By Andrea Boyd
Ah, another anticipated election year has arrived yet again. The time where Americans become more political than ever and debate about which candidate will be better suited to lead the country fills the air. For many Americans, voting is a rite of passage and a way to have their voices heard, for others, it is a responsibility to ensure their part is done to help make a difference in the world. Nevertheless, it has not always been this way. The narrative of voting is determined by the electoral college and left up to the states to decide. Yet, not everyone’s voice was heard throughout time. Let’s explore the voting history and how it has changed over the years:
- 1776- voting reserved for white males who owned property and were over 21
- 1868- 14th Amendment passed allowing slaves citizenship. This did not mean they were given the opportunity to vote. States still had control over this.
- 1870- 15th Amendment passed allowing citizens to vote regardless of race, but measures were still taken to prevent African Americans from voting.
- 1887- Assimilation given to Native Americans for the right to vote under the condition their tribal affiliations were given up.
- 1920- Right to vote extended to women. the 19th Amendment also passed.·
- 1952- The Immigration and Nationality Act passed revising U.S. immigration laws and allowing people of Asian ancestry the right to become citizens.
- 1961- 23rd Amendment passed giving Washington DC the right to vote presidential.
- 1965- Voting rights Act passed prohibiting states from imposing discriminatory restrictions regarding voting. Any man or woman 21 years or older can vote. the 24th Amendment also ratified prohibiting poll taxes. This included the banning of literacy testing.
- 1971- 26th Amendment passed allowing 18-year-olds to vote. If you can fight in war, you can now vote!
- 1984-Federal Voting Accessibility For the Elderly and Handicapped Act passed requiring polling places to have more accessible voting systems.
- 1993- National Voter Registration Act passed making registering for voting easier and available at State motor vehicle agencies, by mail, as well as at state and local offices.
- 2000- U.S. territories (Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa) granted citizenship but still cannot vote due to the Electoral College system.
- 2001-Debate over whether felons should be allowed to vote. Still a great debate whether or not to reinstate.
(timeline retrieved from Washington Secretary of State, n.d.)
Look at the following progression, times have definitely changed. Quite frankly, the narrative needed to shift, and it should continue shifting. In 2020, any ethnicity, gender, or creed can now voice their opinion at the polls and help make a difference in history if he/she chooses.
Why? Times are different and Heraclitus said it best, “the only constant in life is change”. Without change or progress in the world, we would not be as advanced as we are today. The lack of change can result in no unity, innovation, creativity, appreciation for diversity, or additional opportunities for the future.
Yet, why is change the hardest to conquer and accept? People fear that if change occurs their own comfort will be compromised. However, as a society, we shall not fear! “Fear is an intervening variable between sets of context-dependent stimuli and suites of behavioral response” and “links sets of stimuli to patterns of behavior” (Adolphs, 2013). Fear by itself can cause an individual to make irrational decisions, pivot away, or even become stuck in the same frame of mind. As Americans, we must push fear out, embrace the power of our voice, and have the courage to make a choice.
The time is NOW for the narrative to shift and transform an equitable and inclusive environment, where all are represented. REAL accountability from each citizen of this nation is what is needed to begin fostering a change. It is not just for our current reality, but for our children who will continue to carry the narrative, into the future.
Time is of the essence. Let’s not be afraid to speak out about the changes that need to be made nor continue to conform to the norm society has placed on us. Stepping out from deindividualization to individualization is the first step (Gould, 2019). It may seem difficult, but having your own mind and the willingness to spark a change not only in self but the community is doable. Remember this as we not only take the time to vote for a leader of America but make sure we are our own leaders making a positive impact on society.
I leave you with this, “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples”- Mother Teresa. This is how we begin to shift the narrative. By taking it one mind at a time.
The Narrative Shift 