VOTING AGAINST YOUR BEST INTEREST © 2013 by Wayne Dan Lewis, Sr.

 VOTING AGAINST YOUR BEST INTEREST

 © 2013 by Wayne Dan Lewis, Sr.

What does it take to get us into a voting booth?  Jobs? Potholes? New schools? The fear of a minority in control? Your best friend from high school?  The possibility that things are going to change, once and for all?  The right to vote is a very private one.  Who we vote for, why we vote for them, or what party we belong to, is really no one’s business.  So if we vote for someone or an issue that someone else doesn’t like, does that constitute voting against our best interest?  Only we who cast our respective votes will know for sure. 

But, as private as voting is, it is a community right as well that those who vote, or who choose not to vote, get a fair and equal opportunity to make their choices.  It is important that nothing, or no one obstructs our right to vote, regardless of how direct or subliminal.  Unfortunately, as many of us know, that is not always the case.  Voting is so important to our American way of life, that there are those who may take the risk of pre-empting the constitution to prevent, or obstruct other American citizens the right to vote.

But on the other hand, there are those of us who choose not to vote.  Why is that?  Yes, it is a private decision, understandably.  But, is it not a valid question? What keeps many of us from voting?  What keeps so many of us, as American citizens, from taking the time to early vote, to send in our absentee ballots, or just showing up at the voting polls?  How many “good excuses” do we have for not participating in the voting process?  In the interest of full disclosure, I have missed a few voting events myself.  My excuses were:

1.  I didn’t like any of the candidates, or,

2.  I put everything that day ahead of voting, and when I finally had the time, it was too late.

But I rarely miss voting.  I know how important it is, and when I have missed the opportunity, on those rare occasions, I felt extremely guilty.

I ask these questions while I reflect on several presidential elections of recent years.  One of those presidential elections that I reflect on is the one in 2000, between former Vice President Al Gore[1] and then former Governor of Texas, George W. Bush[2], which was ultimately determined by the United States Supreme Court.[3]

I also reflect on the Presidential Election of 2008,[4] between then, Senator John McCain of Arizona[5], and then, Senator Barack Obama[6] that ended with America’s first African American President.  And lastly, I reflect on the presidential election of 2012. That election resulted in America’s affirmation of President Obama’s work, by returning him to the presidency

Each of these 3 elections were a remarkable turn of events in American history. 

Many of us were fortunate to not only witness these last 3 presidential events, but to also participate in the voting process that for good or bad, or for better or worse, resulted in that part of American history moving forward.  Many of us were disgruntled, angry, mad, excited, filled with exhilaration, and perhaps, extremely emotional by the results of any one of these events.  And reasonably so.  Many of us voted for what we believed was in our best interest.  Or, did we?  Of course we did, didn’t we?

Let’s see:  We voted in our best interest when we voted either Democrat or Republican; we voted in our best interest whether we voted Liberal or Conservative, and no doubt, we voted in our own best interest when we voted for the first black president from Chicago, IL, as we did when we voted for the POW candidate from Arizona.  We knew that for all we were worth, if we voted, we were voting our in our own best interest, maybe.  What decisions could have made a difference in how we voted in just those 3 presidential elections?  I can only suggest five decisions that could have affected our decisions to vote one way or another, and perhaps, these decisions may have affected our best interest.  Here are the five:

1. Voting along racial lines-   It is without question that many people who voted for President Obama may have not voted for him if he were not black, including non-blacks.  Is that a good thing?  Let’s agree, race is a very important part of our decisions to vote, whether we admit to it or not.  We have been taught this, however subliminally, that in America, only white males can be leaders.  We have been taught, subliminally, that the presidency, for example, should only be held by white males.  The underlying message seems to be that not even white women should run for the presidency.  But through the years, positions of political leadership have gradually eroded from the perception that only white males can hold roles of leadership, especially in our politics, and even in corporations.  Today, because many Americans have registered to vote, and in some cases disagreed with many of the philosophies often promoted by white males in leadership, many Americans, from varying backgrounds, race, creed, religions, and color, sought to promote people from their own communities.  Blacks wanted Blacks to represent their communities; Hispanics wanted Hispanics to represent their communities, and so on, including Asians, Native Americans, and others.  All of whom believed that they could best be represented by someone who looked the most like them. Or, so they believed.   But, history is beginning to show that even those who look like you don’t necessarily have your best interest.  Many of you may disagree, so disagree at will.  The idea of voting someone primarily because they have the same skin color, or perhaps the same sex as you, or even because they have the same religious background, would seem to suggest that we are lazy.  It doesn’t mean that we are lazy, just suggests it, and here is why. 

In today’s world of easily accessible information, the ability to research a candidate’s background and to find our who they truly are, is very important.  If a candidate’s background, or field of experience does nothing to move the community forward, would it make sense to vote for him or her if their only common denominator is that they look like you?  Or, if the only common denominator is that they are from our old high school? Or, if you and they share the same hairdresser?  Voting should seem more important than that, I believe.  Do you disagree?

2. Voting for or against someone whose ideals are inconsistent with a popular issue via “fear-mongering[7]”. When we talk about popular issues, we are speaking about issues such as abortion (Roe v. Wade[8]), the 2^nd Amendment,[9] Affirmative Action[10], or Obamacare[11].  As the 2014 elections come around, the Affordable Healthcare Act[12], or Obamacare will continue to be an issue that Conservatives will target as a taxing issue, literally.  And this not to pick on the Republicans.  (This is not a Republican bashing post, I am an independent.  Democrats are not exempt here).  The fact that Obamacare focuses on preventing insurance companies from dropping those with terminal illnesses, and does not include abortion, is of no consequence.  So, fear-mongering is the order of the day.  The messages seems to be:

“Obamacare must go, or we will be taxed into oblivion!” Or,

“Obamacare must go, or there will be abortions at the ready when Obamacare is fully implemented”, and the fear mongering continues.  

Additionally, the 2^nd Amendment is another hot button issue.  If the President of the United States can be portrayed in any way, shape, or form as having an agenda to “take our weapons”, he will be portrayed as being the president capable of violating, or even repealing the 2^nd Amendment.  As we have all seen, this level of campaigning, “fear mongering” often results in otherwise good, intelligent, law-abiding, God-fearing citizens running for the sporting goods stores, or gun shops buying up every type of weapon and ammunition believing that they will never be able to own a gun again. Or, that every gun that they ever owned will be confiscated, on general principal.   

3. Voting for those who have a history of holding offices, but whose accomplihments are lacking (What have they done for you lately?)-  Our constitution, and our various state and city charters allow us to decide on who to vote for within certain guidelines.  One of those guidelines is term-limits.  Depending on the office, some candidates can almost hold public office for an indeterminable amount of time, or so it seems.  Or, there are candidates who seem to be great at jumping from one office to another, and yet, we vote for them.  No harm, no foul, because it’s legal.  It’s America, and unless there is a violation of law, let’s just go with it.  What harm can come from voting for the same candidates over and over again?  What harm can come from politicians who eventually establish dynasties by their family members occupying any number of offices throughout the community, yet, the community moves forward at a snail’s pace, if at all?  If voting for someone new frightens us, then we should continue to vote for those whose history of success does no more than solidify their future in public office.  Again, no laws are broken, and it is far from unethical that political dynasties exists.  I’m just saying.

4. Voting blindly without researching the background of existing or new candidates-Chronic voting is a good thing, right?  Maybe, but not if chronic voting means we just walk our little happy feet into the voting booth and we haven’t done our homework. It only means self-satisfaction that we are chronic voters if we are doing everything reasonable to ensure that our vote not only counts, but that we are voting responsibly.

5. Not voting at all- It is a big responsibility to vote.  But that responsibility is just as important if, as American citizens, we don’t exercise the right to vote.  People of Color should appreciate this right now more than ever.  The fact that the United States Supreme Court has just ruled to remove certain provisions from the Voting Rights Act of 1965[13] should give People of Color great pause.  The repercussions are yet to come, but they will be coming.  For those of us who choose not to vote, regardless of our heritage, the failure to take advantage of this right is as dangerous as voting for someone who means no good to the values that we hold dear.  How is that?  Think about it.  Not voting is voting.  It is the one time “No” means “Yes”.  By not voting, it gives consent to those whose agenda maybe counter-productive to the community at large, to carry out the very ideals and programs that our vote could have prevented or made possible.  But, it’s our individual choice not to vote, and we have the right not to vote, even it is essentially voting against our own best interest.

Conclusion

These five areas may not apply to any one of us.  But, it is possible that we are influenced by fear mongering.   Or maybe, we do our homework by researching each and every candidate and issue that we vote for.  In either case, we are doing what the constitution allows.  And if we are, then choosing to vote for the same candidates over and over, or candidates who look like us, are the rights that the constitution also provides, and if so, what harm is it?  No harm! No foul!

Maybe, I am over analyzing, and perhaps, I just needed an article to post, but the 2014 mid-term elections are coming up, very quickly.  And then, to be followed up by the 2016 Presidential election.   These elections will be filled with candidates and issues that will no doubt be filled with fear mongering, possible voter suppression activities, as well as the usual array of back-biting, mud-slinging that makes American politics what it is.   What we, as Americans have to decide, is whether to vote for or against anyone who remotely agrees  with abortion, or the taking of our guns in violation of the 2^nd Amendment is really the issue that affects our decisions to vote.  We have to decide how important it is to vote for someone who looks like us because of the color of their skin, or the fact that they are a woman, or whether they have the same sexual orientation, or not.  These elections will be filled with campaign promises from Democrats and Republicans that all but promise the moon, while delivering far short of the stars that either party is willing to fulfill.  Yet, for us to be swayed by any issues that are blatantly untrue, or lacking substance, is in itself, against our best interest. 

Our future generations are depending upon us to draw conclusions about their future based on substantive issues that help them to be successful.  Our future generations can’t be successful if, as in the 2012 Presidential election, voter suppression was running rampant.   Our future generations can’t expect to be successful if we, who have the opportunity to make a positive change in our American society, decide that voting was so insignificant, that not voting was a choice that so many of us make today, and perhaps forfeited the future for the better.  But that’s okay, voting is a private matter, but let’s not forget, it has a public impact.  So, in conclusion, any vote that is not cast, or cast for any reason that is made blindly, and without consideration for what the candidate(s) brings to the table, cannot benefit our community.  Any such vote is a vote made against our best interest, individually, as well as, collectively.  It’s our choice to continue voting as we do, where the end result is for our communities to remain unchanged, and lacking economic benefit in the form of jobs, job training, vital infrastructure improvements, schools, or any other improvements that makes our community a great place to be and live.  It’s our choice to vote, but it’s in our community’s best interest how we all vote.

Disclaimer:  Information deemed to be from reliable sources but not guaranteed.  Consult your respective representatives regarding your community’s future.  No one person, persons living or dead are implied by this posting.  Any incident suggested is coincidental, your situations may vary.

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[1] Vice President Al Gore- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Gore_presidential_campaign,_2000

[2] President George W. Bush- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_W._Bush_presidential_campaign,_2000

[3] Presidential Election 2000- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_election,_2000

[4] Presidential Election 2008- http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/results/president/

3 Presidential Election 2012- http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2012/

[5] Senator John McCain- http://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/

[6] Senator Barack Obama- http://www.biography.com/people/barack-obama-12782369

[7] Fear mongering- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fear_mongering

[8] Roe V. Wade- http://www.pbs.org/wnet/supremecourt/rights/landmark_roe.html

[9] The 2^nd Amendment- http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/second_amendment

[10] Affirmative Action- http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/pdf/sampleaap.pdf

[11] Obamacare- http://obamacarefacts.com/obamacare-facts.php

[12] Affordable Healthcare Act- http://www.yourhealthcaresimplified.org/?utm_source=msn&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=seer_upmc_health+care_exp_national

[13] Voting Rights Act and the U.S. Supreme Court 2013- http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/12pdf/12-96_6k47.pdf

Was Olivia Pope Snubbed from the 50th Anniversary of The March on Washington? 2013 by Wayne Dan Lewis, Sr.

Was Olivia Pope[1] Snubbed from the 50^th Anniversary of The March on Washington?[2] (revised)

© 2013 by Wayne Dan Lewis, Sr.

August 28, 2013 marked the 50^th Anniversary of the March on Washington[3], and Dr. Martin Luther King’s infamous “I Have a Dream” Speech[4].  Many speakers came forward, including two former U.S. Presidents, Bill Clinton[5], and Jimmy Carter[6], and our current President of the United States, Barack Obama[7].  This 50^th year commemoration was organized by the Rev. Al Sharpton and the National Action Network[8], and Martin Luther King, III, President of Realizing the Dream[9], the NAACP[10] and others. This 50th year anniversary theme: Jobs, Justice and Freedom[11], compared to the 1963 March on Washington’s theme: Jobs and Freedom[12], was celebrated over a five day period  culminating on the actual anniversary date, August 28, 2013, where many of thousands had turned out to remember, and commemorate this historical time in American history. 

And you are? Olivia Pope  (ToBusy Gladiating Videos)

            http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=610DBA7EIiw

Common among the speeches was the acknowledgement that while much had been done over the course of the 50 years since Dr. King’s iconic I Have a Dream! Speech, there was the unequivocable (sp?) agreement, that there was still much work to be done.  And, despite the atmosphere of this historical moment, there was a reported snub of the 1^st Black Senator from South Carolina, Tim Scott who was appointed to the office by Governor Nikki Haley. [13]  But perhaps that snub will pale in comparison to another snub.  (Your snub list may differ). This one of a kind, very powerful character maneuvers through Washington, D.C. working among the very powerful and the elite.   Whom: Olivia Pope of Scandal[14] fame. 

She Ain’t Real

Why not invite a very powerful Black woman to speak during this historic event, who has connections within Washington D.C.’s halls of justice, Congress and yes, the White House?  Ridiculous? Or is it?  No, she is not real.  Some might say that one powerful Black woman is enough, in the form of Oprah Winfrey of the OWN network[15]. That to have two super powerful Black women at the Lincoln Memorial would overshadow the message of Justice, Jobs and Freedoms.  But in reality, Oprah, she don’t know nothing, at least, nothing about Washington insider tricks.  She’s just another pretty face for the board rooms and talk tv. 

And while I suggest that Olivia Pope was snubbed, there maybe a good cause why she would not have been considered as one of those to speak before the throngs of thousands between the Lincoln and Washington Memorials. We may all conclude initially, that she isn’t real, but she is powerful as embodied by Kerry Washington.[16]  And if she could be embodied on a weekly tv series where she takes on Washington politics and Washington insiders’ problems, why couldn’t she take on the hopes and dreams of people who, for too long, depend on Washington to provide them justice, jobs and equality?   It is my contention that she should have had this one opportunity.   How much more harm could she do that 50 years since the March on Washington has cost a very important part of the Voting Rights Act of 1965?[17]

Who is Olivia Pope?[18]

In all fairness, we know that besides being a fictional character, we know that she is the creation of Shonda Rhimes, [19] the creator of the ABC hit series, Scandal[20].  The star of this high-powered drama is the very beautiful, and talented, award-winning Kerry Washington.  Portraying the role Olivia Pope, Kerry brings to life a no-holds barred, independent black woman whose major flaw, per the Scandal storyline, is that she is weak for the President of the United States, the leader of the “free-world”.  Or perhaps, the President (Scott Fitzgerald) played by Tony Goldwyn [21] is weak for Olivia Pope?  While this is not a plug for the program, I suggest you tune in and see Whose Zooming Who.[22] 

The real point here is that a fictional character is being suggested as having been overlooked from the lineup of many of this nation’s greatest Civil Rights leaders, and current dignitaries from all across this great country.  How immature, or perhaps, as some may see it, sacrilegious! Or, maybe this is a sad attempt by this writer to make a name for himself.  And perhaps so.  But it is with good intent that Olivia Pope be proposed.  The storyline regarding Olivia Pope, also places her in a role unimaginable by today’s standards.  Although we are in the early 21^st century, women being seen as anything other than as assistants, or second-class citizens by their pay, would hardly be seen as “a fixer”.  A what? A Fixer![23]  What the hell is “a fixer”, surely you ask.  In the Scandal storyline, a fixer is a Crisis Management firm developed by Olivia Pope & Associates[24] apparently designed to help Washington’s elite to put a positive spin on a negative situation for which many Washington’s elite and politicians can relate. 

Although the storyline is based on an actual person within the Washington political belt, to me, the closest to reality that Olivia Pope comes to in my mind, politically, is Donna Bazile,[25] CNN Political Consultant and presidential campaign manger to former Presidential candidate Al Gore[26], and former Vice President to Bill Clinton. That proximity however may not translate to being good enough to being invited to speak on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. for the character of Olivia Pope.  But there remains a strong indication that someone like her was needed to balance the number of speakers who had delivered their various messages of congratulations, and acknowledgements to those who had helped promote Dr. King’s dreams over the past 50 years.  So what could someone like an Olivia Pope have brought to the table, or the mall, as it were?

How does fiction convert to reality?

How often is a fictional character proposed as an alternative to life’s real circumstances?  Perhaps more than we know.  When it comes to real life crime, we can all use a Hulk, Captain America, [27] or Superman[28].  How many young girls fashioned themselves after the “Barbie”[29] doll to make themselves thin or what they are led to believe is attractive?  So proposing that a fictional character such as Olivia Pope have a strategic role, a speaking role, no less, honoring one of America’s most iconic and historical events, may not be a far stretch.

 

Whose to blame?

Section 4 of The Voting Rights Act of 1965 has been gutted with the most recent decision of the United Supreme Court.[30]  If this was all, it maybe okay.  But also note that in October, 2013,  the U.S. Supreme Court will hear the case of Fischer v the University of Texas.[31]. These two cases are indicative of what is to come.  And while it appears to be racially motivated, many Americans don’t understand how many of the rights that were rescinded were done so against People of Color.  The fights for those rights were by Whites and People of Color, and subsequently by women (the 19^th Amendment[32]) who fought for the right to vote, and subsequent to that, people who were handicapped (ADA[33]); those with families and children [34], and most recently, those who are LGBT[35].  Whatever rights that are generally guaranteed by the Constitution are constantly in play, and before long, as many of us believe that it is the responsibility of someone else to ensure our rights, those rights will be gone, in totality.  Whose to blame?  We all are, because we believed that our rights, while guaranteed, are rock solid, and nothing is more closer to incorrect.  Rights must be fought for all the time. 

“What is your end game?” Harrison to Olivia Pope (ScandalousGladiators Videos)

            http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIzVgdgQ4uI

We need an Olivia Pope, someone who dares us to sleep, dares us to dream; someone who will not hold our hand and coddle us while our rights are being taken away.  We need an Olivia Pope who will treat us like the Gladiators that surround her, and will give us our marching orders, and will expect nothing less than our best while we actively pursue our dreams, but don’t take for granted the rights that are constantly being attacked.

Harrison Wright: 101-Scandal (ABC Network Video)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OGIWQ-ec_E

WWOPS or, What Would “Olivia Pope” Say?

The character created by Shonda Rhimes, is no doubt, in my mind, Shonda Rhimes herself.  The character personified by Kerry Washington as Olivia Pope, is not just the actress portraying a woman caught up in a tumultuous love affair with the President of the United States, she is, as a Crisis Manager, managing a crew of professionals whom she refers to as her Gladiators[36].  Whether Olivia Pope is the voice of Shonda Rimes or the embodiment of Kerry Washington, she appears to be every person who has ever wanted to stand for something, or stand up to someone when it came to their future.  But, that in itself could be the very reason why Olivia Pope would not be invited to this historical event. 

However, if she were allowed to stand at the podium, on this historical moment, here is what I envision.  As she is flanked by her “Gladiators” (Harrison Wright, played by Columbus Short[37]; Abby Whelan played by Darby Stanchfield[38]; Huck played by Guillermo Diaz[39]; Quinn Perkins/Lindsay Dwyer played by Katie Lowes[40]), Olivia Pope would look out over the thousands of attendees and would remind them/us of these important things, in keeping with the theme of  pursuing Jobs and Freedom:

v     The Constitution of the United States[41] is a living breathing document.  We know that it is living because despite being born in 1776, it’s most recent Amendment was at least in 1992[42];

v     The Constitution of the United States guarantees every American the right to life, liberty and (the right) to pursue happiness[43], it’s not an option;

v     The right to pursue happiness means that we are not to be coddled, or have our hands held, hoping that our rights will always be there;

v      We are to be reminded that everyday is the pursuit of happiness in these United States, that everyday is the pursuit of liberty and that everyday is the pursuit of fulfilling our dreams. Why is this important? Because, conversely, everyday someone is working to take away those very rights, guaranteed by the United States Constitution;

v     We are to be reminded that everyday someone is working just as hard to place a tourniquet around the 14^th Amendment, the 15^th Amendment, the 1^st Amendment, and/or the 2^nd Amendment.  Many of those who are working everyday to suspend or rescind those rights are right here within the Continental United States, and, who are just as protected as each one of us by the same Constitution to diminish, or eliminate our rights;

v     The challenge to each and everyone of us, is not to come back 50 years from now, whining and complaining about the rights we lost because we sat back, laid back, or stood on the sidelines and watched each one of our rights get taken away;

v     The challenge before us, from this day forward, is not to come back to this hallowed place again to commemorate what happened in 1963 unless there are victories to celebrate.

v     No one should ever gather at this hallowed place 50 years from now unless or until, every American can rest assured that each and every right guaranteed by the Constitution is secured; that each and every citizen of the United States can wake up each day having truly achieved the American dream.

v     Until then, no one sleeps, takes a break; no one looks for a leg up, or a hand out.  Everyone must pull their own weight, everyday, and every time their rights to freedom is challenged, or threatened;

v     Whether by phone, carrier pigeon, letter writing campaign, or telegraph, everyone is responsible for securing the rights afforded by the United States Constitution;

v     Finally, the United States Constitution continues to breathe because of the men and women of our United States Armed Forces, who fight for the freedoms that many of us enjoy, but not only that, what many of us also take for granted.  But that does not mean that we, as American citizens, stand at Parade Rest while political and community leaders stiff-arm us only to carry out an agenda that puts each and everyone of us at odds with the very thing that the Constitution prescribes-life, liberty and (the right) to pursue happiness.  The Constitution is interactive, and therefore requires that we as citizens all take an active role in its longevity by standing up everyday for all that it provides.

Whether Olivia Pope would have said anything remotely close to the above points will be up for a debate (for no more than a minute).  But why would anyone who may have said something to this effect not be a speaker at the 50^th anniversary of the March on Washington?  Here is why?

Olivia Pope does not have that nurturing nature that many citizens have been led to believe is what political leaders and community activists seem to incorporate into their leadership strategy.  She does not do that lead from the rear, or puts you on hold while she achieves her own success, while your success is seemingly far out of reach. From my perspective, Olivia Pope has the all hands on deck approach to achieving our individual and our collective dreams, leaving no one behind.  She holds everyone accountable and she does not entertain excuses for failure. 

“We owe her”- Harrison to Abby (Scandalous Gladiators Videos) 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZfWeUvfXys

Olivia Pope is real!

Yes, she is as real as Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy.  Olivia Pope is as real as her creator, Shonda Rhimes; as real as Kerry Washington the actress who personifies the character, herself.  Olivia Pope is as real as the rights that many of us take for granted, but don’t register to vote, or vote at all.  She is as real as the political leaders whom we continue to put in office term after term, and complain because there is grid-lock in Congress;  Olivia Pope is as real as the sponsors that pour millions of dollars into the commercials that promote the Scandal program.  The reality is that for all intent and purposes, as we have come to know it, reality is not really appreciated.  We have been taught or led to believe that everyone else knows what is best for us.  And for our own failure to standup to those who mislead us, we don’t get the privilege of an Olivia Pope.  She, nor anyone who remotely resembles her, will be allowed to speak from so hallowed a place, and challenge us to stand up for our Constitutional Rights.  But, I have been known to be wrong.

Conclusion

When Dr. King was shot in 1968,[44] my father was in the hospital.  He was recovering from an appendix surgery.  On that night, my mother Sarah, and Aunt Polly received word from a neighbor that in response to Dr. King’s assassination, there would be retaliatory actions against anyone who did not tie a black rag on their doors or fences.  My mother hurried and found a scarf and tied it to the fence in our front yard.  Very shortly thereafter, we saw men down the street trying to set fire to a corner store.  We hurried inside  and through a side door to our backyard and climbed a fence to our neighbor, Ms. Annie Mae Spain, whose husband had already past.  That’s all I remember about that night.  My young years are a vague recollection of assassinations of President John F. Kennedy[45], his brother, Robert F. Kennedy at the Democratic National Convention[46], Malcolm X,[47] and Dr. King.  I share these brief memories to let you know that I understand the seriousness of the situation of the March on Washington (1963 and 2013).  As I suggest a fictional character as having been snubbed at the 50^th anniversary of the March on Washington, I don’t do it lightly.

Men and women are still dying today for the very rights that are on the chopping block before the Supreme Court.  But too, young people are dying at by gun violence, by their own hands as well as adults. To suggest that a fictional character has a better message than many of those who stand before us, is to suggest that the seriousness of these times are lost on young people who are content to wear their pants below their butts; that the seriousness of these times are lost on young people who believe that drugs, guns and domestic violence are more important than the rights that are being shredded right before our very eyes; that the seriousness of these times are being lost on many of our young people who fail to realize that schools are being closed, and training opportunities that are no longer provided are the basis for more jails to be built and to ultimately have a society  that does not question, that does not think for itself, or a society that will have less of a role in the selection of its leaders who are capable of actually leading.

Yes, Olivia Pope is fictional.  But she is the closest to what used to be the kind of leadership that many of us can only dream of today when it comes to securing many of the rights that are being hacked up, repealed, or watered-down.  Maybe we don’t need an Olivia Pope, but hopefully there is an alternative that is damn close, and she, or he, won’t take a leadership role unless we register to vote, actually vote and hold accountable those who represent the very best of what the Constitution of the United States guarantees: Life, Liberty and (the right to the) pursuit of happiness.  Maybe its time we become Gladiators- Gladiators in a suit[48].  Correct me, if I am wrong.

Scandal Quote:

“We do. Not. Give. Up.” Olivia Pope[49]

Disclaimer:  All information provided here is deemed to be from reliable sources but are not guaranteed.  No endorsements are implied, suggested or paid for in this posting.  Please consult your respective political representative if you have any questions.  Register to vote.  VOTE!

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[1] Olivia Pope?: http://scandal.wikia.com/wiki/Olivia_Pope

[2] “I Have a Dream” by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. March on Washington 1963- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smEqnnklfYs

[3] 50^th Anniversary of the March On Washington- http://www.cnn.com/2013/08/24/us/march-on-washington

[4] Dr. Martin  Luther King’s I Have a Dream Speech: http://www.archives.gov/press/exhibits/dream-speech.pdf

[5] President Bill Clinton-  http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/williamjclinton/

[6] President Jimmy Carter-  http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/jimmycarter/

[7] Barack Obama-  http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/president-obama/

[8] Rev Al Sharpton and National Action Network- http://nationalactionnetwork.net/

[9] Martin Luther King, III and Realizing the Dream- http://realizingthedream.ua.edu/

[10] NAACP-  http://www.naacp.org/

[11] Theme for March on Washington 1963: https://abagond.wordpress.com/2013/08/19/march-on-washington-1963/

[12] March on Washington 1963-Jobs and Freedom- http://www.suntimes.com/news/jackson/21891194-452/kings-march-was-for-jobs-and-freedom.html

[13] http://redalertpolitics.com/2013/08/28/nations-only-black-senator-not-invited-to-speak-at-march-on-washington/

[14] Scandal- http://tv.yahoo.com/shows/scandal/

[15] Oprah Winfrey- http://www.oprah.com/own/shows.html

[16] Kerry Washington- http://www.kerrywashington.com/

[17] Voting Rights Act of 1965- http://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=old&doc=100

[18] Inspiration for Olivia Pope- http://www.wjla.com/articles/2012/04/judy-smith-the-inspiration-for-scandal-s-olivia-pope-interviewed-by-cynn-simpson-74627.html

[19] Shonda Rhimes-  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shonda_Rhimes

[20] Scandal- http://abc.go.com/shows/scandal

[21] Tony Goldwyn- http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/scandal-spoilers-fitz-jake-olivia-tony-goldwyn-423394

[22] Aretha Franklin-Whose Zoomin- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HwF8VoyKU4  

[23] Inspired by the life of Judy Smith (Scandal Storyline)- http://www.wcvb.com/news/entertainment/-Professional-fixer-s-life-premise-for-ABC-drama-Scandal/-/9848582/17010694/-/3via01z/-/index.html

[24] Olivia Pope & Associates- http://thefixer-oliviapope.tumblr.com/

[25] Donna Bazile- http://donnabrazile.com/

[26] Al Gore- http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/02/us/al-gore-fast-facts

[27] Hulk and Captain America- Marvel Comics- http://marvel.com/

[28] Superman- DC Comics- http://www.dccomics.com/

[29] Barbie- Mattel Toys-  http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images?_adv_prop=image&fr=yfp-t-900&va=Barbie+doll

[30] Voting Rights Act Gutted- http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2013/07/25/2353251/florida-voter-purge-resumes-after-voting-rights-act/

[31]Fisher vs the University of Texas- http://annotations.jonesmcclure.com/2013/03/29/supreme-court-grants-cert-in-affirmative-action-repeal-case/

[32] The 19^th Amendment- http://womensissues.about.com/od/19thamendment/f/19thAmendment.htm

[33] Americans with Disability Act As Amended- http://www.ada.gov/pubs/ada.htm

[34] Discrimination against Families with Children- http://www.legalmatch.com/law-library/article/family-status-discrimination-in-housing.html

[35] Discrimination against LGBT Act- https://www.aclu.org/lgbt-rights/employment-non-discrimination-act-statement

[36] Olivia Pope’s Gladiators- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZfWeUvfXys

[37] Columbus Short- http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1551922/bio

[38] Darby Stanchfield- http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1581670/bio 

[39] Guillermo Diaz-  http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0246585/bio

[40] Katie Lowes-  http://celebritytoob.com/actress/katie-lowes/

[41] The United States Constitution- http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution_amendments_11-27.html

[42] 27^th Amendment to the Constitution- http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution_amendments_11-27.html

[43] The Declaration of Independence- http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration_transcript.html

[44] The Assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King- http://history1900s.about.com/cs/martinlutherking/a/mlkassass.htm

[45]  The Assassination of President John F. Kennedy-  http://www.jfklibrary.org/JFK/JFK-in-History/November-22-1963-Death-of-the-President.aspx

[46]  The Assassination of Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy-  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assassination_of_Robert_F._Kennedy

[47]  The Assassination of Malcolm X- http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/malcolm-x-assassinated

[48] Gladiators in a Suit- http://scandalmoments.com/category/gladiators-in-a-suit/

[49] Scandal Quotes- http://abcscandalfans.com/gladiator-extras/quotes/