Jeff Delp's Blog
The Georgia Primary / Feb 3, 10:10 PM
This Tuesday Georgians will get a chance to go to the polls and vote in either the Republican or Democratic primaries for the President of the United States. Much has been said about the Democratic candidates being either the first African-American candidate or the first female candidate to be nominated by one of the two major parties. Truly, either scenario will be a historic occasion and one that the country should pride itself in even if you disagree with their political views.
Something that gets lost in the shuffle of the media blitz on this campaign is that just 50 years ago an African-American could not even vote in a Democratic primary in the south, let alone be the candidate on the ballot. Up until the 1950’s, Democratic primaries were considered “white only” events. The Democratic party claimed that the primaries were “private club” events and thus they were able to be segregated. Because the Republicans were seen as the party more sympathetic to the causes of African-Americans up until the 1950’s and early 60’s, they did not have much support amongst white southerners. Hence, the Democratic Primary often stood as the de-facto general election for Georgians, and states all across the south. This meant that African-Americans who were eligible to vote, which were few in numbers to begin with, were even more disenfranchised.
Today, 50 years after the voting laws of the south began to be changed to allow more freedom in voting, an African-American man has his name listed on the ballot of the Democratic Party. This is truly an amazing accomplishment and a testimony to where we have come as a country. However, we should not, and can not afford to forget the past. A past that many of our neighbors, parents, and grandparents can vividly recall through events that they have lived through. A past that saw a system keep people from exercising their right to vote simply because of the color of their skin.
So if you vote in the Georgia primary, or any other southern primary this week, or in the coming months ahead, be it either the Democratic or the Republican primary, take a moment to reflect on what is transpiring in this election. Take a moment to reflect on both how far we have come in healing our racial divide and also how far we still have to go. This is truly a historic election, particularly for those of us living in the south, and it is an event that I hope to reflect upon as I cast my ballot on Tuesday.
- This is in no way an endorsement of any candidate for political office.
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