Urban Thought Collective

Teach them to your children and to their children after them. (Deuteronomy 4:9b)

I am so encouraged by the four-part TVOne series “Murder in Black and White” hosted by Al Sharpton, that takes a look into four notorious and racially motivated murders of the deep south.

Most especially moving to me, in lieu of the national push for voter registration for this coming election 2008, was the episode that examined the case surrounding the cold blooded murder of voter registration activist Lamar “Ditney” Smith, in 1955.

A 63-year-old black farmer, World War II veteran and organizer of black voter registration, Smith was shot to death in broad daylight on the lawn of the Lincoln County courthouse in Brookhaven, Mississippi, where he drove a couple so they could turn in their absentee ballots for a county election. There were a number of witnesses to this murder, but of course none of them came forward. His murder was one of several racially motivated attacks in Mississippi during 1955.

To all my peeps who happen to read this blog, and have not registered to vote, to you who may be feeling apathetic about the political process, or the dis-interested one who doesn’t care about whom our next President will be, please be reminded our rights today were paid for in blood in the past. To all my sistahs and my brothas who feel you just don’t have the time or don’t want to make the effort or time to register to vote, please be reminded our rights today were paid for in blood in the past.

I know we’ve heard this over and over again, that someone died so we could vote; but sometimes we need to be reminded of the sacrifices made so we don’t forget how we got this far! This is the intimation in the text when God instructed the older generation from Israel’s nation…to teach the children the laws of God and the story of their Exodus (coming out of slavery in Eqypt) and into liberation with God. This command was given so their children and generations to follow would know and understand how they got this far and into the Promise Land.

To date, McCain, Palin and the entire Republican party are currently scratching their heads in fear and disbelief and asking themselves “How did we get to the place in America where a black man has a probable and highly likely opportunity to be President of the USA in 2008?” Because someone like Lamar Smith died for the cause. Because someone like Lamar Smith and countless others stood up and voiced We Shall Be Counted and encouraged others to register to vote and cast their ballot.

Therefore, let us be reminded of the price paid for our rights today and the awesome responsibility before us. What we make happen this day will be in the history books of tomorrow!

Najuma Smith is a preacher, world traveler, writer, and proud parent. She currently serves as the full-time Sr. Pastor of St. James AME Church in Los Angeles. Unapologetically saved and full of purpose, she enjoys sharing words of encouragement with anyone who will listen, bringing a fresh look at life in light of the Word of God. Her collection of motivations and observations are exclusive to Urban Thought Collective. Visit her at www.myspace.com/revjuju.