FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 6, 2024
Brandon Bell/Getty Images
As the sun has set on another Election Day, we pause to recognize the profound significance of what it means to vote as Black people in America. Today and every day, our vote is our voice—our collective statement that we refuse to be silenced, that our futures are worth fighting for, and that our power is real.
The history of Black communities and voting rights in this country is steeped in struggle and resilience. We know what it means to fight for the right to be counted, to be respected, to have a say in a system that has, time and again, tried to shut us out. Our ancestors risked everything for this right: facing violence, threats, and impossible barriers. We honor that legacy by showing up to the polls and making our voices heard, knowing that this hard-won right is our greatest weapon in the pursuit of equality.
Today, the stakes for Black communities have never been higher. We are at a pivotal moment where our health, our safety, our children’s futures, and our ability to thrive hang in the balance. This election season, we voted to defend maternal health and ensure our mothers and babies receive the care they need. We voted for quality education that uplifts our children and provides them with the tools to succeed. We demanded police accountability and criminal justice reform, fighting to keep our communities safe and our loved ones protected from unjust systems. These issues, and many more, were on the ballot, and we cannot afford to be silent.
Our democracy, though imperfect, requires us to engage, to remain active, and to speak out. It is a system that we must continually shape and mold to serve the needs of our people. We are called to safeguard democracy not only for ourselves but for the generations that will come after us. To do this, we must remain vigilant, ready to use our voice and our vote to demand justice and equity.
As we look ahead, the New Jersey gubernatorial race in 2025 looms large. It will be another critical moment for Black voters to influence the direction of our state. We must prepare now, understanding that our work is ongoing, and the issues we care about—maternal health, education, criminal justice, and beyond—will continue to be on the ballot.
The NAACP New Jersey State Conference remains unwavering in our commitment to this fight. We know that when we fight, we win. No matter who sits in the governor’s office or holds political power, our work will not cease. We will stay engaged, advocating for the policies that uplift Black communities and demanding that our needs be met. Our fight is far from over, and we will not rest until our voices are heard.
Together, we carry forward the spirit of our ancestors, the strength of our communities, and the hope for a better, more just future. We are in this fight, and we are here to win.
Richard T. Smith
NAACP New Jersey State Conference President
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