I can remember it like it was yesterday. My dad was 92 years old in 2008; he was illiterate, meaning he could not read or write. Yet he was determined to go to the Wyandotte County Election Office at 850 State Ave., Kansas City, Kansas, to cast his vote. I said, “Daddy, you want me to help you?” He said, “No. I know Bama.” When we got there, the line was long. He shuffled up the sidewalk, and the people made my heart pitter-patter because they all moved aside to let him get in front of them.

In November 2012, during another election period, my daddy, due to his health, cast an absentee ballot. While he lay in bed, I sat and listened to the manual clock tick on the wall, waiting for the election results with my earphones to avoid disturbing him. I calmly said, “Daddy, President Obama won the election.” My dad pulled himself up into a sitting position on his elbows and said, “Lynda, how do you know that?” I said, “I just heard it on my phone.” He proceeded to tell me, “Don’t you tell me that there isn’t a God, that a black man can come here in chains and win the highest office in the country.” He lay back down and died peacefully on December 27, 2012.

You see, my father was a World War II Veteran. He fought against fascism in 1942-44. He was a truck driver on the Red Ball Express, from Normandy through the Battle of the Bulge to Germany. When he returned his truck, it had 76 holes in it from shrapnel and bullets. He had shrapnel in his leg, too, but he never got his Purple Heart, and not that we didn’t try. My father understood the importance of how far black people have come. The thought that this country is trying to eliminate any representation of who and what black people have done for this country causes me to write, to try, and persuade people to rethink their positions on the power that perhaps one might think they do not have, but that is not true.

This time is a season when I want people to wake up and know that our power lies in our vote. I watched as I traveled to Ecuador. Ecuador has a mandatory voting system; citizens who fail to vote receive a fine. It’s my understanding that people who receive any benefit will lose that benefit if they don’t vote. To facilitate universal voting, elections are on Sundays, and everyone must participate. They take voting seriously, with flags, horns, celebration, and a day dedicated to understanding the importance of citizenship.

Did you know that failing to vote affects not only the people who don’t vote, but also those who do? Non-participation can alter election outcomes at all levels of government, creating a system that disproportionately benefits those who do vote. What’s that old saying, “One bad apple can affect the bunch?” Therefore, I am responsible for voting, and in my opinion, so is everyone else. 

A glance at the three branches of government: the legislative, executive, and judicial. It’s essential to understand their functions. If civics classes were lacking, and often in the inner city school district, black children have and continue to lack the bare necessities to have a quality education. I believe the more I educate myself on who is responsible for what, the greater the likelihood I won’t get hoodwinked by lies that come at us from all angles, such as the news and social media. Did you know that people get paid to spread lies? That is why it is imperative to understand for oneself.

I am old enough to understand that here in the U.S., Republicans do not want everyone voting; otherwise, they would not be redistricting areas where the states lean towards blue states. It’s called gerrymandering. It’s sad to watch the outrageous stealing of fair elections because, in my opinion, otherwise Republicans would be obsolete. I hope people get to a place sooner rather than later to understand that we have the power to change our circumstances and keep the power.

On November 4, 2025, a Special Election was held. It doesn’t matter if the election has one question or multiple questions; I make time to vote in every election because it matters. There is also absentee voting. If you need help, ask at the Missouri Election Board (816.842.4820), the Wyandotte County Election Board (913.573.8500), or the Johnson County Election Board (913.715.6800).

The season change is upon us, the leaves turn and fall, the gentle rain turns into sleet and snow, and our bodies can welcome the newness of change. Allow ourselves to take a risk, do something different. If you do not vote, start. If you do vote—continue. Pass on the importance to others; be the light in someone’s darkness.