“Through many dangers, toils, and snares, we have already come…”
In 1772 John Newton penned those words of the famous hymn Amazing Grace. “Dangers, toils, and snares,” aptly describes the journey of people of African descent winning the right to vote. From the dangers of slave rebellions, the toils of a civil war, and snares of the civil rights movement, the path to voting has not been easy.
Each time I am given the opportunity to cast my ballot I am reminded that I carry with me countless ancestors who were denied this basic right. I vote faithfully for those who could not. I vote faithfully for those who risked their lives at lunch counters and protests. I vote faithfully for my ancestors who were accounted as property and who couldn’t dream or imagine the awesome responsibility of casting a vote in shaping the future. I vote faithfully for the generations that will come after me.
On November 5, 2024, as with every election since I turned 18, I will get up, dress up, and show up at my polling place to cast my vote. My son will be with me. I want him to know that voting is not something I take lightly. I want him to know that when he is old enough that he has a responsibility to vote because his ancestors could not. I want him to know that voting is about living our faith and born out of the desire for a different future. I want him to know that in the simple yet powerful act of voting I am doing my part to move our nation a bit closer to doing justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly with our God.
Through many dangers, toils, and snares I will vote!
This reflection is part of our Vote Faithfully series. We encourage you to learn more and get resources:
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