Institutionalized racism has kept people of color oppressed throughout both the best and worse times of our country’s history. It has remained a constant that’s varied in intensity but is nonetheless significantly damaging.

There have been monumental moments in our country’s history in which racial issues could no longer be ignored and action took place — moments such as the decree of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1865 and the passing of the Civil Rights Act in 1964. Our generation could once again fight for another moment, another chance for monumental change.

The past two years has brought forth heightened awareness of police brutality and violence against black people. We all face the unbearable truth that racism still thrives in our country. We’ve written and read articles breaking down racism in America. We’ve attended the protests and the rallies. But that’s not enough to bring about change in America. We’ve made progress with educating the public. Now let’s make sure this is turned into true change — change within the system.

But when will this actually happen? 

Race issues have always been put on the backburner and people of color are told that we must wait for bigger issues to be solved before they get to be heard. Yet we rarely get our turn to be heard. There should not be an excuse to ignore our issues altogether. We can wait no longer for our problems to be resolved. Because if it is not solved now, when will they ever be addressed? We need a president and elected officials who will recognize that our lives matter and keep our best interests in mind.

This is where I urge you to actually vote in 2016.

Many people argue that they are just one person, that their vote doesn’t matter, or that they don’t want to support any of the candidates because they hate all of them. But this isn’t the answer to our problems. Let’s face it, if we want to make change happen we need to force the hand of our elected officials and make it so that the law can be on our side. This won’t happen if you don’t vote.

See, the demographics that vote the most consistently and in large numbers are whites, citizens over the age of 65, and citizens with incomes of $75,000. And let’s face it, this demographic is typically more conservative. And conservative politicians rarely prioritize the rights of people of color and the issues that affect us.

I’m not standing here preaching that our elected officials will push for policies that will better the country for our people on their own. What I’m saying is that it’s a whole lot easier to convince someone who doesn’t relentlessly support policies that indirectly hurt minorities than someone who does.

So when faced with two politicians that you are not to fond of, you might as well pick the lesser of two evils. I mean, would you rather have an alright representative or president, or one that will bring forth some serious damage and completely disregard the voices of minorities?

So when you are doubting your voting power, just remember what happened in 2008 and 2012 when people of color actually went to the polls. We can make a difference.

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