YOU ARE NOT INTO POLITICS, BUT POLITICS IS INTO YOU
By: Bro. Dexter Egleston and Bro. Clovis Honore
Voter participation and the protection of voting rights have always been of paramount importance to the Black community. Since its founding in 1906, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., has been at the forefront of the Civil Rights Movement and has a long history of working to increase voter education and participation among African Americans. This article will examine the legacy of Alpha Phi Alpha's voter engagement in San Diego and the current state of voting representation in the region. In addition, we will discuss the activities and initiatives that Zeta Sigma Lambda Chapter can undertake to promote voter participation in San Diego and the impact these efforts can have on the community. The objective is to encourage Alpha men in San Diego to take action and become more involved in voter engagement efforts.
African American voters have a long and complex history in San Diego, California. The first African American settlers arrived in San Diego in the 1850s and faced significant challenges in exercising their right to vote, including discrimination and prejudice. Despite these challenges, African Americans in San Diego formed political organizations, such as the San Diego Negro Democratic Club, to advocate for their voting rights and push for political representation.
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the Civil Rights Movement helped African American voters in San Diego gain greater political power and representation. This led to the election of the first African American city council member in 1971 and the establishment of the Martin Luther King Jr. Democratic Club, which continues to advocate for African American political engagement.
In recent years, African American voters in San Diego have played an important role in shaping the city's political landscape and have continued to work towards increasing their representation and influence in local government. Despite some progress, challenges remain, including a low voter turnout among African American voters, as well as persistent disparities in access to education, employment, and other opportunities.
A Voteless People is a Hopeless People
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., has a long history of voter participation in the United States, and Zeta Sigma Lambda Chapter intends to continue this tradition in San Diego. Since its inception, the fraternity has been dedicated to voter education and registration. "A Voteless People is a Hopeless People" was initiated as a National Program of the fraternity in the 1930s aimed to increase the voting strength and education of African Americans. During that time, it was a significant effort to combat the numerous obstacles African Americans faced when attempting to vote, such as poll taxes, threats of retaliation, and lack of education about the voting process. Since its inception, the program has focused primarily on registering and educating African American voters. Alpha chapters all over the country have taken advantage of this program's lasting impact to increase voter turnout.
