On March 7, 1965 this nation and the world witnessed the unprovoked and vicious attack on peaceful "Negroes" (we were not African Americans nor Blacks back then) demonstrating for their right to vote. This attack came at the hands of hateful and malicious white Alabama state troopers, while the demonstrators were trying to cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama.

The attacks on these peaceful and non-violent demonstrators showed Congress, President Johnson, America and the world the extent of violence that white segregationists would employ to keep "Negroes" from voting in America. As a direct result of this unprovoked and vicious attack we "Negroes" were given the 1965 Voting Rights Act. In 1982 Congress extended Section 4 of the Act for twenty-five years, which is scheduled to expire in 2007.

During the past 22 years the majority population of Augusta, Georgia has been African American. And during this same period, African Americans have unsuccessfully campaigned to elect a second African American Mayor in the history of Augusta. There are two primary reasons for these unsuccessful attempts to elect a second African American Mayor in a city with a majority African American population.

First and foremost, the majority of eligible African Americans do not vote. They don't care that untold thousands of our people were beaten and lynched both physically and economically so that we, their children and grandchildren can vote and make a difference in not only our lives, but in the lives of our children's children.

The second reason that Augusta, Georgia has only had one African American Mayor is because in every election for Mayor, we African Americans have systematically and consistently defeated ourselves. Our self-defeating behavior consists of having two or more African American candidates running against each other, thus splitting/diluting the African American vote.

Because of this dilution of the African American voting strength, coupled with the fact that the majority of us don't vote, the white candidates would either win in the general elections or the run-off elections.

This past election for Mayor was no different than any other election in Augusta. There were two African American candidates running and it was obvious to all that Interim Mayor Willie Mays was the strongest and most qualified candidate. However, Helen Blocker-Adams said that God told her to run for Mayor (which was her right), so being obedient to her God (whom ever he or she is) she intentionally diluted and split the African American votes, resulting in a run-off election to be held on December 6th.

True to form, the white loser of the general election, Tommy Boyles, without any hesitation immediately gave his support to Deke Copenhaver, a white political newcomer even though he claimed to be a friend to Interim Mayor Mays. Also true to form, Helen Blocker-Adams is supporting Deke and she wants all of us to believe that it is not about race.

On the contrary, it is all about race because race truly matters. Therefore I placed Helen's statement denying that her decision was based on race in the same toilet that I place the statement from some whites that insultingly and ignorantly believe they are paying me a compliment by saying that "when they see me, they don't see my race."

The Willie Lynch syndrome is alive and well in America in general and Augusta, Georgia in particular. Willie Lynch's slave manifesto said, "You must use the female slave vs. the male slave." He also said, "But it is necessary that your slaves trust and depend on us. THEY MUST LOVE, RESPECT AND TRUST ONLY US."

On November 17th I attended a political forum where Deke Copenhaver played both race and religious cards. He repeatedly bragged about attending African American churches as well as a family reunion in Sunset homes unescorted and felt totally safe. He also boasted that when asked by his father in-law about his experiences visiting "us," he said he told him that we were no different than they were.

Deke also promises, if elected, that his primary focus "will be to bring the two communities together." Yeah! Right! Besides, there is no way that the "two communities" can come together because the African American community can't come together with itself!

On November 21st Mr. James Brown had his annual turkey give-away and over 1000 people (mostly African Americans) began lining up at 4:30 AM in the cold and rain to get a free $8.00 frozen turkey. They did not need to organize transportation or receive special instructions on how to stand in line for hours and beg for this free $8.00 frozen turkey.

We are told that only about 30% of the registered voters voted on November 8. That means out of those 1000 people standing in line for hours in the cold and rain, for a free $8.00 frozen turkey only about 300 might have voted. So why all the hoopla about renewing the 1965 Voting Rights Act if less than a third of us are willing to vote?

I personally believe that this concern about the expiration of the Voting Rights Act is merely a smoke screen anyway. First of all, as an American citizen and a veteran, I'd like to see someone tell me that I can't vote because the Voting Rights Act has expired. I would immediately explain to them that it matters not about the Voting Rights Act because the U.S. Constitution, the 14th and 15th Amendments and the Bill Of Rights guarantee me the same rights and privileges of every citizen in America.

Second, the Voting Rights Act is a psychological stigma, which is being attached to African Americans, which says that we're inferior and still in need of "special legislation" because we're not full citizens.

It is long overdue for African Americans to stop requiring/requesting special treatment as though we are inferior, juvenile or retarded. So let us stop living in the past and not waste anymore time or energy worrying about the expiration of the 1965 Voting Rights Act and just let it expire. Instead, let us all fulfill our civic responsibilities and go to the polls on December 6th and every election hereafter and vote our conscious as a full citizen of these United States of America is obligated to do.

When asked why I am supporting Interim Mayor Willie Mays I said I am supporting him because he is the most qualified and I will have access to him when he is elected as our next Mayor. However, in all honesty, I will not have access to Mayor Mays because of the color of his skin. On the contrary, I will have access to the Honorable Mayor Willie Mays because he is a Mayor who is accessible to all Augustans!

Regardless as to who wins the election, remember that, "IT'S STILL TIME TO STOP BLAMING THE WHITE MAN." Jerry Smith, LCSW, LISW can be reached at www.jerry@itsstilltime.com.

© December 2005 By Afromerica