MLK Jr. Day 2022 Call To Action: Protecting the Right to Vote for All Americans
As we commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Day this year, while our constitutional right to vote is being challenged, let us reflect on why we observe this day and pay tribute to the civil rights icon who fought for racial justice, equality, and of course, the right to vote.
?In 1965, the House approved the Voting Rights Act (VRA) which outlawed voter suppression and qualification devices, including literacy tests and poll taxes. At the time, the VRA was regarded by Congress as one of the most far-reaching pieces of civil rights legislation in U.S. history. Since then, the protections in the VRA have been stripped down and voting rights for many are being obstructed.
The business community has always played a role in protecting civil rights. In 2013, CEOs from all over corporate America rallied around same-sex?marriage – one even imploring a shareholder to sell their stocks if they didn’t agree with the company’s stance on the issue. And as recently as 2020, leaders halted contributions to lawmakers who had endorsed overturning the 2020 presidential election results.
Even in the ‘60s, elected leaders knew that in order to attract outside investment, they had to support the creation of safe and equitable environments to conduct business. Today is no different. Without equal voting rights for all Americans, democracy and American competitiveness are at stake.
?The right to vote has made most of our careers possible, although we are still fighting for equity and inclusion. Many of us owe our success to someone who took a hardline before we arrived – whether it was a parent who worked multiple labor jobs to put us through school or a beneficiary of Affirmative action who pushed for greater representation. Dr. King once said, “a man dies when he refuses to stand up for that which is right.” And in this moment, standing up for this issue is right.
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While the primary mission of our organization is to increase the number of Black executives in corporate America; our collective voice is critically important in amplifying issues that impact the Black community – like voting rights.
Voter suppression affects us all. The people being disproportionately impacted by restrictive voting laws are our family, friends, and colleagues – people who look like us.
That is why it’s important to use our individual and collective platforms to emphasize the importance of protecting the American right to vote. Businesses and corporate leaders are key stakeholders in this democracy, and it’s our responsibility to speak out against policies that fall short of moving our country forward.
Voting rights are necessary for America’s continued prosperity and economic growth. And without them we risk losing all we have gained. So, if you’re looking for a way to commemorate Dr. King, urge your leaders to publicly support voting rights and the preservation of American democracy
Independent Organization Development Consultant & Certified Executive Coach
2 年Remember the dream.
Adjunct Instructor @ Syracuse University | Teaching Sustainable Enterprise Innovations
2 年We should remember him on MLK Day and every day. We need more leaders like him. We are all in this human race together!
devoted husband and business owner
2 年I encourage everyone to actually read the bills being introduced and the laws that have been past that have been labeled voter suppression laws. Do not listen to what you are being told about them, go read them. Here is a link to the Georgia voter law. Not an easy read but an important read so you can make your own conclusions as to what the law does and what it doesn't do. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20212022/201121&ved=2ahUKEwi39r22prv1AhWmI0QIHXXmD4oQFnoECCcQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3w5J9fI0nnJlYbpkWXbDTX
Founder & CEO, AEG - Advanced Energy Group + Puerto Rico Energy Week | Chair of IEEE Grid Edge Innovation Challenge | Stakeholder Mobilization for Leaders as Champion Teams focused on Energy ? Health ? Equity
2 年This is what today is about. “Voting rights are necessary for America’s continued prosperity and economic growth. And without them we risk losing all we have gained. So, if you’re looking for a way to commemorate Dr. King, urge your leaders to publicly support voting rights and the preservation of American democracy”
Currently Westinghouse Resident Site Manager at North Anna and Surry Nuclear Plants. Nuclear Professional with 40+ years experience in Operations Leadership, Outage and Project Management, and Engineering Design Changes.
2 年Every US citizen has an equal right to vote. Nothing is stopping anyone from going to the polls. I support solid reasons for not having to go the the physical polls. For example, military members stationed out of their home state, elderly, handicapped, rural areas, and I’m sure there are others. But they should be approved. This malarkey of allowing anyone to submit their vote without ID from any where is a bunch of claptrap. Sorry, I’m not for mollycoddling the cry baby’s who are now afraid they can’t cheat. Plus, this is supposed to be for professional encounters, not political debates. Mr. King was a great man, with a great vision, but the left is using him for their own agenda. Shame on all of you.