What Are The Alternatives To Voting?

[NeighborhoodNomad.]

I have heard a lot regarding the collective wealth of Black people in America touted as a rationale for us to withhold our vote in the Presidential election.

I've always found this rationale to be peculiar.

It is not the responsibility of the government to provide the people with wealth ... that is incumbent upon the people ... either individually or collectively.

That's why I appreciate and respect what @"NeighborhoodNomad. " is doing for the black community.

We need more of that.

But one of the things the government CAN do is provide mechanisms and infrastructure to introduce fairness and equality into the system.

What socioeconomic groups choose to do with those conditions is up to them.

I think we can all agree that African Americans have significant opportunity in the areas of fairness and equality.

The question I have - is why can't we do BOTH?

Why can't we build up our wealth as a community AND at the same time, enhance our capability to do so by voting for the legislation and infrastructure that aligns with our interests at both the local and federal levels.

Many people have framed this election as voting for a person.

It's not.

A person's background and character should only be considered in so much as it will impact their EXECUTION of the office of the President and the image they project to the rest of the country and the world.

We are electing the national DIRECTION on a swath of imperative issues - Including the systemic policies that can bring more equality and fairness to African American people.

Ideally, we can do both, but realistically or maybe a better word would be historically, we always do vote for the candidates who align with our interests and goals. We've been eagerly voting for the candidate that panders to us the most, but overall, our conditions haven't changed. We have a few more faces in places we didn't expect to see in executive positions, but our conditions as a people are still fucked up. And if we protest loud enough, eventually, the system will reluctantly throw a crumb to shut us up, until our next protest or their next election.

Ideally, Most the words of the constitution and pretty much every religious moral conduct is good on paper, but it's never what ends up being applied.

 

[NeighborhoodNomad.]

You should vote locally because when you don't you have local law enforcement running amuck, bitch ass faggot Uncle Tom muthafuckas like Ken "Dead Ass Fuck," Thompson as the chief law enforcement official dispensing selective justice that allows people from other groups to harm black people with impunity, or the racist white supremacists that are on the school board will name schools (that are attended by minority students,) after treasonous rebel scum, and they'll buy text books saying the causes of failed insurrection started by the treasonous rebel scum was due to unfair taxes,"state's rights," and black people can to America as "migrant workers."

But isn't this why it's mandatory we put our resources together and start writing our own curriculums and building our schools?

We can build our own schools that focus on our children being entrepreneurs and not employees. They won't need a job when they graduate because they'll create their own lane. We can collectively teach them the truth our history and their value in this world. We can teach them the real lessons they need to know about being an excellent human being, not just a law abiding citizen.

We can take our children out of these institutions and build new ones that teach them the truth about themselves and life.

We can build these places. We don't have to allow anyone to teach our kids otherwise. And we don't have to allow others to tell us what we can and can't teach our children.

So you're actively supporting Dr. Boyce in his efforts to educate 100,000 black youth?

I didn't know about it until you mentioned it, but if that's what he's doing, props. I would support something like this.

 

[Peace_79]

I have heard a lot regarding the collective wealth of Black people in America touted as a rationale for us to withhold our vote in the Presidential election.

I've always found this rationale to be peculiar.

It is not the responsibility of the government to provide the people with wealth ... that is incumbent upon the people ... either individually or collectively.

That's why I appreciate and respect what @"NeighborhoodNomad. " is doing for the black community.

We need more of that.

But one of the things the government CAN do is provide mechanisms and infrastructure to introduce fairness and equality into the system.

What socioeconomic groups choose to do with those conditions is up to them.

I think we can all agree that African Americans have significant opportunity in the areas of fairness and equality.

The question I have - is why can't we do BOTH?

Why can't we build up our wealth as a community AND at the same time, enhance our capability to do so by voting for the legislation and infrastructure that aligns with our interests at both the local and federal levels.

Many people have framed this election as voting for a person.

It's not.

A person's background and character should only be considered in so much as it will impact their EXECUTION of the office of the President and the image they project to the rest of the country and the world.

We are electing the national DIRECTION on a swath of imperative issues - Including the systemic policies that can bring more equality and fairness to African American people.

Ideally, we can do both, but realistically or maybe a better word would be historically, we always do vote for the candidates who align with our interests and goals. We've been eagerly voting for the candidate that panders to us the most, but overall, our conditions haven't changed. We have a few more faces in places we didn't expect to see in executive positions, but our conditions as a people are still fucked up. And if we protest loud enough, eventually, the system will reluctantly throw a crumb to shut us up, until our next protest or their next election.

Ideally, Most the words of the constitution and pretty much every religious moral conduct is good on paper, but it's never what ends up being applied.

I can appreciate this perspective.

But for me ...

It is FAR ... FAR too binary and SIMPLISTIC.

It paints reality with an extremely broad brush ... as if the myriad of intricate inputs and processes that have affected and will continue to affect our collecitve outcomes are not dynamic and incredibly complex.

For example - one could say that:

"Our GOVERNMENT has let us down" ...

But one could also ask:

"What part have WE played in letting ourselves down" ...

In spite of the tools and infrastructure available to us?

We cannot discuss the government's role in affecting systemic, multi-faceted issues spanning centuries ... As if we are discussing a plate of lasagna.

"Well, last time tired my wife's lasagna with Parmesan cheese ...

"And ... for the most part, I didn't like it."

"So from now on, I am going to try it w/o Parmesan cheese...

"Problem Solved. "

Reality is more complicated than that. That doesent mean we can't leverage the tools available to us to improve our situation.

 

[blue_london]

Nothing! Complain about what u dont like, then be nonchalant about the things you do like...

Even if this was a joke or not I agree with this.

Keeps you on ya toes.

The danger is people show their anger on twitter facebook etc. The filters mean they are showing their anger to people that agree with them no one sees an alternative opinion.

I see no danger.this is the norm right

Filters mean you don't know or understand what the other side of argument is . If someone supports a "blue lives matter" post they will only be shown post supporting that movement they will not be shown videos that give an counter argument. Therefore you stay ignorant to a situation it doesn't encourage healthy debate.

In theory your venting with people who share the same opinion as you and it doesn't help or produce change to a situation

 

[NeighborhoodNomad.]

I have heard a lot regarding the collective wealth of Black people in America touted as a rationale for us to withhold our vote in the Presidential election.

I've always found this rationale to be peculiar.

It is not the responsibility of the government to provide the people with wealth ... that is incumbent upon the people ... either individually or collectively.

That's why I appreciate and respect what @"NeighborhoodNomad. " is doing for the black community.

We need more of that.

But one of the things the government CAN do is provide mechanisms and infrastructure to introduce fairness and equality into the system.

What socioeconomic groups choose to do with those conditions is up to them.

I think we can all agree that African Americans have significant opportunity in the areas of fairness and equality.

The question I have - is why can't we do BOTH?

Why can't we build up our wealth as a community AND at the same time, enhance our capability to do so by voting for the legislation and infrastructure that aligns with our interests at both the local and federal levels.

Many people have framed this election as voting for a person.

It's not.

A person's background and character should only be considered in so much as it will impact their EXECUTION of the office of the President and the image they project to the rest of the country and the world.

We are electing the national DIRECTION on a swath of imperative issues - Including the systemic policies that can bring more equality and fairness to African American people.

Ideally, we can do both, but realistically or maybe a better word would be historically, we always do vote for the candidates who align with our interests and goals. We've been eagerly voting for the candidate that panders to us the most, but overall, our conditions haven't changed. We have a few more faces in places we didn't expect to see in executive positions, but our conditions as a people are still fucked up. And if we protest loud enough, eventually, the system will reluctantly throw a crumb to shut us up, until our next protest or their next election.

Ideally, Most the words of the constitution and pretty much every religious moral conduct is good on paper, but it's never what ends up being applied.

I can appreciate this perspective.

But for me ...

It is FAR ... FAR too binary and SIMPLISTIC.

It paints reality with an extremely broad brush ... as if the myriad of intricate inputs and processes that have affected and will continue to affect our collecitve outcomes are not dynamic and incredibly complex.

For example - one could say that:

"Our GOVERNMENT has let us down" ...

But one could also ask:

"What part have WE played in letting ourselves down" ...

In spite of the tools and infrastructure available to us?

We cannot discuss the government's role in affecting systemic, multi-faceted issues spanning centuries ... As if we are discussing a plate of lasagna.

"Well, last time tired my wife's lasagna with Parmesan cheese ...

"And ... for the most part, I didn't like it."

"So from now on, I am going to try it w/o Parmesan cheese...

"Problem Solved. "

Reality is more complicated than that. That doesent mean we can't leverage the tools available to us to improve our situation.

I agree that it's wise to leverage or utilize the tools that are in place now, but at the same time we need to be creating and utilizing our own.

The trade example I gave earlier speaks to this. We live in a system that requires US currency as trade for housing, food, basically all of our needs and comforts. Currency is a tool of the system, so use it with the system. When we're dealing or trading with the system, use their form of value as a trade, i.e. money. But when trading amongst ourselves we can use an open system of barter or currency. By doing that we will be leveraging and utilizing the tools we already have, and in turn, will create more resources and improve our situation.

 

[Karl.]

People like you give people like Trump a great chance of getting elected.

Aren't you white? Instead of trying to throw black people off of their square, why don't you talk to your people and come up with a plan to vote for an opposing party?

Your comment is in bad taste, as you surely understand, your circumstances in this country are far different from ours. We are NOT apart of your system.

I'm not apart of the american white mans system either. I ain't trying throw black people off anything. I just know not voting against someone increases their chance of election.

 

[Karl.]

I just want you cunts to vote and make sure Trump doesn't fuck the world up.

 

[Colin$mackabi$h]

Nothing! Complain about what u dont like, then be nonchalant about the things you do like...

Even if this was a joke or not I agree with this.

Keeps you on ya toes.

The danger is people show their anger on twitter facebook etc. The filters mean they are showing their anger to people that agree with them no one sees an alternative opinion.

I see no danger.this is the norm right

Filters mean you don't know or understand what the other side of argument is . If someone supports a "blue lives matter" post they will only be shown post supporting that movement they will not be shown videos that give an counter argument. Therefore you stay ignorant to a situation it doesn't encourage healthy debate.

In theory your venting with people who share the same opinion as you and it doesn't help or produce change to a situation

Oh ok got u.

Cant be worse than those who watch said videos of illuminati and just laugh at it turning they back on it not proving it dont exists.

One side made up they minds already the other is waiting for everything else to catch up and do the work first.

I am saying if i wanted I could do dirt by myself I need no help

Choosing to follow the leader and choosing not to are both personal choices

there is nobody to blame if my leader fails but me then its back to plan b ( man in the mirror ).

 

[manofmorehouse]

Lmao @blackrain wanting my attention in multiple forums. Shits hilarious and wild homo but....its 2016. Do u.

On topic, government in the United States is supposed to be for the people, by the people. Has it strayed?? Of course, but that's the fault of non voters. Pooling resources makes sense until it's restricted by legislation and then you're back to square one. The solution in a democracy is voting for people that share your interests and holding them accountable. That's the president on down. Period

 

[Colin$mackabi$h]

I know what those before me think of a 27 year old like me

I cant change they thoughts and I dont care to change they thoughts life will go on

I control me no matter who is in charge of the world yesterday. today. Tomorrow.

That remains the same. I own my every choice.

Meester worries about meester. The world worries about the world.

 

[LordZuko]

Money moves legislation even on a local level. The game runs deep and been running a long time. The only way to change our position is through a process more intricate and developed than the original plot to maneuver us to the bottom.

In short we have to get our money up and we have to use that money to maneuver ourselves into positions in private corporations. Private corporations fund politicians, send lobbyists and draft legislation which is eventually turned into law and policy.

We are facing an entrenched enemy that we cannot fight head up or even within the confines of the established rules. We must think like a people who know change will only come via infiltration, secret meetings, and leverage.

voting is not leverage. money is leverage. get your money up.

now if we want to have that discussion we'll actually be moving forward.

this here is talking in circles.

 

[manofmorehouse]

Money moves legislation even on a local level. The game runs deep and been running a long time. The only way to change our position is through a process more intricate and developed than the original plot to maneuver us to the bottom.

In short we have to get our money up and we have to use that money to maneuver ourselves into positions in private corporations. Private corporations fund politicians, send lobbyists and draft legislation which is eventually turned into law and policy.

We are facing an entrenched enemy that we cannot fight head up or even within the confines of the established rules. We must think like a people who know change will only come via infiltration, secret meetings, and leverage.

voting is not leverage. money is leverage. get your money up.

now if we want to have that discussion we'll actually be moving forward.

this here is talking in circles.

I agree to an extent. Money puts u at the table but at the end of the day, wealthy people's vote counts just like yours in elections. Votes are what keep legislators/politicians in office. There's a way to gain financial clout AND vote effectively to get what u want, but it takes a communal effort. Not voting isn't a solution in any scenario

 

[NeighborhoodNomad.]

Lmao @blackrain wanting my attention in multiple forums. Shits hilarious and wild homo but....its 2016. Do u.

On topic, government in the United States is supposed to be for the people, by the people. Has it strayed?? Of course, but that's the fault of non voters. Pooling resources makes sense until it's restricted by legislation and then you're back to square one. The solution in a democracy is voting for people that share your interests and holding them accountable. That's the president on down. Period

The US has never been "by the people, for the people", or at least not Black and Brown people. It looks good on paper though. If the system has strayed because of non voters, then that means our problems in the US as Black People didn't start until after we were so graciously "given the right to vote".

And not pooling our resources together and building and doing what we know needs to be done for ourselves and our future generations out of fear needs to be addressed as well. What if legislation x,y,x? "What if" is fear. No matter what their reactions are to our actions is and will be irrelevant because we won't be waiting for approval or denial to build.

Fuck permits, policies, and paperwork when comes to applying the necessary steps to our and our future generations progress and ultimate freedom. Paperwork, permits, and policies only means something if you're building within the guidelines of the system.

As far as accountability goes, if my conditions are fucked up, I can't point to the next man and say "I told him/her to fix it", or "but he promised". As a grown man, I can't do that.

 

[SolemnSauce]

get rich

 

[manofmorehouse]

Lmao @blackrain wanting my attention in multiple forums. Shits hilarious and wild homo but....its 2016. Do u.

On topic, government in the United States is supposed to be for the people, by the people. Has it strayed?? Of course, but that's the fault of non voters. Pooling resources makes sense until it's restricted by legislation and then you're back to square one. The solution in a democracy is voting for people that share your interests and holding them accountable. That's the president on down. Period

The US has never been "by the people, for the people", or at least not Black and Brown people. It looks good on paper though. If the system has strayed because of non voters, then that means our problems in the US as Black People didn't start until after we were so graciously "given the right to vote".

And not pooling our resources together and building and doing what we know needs to be done for ourselves and our future generations out of fear needs to be addressed as well. What if legislation x,y,x? "What if" is fear. No matter what their reactions are to our actions is and will be irrelevant because we won't be waiting for approval or denial to build.

Fuck permits, policies, and paperwork when comes to applying the necessary steps to our and our future generations progress and ultimate freedom. Paperwork, permits, and policies only means something if you're building within the guidelines of the system.

As far as accountability goes, if my conditions are fucked up, I can't point to the next man and say "I told him/her to fix it", or "but he promised". As a grown man, I can't do that.

You're missing the point. I'm not suggesting u don't go through the steps to do what u can to better your situation, but you're apart of a collective. The changes you're looking for is for all black and brown people in America, right?? How do u go about affecting change for the masses in a country governed by politicians without being a part of that process??

Representatives are there for a reason. To represent the masses. A better strategy would be for African Americans and Latinos to become more politically involved, become lawyers, judges, etc. The system isn't going to change bruh. But the people wielding power can. Just my opinion

 

[playmaker88]

Lmao @blackrain wanting my attention in multiple forums. Shits hilarious and wild homo but....its 2016. Do u.

On topic, government in the United States is supposed to be for the people, by the people. Has it strayed?? Of course, but that's the fault of non voters. Pooling resources makes sense until it's restricted by legislation and then you're back to square one. The solution in a democracy is voting for people that share your interests and holding them accountable. That's the president on down. Period

The US has never been "by the people, for the people", or at least not Black and Brown people. It looks good on paper though. If the system has strayed because of non voters, then that means our problems in the US as Black People didn't start until after we were so graciously "given the right to vote".

And not pooling our resources together and building and doing what we know needs to be done for ourselves and our future generations out of fear needs to be addressed as well. What if legislation x,y,x? "What if" is fear. No matter what their reactions are to our actions is and will be irrelevant because we won't be waiting for approval or denial to build.

Fuck permits, policies, and paperwork when comes to applying the necessary steps to our and our future generations progress and ultimate freedom. Paperwork, permits, and policies only means something if you're building within the guidelines of the system.

As far as accountability goes, if my conditions are fucked up, I can't point to the next man and say "I told him/her to fix it", or "but he promised". As a grown man, I can't do that.

You're missing the point. I'm not suggesting u don't go through the steps to do what u can to better your situation, but you're apart of a collective. The changes you're looking for is for all black and brown people in America, right?? How do u go about affecting change for the masses in a country governed by politicians without being a part of that process??

Representatives are there for a reason. To represent the masses. A better strategy would be for African Americans and Latinos to become more politically involved, become lawyers, judges, etc. The system isn't going to change bruh. But the people wielding power can. Just my opinion

agreed the system is the system.. because of the people who inhabit the system.. it has to be a mass effort idk how likely that is but thats what it will take .. ambition can't be your sole motivation as it often is.. service an combating the inadequacies/supremacy needs to be paramount.. we dont just need changing faces.. but changing minds/approaches

 

[jono]

Nothing should be off the table if you really talking about enacting any kind of change.

Nonprofits and other community organizations are a good start. You still need political relationships in order to get funds, rights, protections etc.

 

[blackrain]

Lmao @blackrain wanting my attention in multiple forums. Shits hilarious and wild homo but....its 2016. Do u.

On topic, government in the United States is supposed to be for the people, by the people. Has it strayed?? Of course, but that's the fault of non voters. Pooling resources makes sense until it's restricted by legislation and then you're back to square one. The solution in a democracy is voting for people that share your interests and holding them accountable. That's the president on down. Period

I don't want your attention. I just think the IC should know you out here looking at teenage girls.

 

[caddo man]

I don't vote.

I make a very conscious decision not to vote. I believe that actively participating in a system of oppression is actively participating in my own oppression. I do consciously participate in what I believe to be my own and our "Freedom" and "Truth" through action though. I'm pretty active in my neighborhood and community in various ways, but I don't vote. I can't hold someone else accountable for my changing my circumstances and conditions. I have to hold myself accountable and actively and consciously change those conditions.

No matter what any policy or political outcomes there will be, I will always strive to position myself for success.

Is voting a way for us to avoid personal accountability in our lives? Because if everything goes wrong, it's someone else's fault. I get to blame you. But when things go right, well, I was the one that chose that position for you to make things right.

I believe action changes things. Action only. It's the peoples actions that create these so called rules and policies.

So, community comrades. Can we change things without voting? How?

Bruh! This is the shit I like to see. Action speaks louder than words.

 

[NeighborhoodNomad.]

Lmao @blackrain wanting my attention in multiple forums. Shits hilarious and wild homo but....its 2016. Do u.

On topic, government in the United States is supposed to be for the people, by the people. Has it strayed?? Of course, but that's the fault of non voters. Pooling resources makes sense until it's restricted by legislation and then you're back to square one. The solution in a democracy is voting for people that share your interests and holding them accountable. That's the president on down. Period

The US has never been "by the people, for the people", or at least not Black and Brown people. It looks good on paper though. If the system has strayed because of non voters, then that means our problems in the US as Black People didn't start until after we were so graciously "given the right to vote".

And not pooling our resources together and building and doing what we know needs to be done for ourselves and our future generations out of fear needs to be addressed as well. What if legislation x,y,x? "What if" is fear. No matter what their reactions are to our actions is and will be irrelevant because we won't be waiting for approval or denial to build.

Fuck permits, policies, and paperwork when comes to applying the necessary steps to our and our future generations progress and ultimate freedom. Paperwork, permits, and policies only means something if you're building within the guidelines of the system.

As far as accountability goes, if my conditions are fucked up, I can't point to the next man and say "I told him/her to fix it", or "but he promised". As a grown man, I can't do that.

You're missing the point. I'm not suggesting u don't go through the steps to do what u can to better your situation, but you're apart of a collective. The changes you're looking for is for all black and brown people in America, right?? How do u go about affecting change for the masses in a country governed by politicians without being a part of that process??

Representatives are there for a reason. To represent the masses. A better strategy would be for African Americans and Latinos to become more politically involved, become lawyers, judges, etc. The system isn't going to change bruh. But the people wielding power can. Just my opinion

I respect your opinion. Our opinions reflect our experiences, and I can't deny anyone's experience. But we go about affecting change through action. Unapproved action. Acting outside of the preconceived perimeters or guidelines that have been set. One of the ways we go about affecting change is by changing the way trade.

Like I was expressing earlier, when dealing or trading with whatever process or system is in place, deal and trade with them on their level (money/fiat/currency). But when dealing and trading with us or the people, the process or system can be different. It can be a system we create.

If the people wielding the power change, the system changes. What if we focus on the steps we need to take to wield said power. All this power starts in the mind though because the mind manifests the action.