Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 7 October 2004 — Page 2

Page 2 • The Muncie Times • October 7, 2004

EDITORIAL

Blood, sweat, tears, violence, even death nourished the voting tree

Elsewhere in this

edition we carry riveting stories from men and women, blacks and white, young and old who lost their lives while trying to ensure that African Americans would have the right to vote in the South.Their stories need to be read by all Americans, not just American blacks. They chronicle incidents of organized domestic terror, spearheaded by unrepentant racists and white supremacists, against African Americans seeking to exercise their constitutional rights to vote so they could elect those men and women who would be stewards over their lives.

These brave men and

women put their lives on the line, as they battled segregationist governors and other politicians,

segregationists police and sheriffs deputies and other dedicated racists and their accomplices in a campaign of terror and intimidation. Those seeking the right to vote were intimidated, denied store credit, fired from their jobs, evicted from their residences. When these methods did not work, members of the terroristic Ku Klux Klan resorted to beatings, fire bombings and

shootings.

They knew they could get away with such crimes because some police, sheriffs and sheriff's deputies were also KKK members, supporters, admirers and hangers-on. They could operate with impunity because they knew they were unlikely to be arrested, even when they were known and their heinous crimes were a

matter of public knowledge. These criminals also knew that in the unlikely event that they were arrested, allwhite juries in the South would never convict, regardless of the evidence, white criminals and suspects accused of crimes against African Americans and their civil rights supporters. It was no different from scenes from the Wild West when white defendants accused of crimes against Native Americans hardly ever feared conviction, regardless of the evidence.

The stories in this

edition of The Muncie Times are a reminder of how far this country has moved from those sad and unlamented days. They are a stark reminder that less than 40 years ago, black Americans were physically being prevented from voting

LETTER POLICY The Muncie Times accepts and However, the writer’s full libel. publishes “Letters to the Editor” particulars must be included in 'All correspondence should be under the following conditions: the letter wfvmg with the addressed to: The Editor, The •The letter must indicate the suggested pseudonym. Muncie Times, 1304 N. writer’s name, address and '•Letters must be brief, Broadway, Muncie, IN 47303. phone number where the writer 'preferably no more than 300 ^ •Unsolicited manuscripts will can be reached during the day. words long and should, if only be returned if the writer Addresses and phone numbers possible, be typed and double- includes a self-addressed, will not be published. spaced. Hand-written letters stamped envelope with correct •If the writer wishes the letter will also be accepted. package, to be published under a *The editor reserves the right to\ -Thank Youpseudonym, that wish will be edit all letters for brevity*,Jk honored. accuracy, taste, grammar and MUNCIE TIMES STAFF Publisher Bea Moten-Foster Editor Dr. Tendiya Kumbula Advertising Bea Moten-Foster Layout/Typesetting Patty Haisley Contributors: T.S. Kumbula, Maurice Taylor Administrative Assistant Belinda Castelow

The Muncie Times is published twice monthly at 1304 N. Broadway, Muncie, IN 47303. It covers the communities of Anderson, Marion, New Castle, Richmond, and Muncie. All editorial correspondence should be addressed to: The Editor, The Muncie Times, 1304 N. Broadway, Muncie, IN 47303. Telephone (765) 741-0037. Fax (765) 741-0040.

by racists. They are a reminder that the struggle is far from over. Recently, we have witnessed efforts in Florida, among other places, to disenfranchise some

African Americans. We publish these

vivid stories not to reopen old wounds. But we do so, without apology, to remind people in Muncie, in Indiana and elsewhere, we have many heroes and sheroes who sacrificed their lives so we could have the right to vote. It is a precious right, one bought with the blood of far too many people. We should never

forget that.

As the crucial Nov. 2 election approaches, it behooves us, regardless of color, race or ethnicity, to remember those who paid the ultimate price to guarantee that the underprivileged and disenfranchised would have the right to vote and to have their votes counted. Their blood and sacrifices have nourished the tree of liberty. We must not dishonor them

by failing to vote, so we can decide whose stewardship we want ,in Indiana and around the country, to be under as we gave into the next 4 years and beyond. Letting our readers, especially the younger ones, look at these stories should help them understand the

importance of voting. After all, those who

choose not to vote really should have no right to complain when things go wrong in this country. Voting is the power we have to influence leaders and events. An informed and participatory electorate is the strongest guarantee to the checks and balances that are essential to any polity.

We have braved the

KKK, white supremacists, Southern segregationists and survived. Voting Nov. 2 is our way of honoring those who sacrificed their lives over the years so we would have the right to freely choose those who will govern us. Let us never

forget that.