My Brand New Litmus Test For Politicians
Question to Politician: So, how do you feel about the Trayvon Martin verdict? Was justice served?
...................................
From this day forward, I will ask EVERY politician who asks me for a vote, financial support, or a glass of water this question. For me, this question tells me about the heart of the politician. And, I think their answer will let me know...if they're truthful, will tell us everything we need to know about the role they will play in advancing causes that matter to black people.
Since republican politicians are wise enough NOT to ask me for votes or financial support. I'll be asking this question of democratic politicians. For twenty years, democratic politicians have received my vote. But, for the next several weeks I will tolerate the television ONLY to get a sense of the words that come out of their mouths on THIS issue. Because as much as this court case was about Trayvon, their responses will be about all of our children.
Any equivocation about this issue and "justice served" not only gets you NOT ONE VOTE from me...but, it also gets my ACTIVE support to another candidate that can answer accordingly to my personal litmus test.
And IF NO candidate answers that question, or responds to this community crisis with a heart for saving our children, they do not deserve my vote and should not expect to give it. And, as for whether or not I'm afraid Sarah Palin will become president because of my actions. I AM NOT. We are survivors.
I'm afraid of what will happen to my children and generations more IF I don't start demanding more from the people who claim to represent me. So, I'll start my demanding more of myself.
My vote counts. I'm in the Calvary now. Today, when I hit the streets, I tell everyone who will listen about new litmus test.
