Speak And Be Heard

It was a cool day in November. He woke up early, and kissed his wife goodbye before heading off for his grueling day ahead. She gently took his dark and scarred hand in hers and squeezed it, knowing this day would not be easy for him. It was a big day. The buzz was everywhere. Their future would be impacted greatly by this day. Anxiousness set in. What would the outcome be? Would this be a turning point in his children’s future? The God-given feeling of hope pulsated in his heart. As he went to work, he watched as his boss and others smiled proudly. They had been a part of it. They had made a difference. They had a voice and say in what would change the world. That hope in his heart, although still there, slowly began to dissipate. He suddenly felt embarrassed, and worthless. He wasn’t seen as good enough to take part. His opinion didn’t matter. Oh, how he longed to be seen as important enough to speak, and to be heard.

Across town, a woman cooked breakfast for her husband. She too kissed him goodbye and scooted the children out the door for school. The house was empty. A long day of work ahead of her. Her tired legs moved her about, doing every job imaginable that needed to be done. She thought of her husband. Although they didn’t see eye to eye on all things, she loved him with her whole heart. His voice is what mattered today not hers. He would take part, and she would remain silent. She would silently wait. Maybe she would hear something on the radio. As she listened to the reports, she was consumed with happiness for her husband’s opportunity. However, there was a part of her that longed for it as well…longed to be seen as important enough to speak and to be heard.

On the same day, a man an ocean away sat with his family at the table for dinner. Today was not a special day, nor will it be tomorrow. Each day seems like the one before. He has no idea what it is like to stand up and share what he desires for the future. He never will and neither will his children. He can hardly get beyond hoping there will be enough food for each of the mouths that appear around the table before him. Deep within him, he feels that same longing though…to be seen as important enough to speak and to be heard.

It wasn’t until 1870 that the man who watched his boss come back from the voting booth, would be given the right to vote in an election himself. That was the year African Americans were allowed to speak and to be heard in the blessing of casting a vote in America.

It wasn’t until 1920 that women would be allowed to step into an election booth to exercise the opportunity that many of us take for granted today. 1920. It wasn’t that long ago.

For the man that sat with his family, with only the dream that there is a life out there for his children where they aren’t dictated to and have no rights, life never changed. Life in their country is different than ours. There is not a care or value placed on what the citizens think. Decisions are made for them. They are not to be heard from. Life for his family remains the same today as it did back then. They have no right to vote, to speak, or to be heard.

No matter what political party you support, no matter what your opinions are about the hot topics or the candidates, take time to be thankful for the right to vote and exercise it. We live in a country that gives us that opportunity and blessing. We live in a country that has recognized that we all equally have the right to speak, to be heard, and to matter. Don’t take that for granted. Get out, vote, and be thankful. Speak and be heard.