Voters Have a Choice On Sunday

A voter information and candidate forum called "Your Voice. Your Vote." is being presented by the Charlotte Area Association of Black Journalists this Sunday at the Levine Museum of the New South (I'm prez of CAABJ). Just last night, the Barack Obama campaign announced a "Change We Need Rally with Barack Obama" for the same date and time as YVYV and will be taking place only a few blocks away downtown.


I can honestly say that my organization, along with the National Association of Hispanic Journalists-Charlotte and GenerationEngage, has worked hard over the last four months to plan this event, secure sponsors, and to line up more than 25 local and state candidates (Democrats and Republicans) to attend. It's a coincidence that our primary reason for putting on this event is because the presidential election is overshadowing local and state candidates and issues, and we want our community to be informed when it's time to vote in November--there will be much more on the ballot than the office for president.

This is absolutely not a rant against the Obama campaign, and we obviously can't compete with Obama's star power. But the people of Charlotte now have a choice on Sunday: Will they go to the pep rally or will they go to class? And I betcha Obama won't be serving free food from Mert's Heart & Soul--fried chicken, macaroni, cornbread, sweet tea--like we will! This is food for thought...you do the dishes.

Your Voice. Your Vote.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
12-4 p.m.
Levine Museum of the New South
200 E. Seventh Street, Charlotte
www.caabj.org