#Tuestimony
**Today's Tuestimony is an extension of last week's (Election Day 11/6/2018) message.**
I thank God for being here in America TODAY.
Over the years, I've been a victim of and personally witnessed others being victims of racial discrimination, racial profiling, unfair treatment, and other racial injustices. I've heard several 1st-hand stories from my Elders about struggles they endured as Blacks in America. Ive also heard 2nd-hand stories from those same Elders that were told to them by their Elders. They explained why certain things was so important for me in this day because they were around before and during major shifts in this country. Things like Segregation, "Jim Crow Laws", "Brown vs Board of Education", Dr. King, Malcom X, Black Panthers, and other things of the like. I was a Kid when the injustices against Rodney King happened... so while I didnt have (or fully understand) all the historical or surrounding context, I had some inkling of exposure to how Blacks were treated.
I remember my Grandma telling she didnt care who I dated, as long as I didnt bring home a White girl. And if you knew my Grandma, then you'd know that she was a Lover of all people, regardless of race. But she was an Adult during the time of Emitt Till. So it wasnt that she was against White people or that she forbade me from dating a White girl. -- It was because my Grandma was still legitimately (and probably rightfully) scared for ME over what could happen to me if I dated a White girl.
Okay. I said ^all that^ because one of the reasons I vote is because of my ancestral heritage. (In other words... because Im Black). I realize how silly that may sound, but even having a smidgen of knowledge about what my Ancestors went through here in this country... makes me feel both obligated and honored to exercise my right to vote... in every election. Having experienced or witnessed forms of racial injustice compels me to speak out through my vote.
Also, I vote because I care about other things, too. My Wife and I are planning for a Family one day. I want to be confident in our Education Systems for them. I want to be confident that they will be safe and can be protected. I want to be confident that they will receive the right education and by the right Teachers.
So, ultimately, Im expressing that Im praiseful for being here in America. Again, I dont know experientially what it is like to live in another country. And I have only minimal knowledge/insight about living in other countries. But with the information and experiences I do have... I thank God that Im here. I thank God for keeping me through the painful things Ive endured and witnessed. I thank God for the progress we've made from our first Governmental System to Today's Governmental System, realizing we still face challenges that we need to address and correct. Im grateful for where we are. I pray that God uses me, even for the smallest/simplest of tasks, in a way that positively impacts others in this generation as well as the next generation.
#WontHeDoIt!