When I first began researching Voter Suppression, what it is and just how and who it tends to target, it hadn't really occurred to me that just being a minority in this country I would be one of those individuals most affected by voter suppression. 

As many are aware, the world is currently experiencing the Covid-19 pandemic and unsurprisingly those most affected are low-income communities and communities of color. According to research analyzed by NPR and Covid-19 demographic data, African Americans and Latinos are at far greater risk of dying from the virus that any other community. This, coupled with the various means by which voter suppression is enacted through voter ID laws, gerrymandering, excessively long poll wait times and poll closures make it that much more difficult for minority communities to vote. 

When I think about the current climate in the United States given the recent deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and countless others at the hands of law enforcement it's a lot of pressure mentally to take on. This coupled with many other issues P.O.C. face make voter suppression seem just that much more sinister as it's compiled with other systematic injustices already in place. Living and identifying as a person of color comes with a great deal of hardship, most of the time it seems its only best to turn away from the media and politics. Just the idea of being involved in the political process is overwhelming, while having to focus on means of survival in a country build on denying P.O.C their most basic of rights is a hard thing to do. 

As a first generational college student, I know and understand the importance of getting out and being involved in the voting process. I am the greatest beacon of hope for those, regardless of color or background,  that do not have a voice or the knowledge to overcome systematic oppression. I know it and live it first hand, so I under the importance of taking action even when it's the last thing I have the strength to do. My hope is that my endurance is inspiring for others to be involved as well.

Written by: Morgan Lanier

Sources: 

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/05/30/865413079/what-do-coronavirus-racial-disparities-look-like-state-by-state

https://www.aclu.org/facts-about-voter-suppression