This week on Talk Sex With Dick, Sex Therapist Dr. Richard Mills talks with Asa Scott about issues related to voter suppression – specifically, its negative impact on communities of color.
This segment was initially focused on dating—however, discussing the current political climate and the Black Lives Matter movement, we went deeper into the issues around voter suppression addressed by the ACLU and its negative impact on communities of color.
Together, we dive deep into the history of voter suppression, where individuals are purged from the voting registry or prevented from voting – revoking one’s right to vote.
Examples of voter suppression include, but not limited to: inadequate or faulty voting machines, changing polling locations at the last minute, but most damaging – purging people from the registry because they didn’t check a box on the back of a parking ticket.
Asa talks about how recently in Georgia there were broken machines, and it delayed the voting up to 4 to 5 hours.
Ultimately, voter suppression impacts poor, but specifically communities of color.
To avoid being purged from or experiencing voter suppression, Asa and I discuss making sure things like your address and name changes have been updated with the registry. We discuss the importance of voting not just in the presidential election, but also in every local and State elections.
Asa is currently working on the Eric Adams campaign, who is running for New York City Mayor.
Elected officials work for the people – and not the other way around. It is important to hold them accountable.
We discuss the importance of being an ally to the black community, and its relationship to be intentional and voting specifically for minorities to change the political landscape and fight institutional racism.
Revisiting the Democratic primaries, people of color were the first to be eliminated from the presidential race.
Exploring systematic racism, the only way to change the structure is that people vote and are able to vote.
With the COVID pandemic, Americans have begun to experience an awaking which is hopefully leading to structural change – however, voter suppression remains to exist.
Issues like the confederate flag and monuments, Asa provides an education on the way that the Confederates were actually against social change and ending slavery.
While the standard is not to talk about politics, religion or orgies at the dinner table, we need to continue to have discussions about oppression, voter suppression, and keeping politicians accountable to serve the American people – and not remain silent and fail to act publicly on issues related to systematic racism.
If you are not registered to vote and would like to register click here.
Music for today’s episode is brought to you by Chauncey Dandridge (AKA DJ Chauncey D) and Van Hechter “53 Christopher Street” available on Spotify.
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To hear todays episode click on the audio stream below:
