"Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people."
Proverbs 14:34 (New International Version)
It was my junior year of high school, 1985, and I was aghast at the huge banners lining the most famous street in Kinshasa. The banners boasted that the Congolese dictator that had come into power in the 1960s had been re-elected by a 100% vote. We all knew the truth. There were two colored ballots that Congolese nationals had to choose from--the red or green ballot. Choose the opposing color to the then-president and lose your life. It was that simple.
My sisters, please, please, I beg of you after living in a country in which democracy was a farce--go vote!! Don't let any media program tell you that your vote does not count. Don't look at the polls. And, please, stand in that line, no matter how long it might take to get to that voting booth. Brave men and women, at this very moment, have willingly put themselves in harm's way to defend your right and mine to vote without fear, unlike what the Congolese faced in that mockery of an election.
Our freedom and the peaceful transfer of power is a privilege, not an entitlement. What would we do if the right to choose those in power was suddenly taken away from us? Sometimes we don't know what we have until it's gone. Please go out and vote today!