In each election cycle, Black communities hear the same message: “Your vote matters.” Celebrities, politicians, and grassroots organizers all emphasize that voting is crucial for effecting change. However, after decades of participating in elections, some members of our community are beginning to question: Does voting truly benefit Black people?

A History of Struggle and Sacrifice

The right to vote has never come easily for us. From literacy tests and poll taxes to outright violence and intimidation. Black Americans have fought hard to participate in a democracy that wasn’t built for us. The sacrifices of civil rights leaders like Fannie Lou Hamer, Medgar Evers, and John Lewis were made so future generations could have a voice.

But now, with rising police brutality, wealth gaps, underfunded schools, and systemic racism still deeply rooted in American institutions, some are wondering if that voice is being heard at all.

What Voting Has Accomplished

Claiming that voting has made no difference overlooks significant successes. Black voters played a pivotal role in electing Barack Obama, the first African American president. Local elections have resulted in the election of progressive prosecutors and Black mayors. Policies such as the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act—though not without their flaws—were direct outcomes of political engagement.

At the local level, elections impact everything from school boards to housing ordinances and police budgets. When Black voters show up in force, we can shape policy and power.

The System Isn’t Broken — It Was Built This Way

The frustration isn’t misplaced. Gerrymandering, voter suppression, and disinformation campaigns disproportionately affect Black communities. Add to that a two-party system that often takes Black votes for granted while rarely prioritizing Black issues.

It’s not that voting doesn’t work — it’s that it works for those in power.

Voting Alone Isn’t Enough

Voting is a tool, not a solution. Real change also comes from organizing, protesting, building Black-owned institutions, and holding elected officials accountable after election day.

The power is not just in the ballot — it’s in the movement behind it.

So… Does Voting Help?

Yes, voting is important, but it must be accompanied by community power, education, and accountability. Voting alone won’t solve all our problems, but choosing not to vote ensures that nothing changes. As Shirley Chisholm said, “You don’t make progress by standing on the sidelines… You make progress by implementing ideas.”

In the words of Shirley Chisholm: “You don’t make progress by standing on the sidelines… You make progress by implementing ideas.”