Prairie View A&M Students March To Vote

(Via The Field) Founded in 1876, Prairie View A&M is a historically black university in Prairie View, Texas. The school is home to about eight thousand students, who study in a range of fields - most notably engineering, nursing and agriculture - and they have a famous marching band called the Marching Storm (which, as you'll soon see, is pretty appropriate).

As you might suspect, the student body represents a large constituency of Democratic party voters, and, that being the case, they don't have it easy. Texas Republicans, who run the electoral show, have historically gone out of their way to stymie Democratic voters. The whole state was gerrymandered out the yin-yang (if you recall, back in 2003, statehouse Democrats were forced to flee to Oklahoma in a futile attempt to block the GOP's redistricting plan) back in 2003.

For the students of Prairie View, the Republicans in the state located their "early-polling place more than seven miles from the school." As it turned out, this was just a minor inconvenience to a student body well-taught by their own Marching Storm.

And, that, I believe, is what democracy looks like.

Comments

[kellygrrrl]

INSPIRATION!!!!!! Love it! very cool

[mamacat]

Awe inspiring.

[Ramirez]

So why didn't the Democrats hold their primary closer to the school?

[DC]

Read the article. The electoral rules in Texas are run by the "Texas Republicans, who run the electoral show, have historically gone out of their way to stymie Democratic voters."

This was the only way they could vote.

[Ramirez]

Okay, but it's a primary. Are you saying that the Republicans select the Democrats' primary sites?

[Cybesq]

The video should end with a shot of unemployed Tom Delay, a tear running down his cheek.

[liberaldemdave]

Prairie View A&M is in Congressional District 10. CD10 was DeLay's "pet district" when it came time to gerrymander Texas. This District (which I live in the middle of) stretches over 180 miles and includes a small piece of Harris County (Houston) and a small piece of Austin.

This District was particularly coveted by DeLay because it has been represented in the past by Texas Democratic icons LBJ and Jake Pickle.

This congressional seat is currently occupied by Bush shill and empty suit, Mike McCaul (R-Clear Channel).

I am supporting DAN GRANT to replace him in this upcoming election!

[slow2]

DeLay will never be unemployed; his books, his speaking dates and his ..."investments" will no doubt fund his golden years.

TX has no monopoly on AHs but Bush, DeLay, Lay et al rack up some serious numbers.

And if De Lay weeps it will be because his golf game is rained out. With the lobbyists.

[Ides]

Wow, what are the odds that black folks would be disenfranchised by this? What a coincedence.


Apparently, the revolution will be televised.

[lynnn]

Not televised, but it will be youtubed.

[LeftAngelWing]

These kids speak through the embodiment, the
face and the soul of "We The People". This is what create change.

Truly inspiring.

[courgood]

Anyone who fails to see what a watershed election this is and the entirely new political landscape on the horizon - and who inspired it - will find themselves largely choking on irrelevant dust - as evidenced by the results at the polls of late.
We no longer have to be ashamed of being the most powerful of democracies with the lowest voter participation - while hollowly clapping for people w/ purple fingers who risked death to vote.
For all those who tried to distort Michelle Obama's comments re pride in country - this is exactly what she was talking about.

[LAShores]

I LOVE Seeing that! Man, this is so wonderful!!!!
Democracy in action! Repubs can play all the dirty tricks they want but there is no stopping us!

Go Obama!

[JDWPS]

I agree, I agree! But I could not have said it so well. So I will second your thoughts and add that as a Texan, I feel proud of my state for the first time in many elections!

[courgood]

I'm a NY'er whose parents hail from Houston and whose grandparents hail from Waco.
DON'T MESS WITH TEXAS!!!

[slow2]

courgood, you are so right! Thanks for this, and thanks for reminding us.!

[tbone99]

Yes ,this is not only democracy in the big term sense ,as in an abstract concept but in the real term sense as in people who don't wait for for it to be offered, but carve it out oppression.The townspeople have done all they could for years to exclude these students of a historical balck college from voting.I guess this is justt their latest tactic.I wouldn't be surprised if they ask voting to be removed from their town altogether just so they can deny it to A.A.'s

BTW ,why don't we ever say Historical WhIte College, since thats what most of them are!

[liberaldemdave]

Unfortunately, tbone99, it's the tactic that racists from BOTH PARTIES have been using since in Waller County since African Americans were granted the right to vote.

As much as I would like to think that Democrats are completely morally superior to Republicans, it just isn't so...I've seen it with my own two eyes in Waller County.

It's sad that in 2007-2008, I feel as though I had to earn the student's respect before they realized I didn't have a hidden agenda behind trying to convince them to register and VOTE.

[kps104]

Thank you for posting this!! God Bless these kids. This is one of the most inspiring things I've seen the entire election cycle.