Student organizations at Florida A&M University put their colors to the side for something bigger on Oct. 24, as the FAMU Greek and non-Greek community banded together for ‘Stroll to the Polls’.
The FAMU chapter of the NAACP, Student Government Association, Fraternity and Sorority Life, Student Social Worker Association, the Alumni Association and the Campus Activities Board banded together to create a bi-partisan event to urge the students of FAMU to exercise their right to vote. With the election two weeks away, campus leaders are no longer turning to social media posts, but putting together plans of action.
Student Government Association President Loryn May, who led the walk, wanted to emphasize that true leaders must be just as active as their voices are loud, “I was elected to represent and serve the student body. And if the representation of the student body isn’t even at the events that are driven to get our students out there how will the student government be able to promote the overall culture of FAMU, voter education and voter awareness at a time like this?”
With megaphone in hand and catchy voter positive phrases, May kept the participants in high spirits. With a pivotal election looming, May knows that with misinformation and fear surrounding this election, the best way to combat it is through education, “We have to do our due diligence to be educated on the amendments and what is actually going to be on the ballot and let our voices be heard. We’re making decisions that will affect us in the future, our kids and our kids kids…”
May’s statement on the long term effects of voting rings true, as the students of Florida A&M University have contributed to earning and protecting the right to vote for generations. As the current student body has always had the right to participate in the democratic process, Leon County Commissioner Bill Proctor remembers the efforts of students who fought to make it possible, “ There is no doubt the FAMU students have been involved in the Civil Rights era of desegregation.
The desegregation of voting and all things which advance the rights of African Americans and solidify those rights.” Standing near the moss covered plaque commemorating FAMU students Wilhelmina Jakes and Carrie Patterson who were arrested for refusing to give up their seats on a Tallahassee public bus, FAMU students from May 28, 1956 and beyond have set the pace for advocacy, “All the way back in 2000,(SGA) president Andrew Guillum when students at FAMU stood up against the One Florida initiative from Governor Jeb Bush, FAMU students have been active and continue to plant seeds…”.
As Proctor, a FAMU Political Science instructor highlighted the acts of students which spread further than 1601 South Martin Luther King Jr. he knows that events like ‘Stroll to the Polls’ are an important reason, “…because these young people will be leaping across the United States…and what they carry is a memory and energy that’s been cultivated and hopefully restored…”
As many HBCUs and NPHC organizations alike have had a history of protecting and pushing the black vote, ‘Stroll to the Polls’ is not only meant for HBCU Greeks. Organizations such as the Campus Vote Project, and Vote HBCU set out to create an environment where all students can feel equally represented, according to the Campus Vote Projects deputy state coordinator for Florida Sam Appel.
“ I think this event is so, so important, especially at such a critical time for young people to get out the vote…for every single student,” says Appel.
As non-Greek affiliated students often voice their concerns about representation on HBCU campus, ‘Stroll to the Polls’ was set to show that everyone’s voice is equal, especially at a time like this. Appel reflects on why HBCU student voices need to be heard, “ It’s so important that these events are able to take place on HBCus so marginalized students can have a voice in our democratic process.”
As the walk ended in front of Florida A&M University’s polling site, the students of Florida A&M piled in to cast their vote. Regardless of Greek affiliation, party or purpose, the students know that their vote is their voice. Camille Harris, a third year English major and pre-law minor from Atlanta, Georgia, knows that despite not wearing a letter, her participation equals progress, “I felt very welcome to come to this event… it was very important for general boy students to come and just see how the NPHC members promote voting and the concept of being united when it comes to coming to the polls.”