Oprah and the Common Thread of America

Queen Oprah appeared in Georgia this week to knock doors on behalf of Stacey Abrams.  News that Oprah might be coming to your door likely increased voter interest tenfold.  If you know Oprah you can’t help but to imagine her on a stage with her larger than life personality proclaiming, “You get a vote, and you get a vote, EVERYBODY GETS A VOTE!!!”

In fact, Oprah did say that in a much more serious way.  Oprah said “For anybody here who has an ancestor who didn’t have the right to vote and you are choosing not to vote … you are dishonoring your family, you are disrespecting and disregarding their legacy, their suffering and their dreams.”  Oprah was talking to pretty much everyone in America!

Whether some of your ancestors were prevented from voting because they were not land owners, they were women, immigrants, or African American then at some point in our Country’s history, your ancestors were prevented from voting based solely on their status.  Honor for the sacrifices and legacy of our families is an American value that crosses generations, religions, race, and political party.  Oprah spoke truth to power.

Honor for the sacrifices and legacy of our families is an American value that crosses generations, religions, race, and political party. 

For many Americans, when we think of those who could not vote our minds go immediately to African Americans.  The legal protections on behalf of blacks is only 53 years old and the wounds are still tender.  However, if you truly think of it, the history of voter suppression touches almost every American – even if it touches some more intimately.  Oprah hit the nail on the head as it is an appreciation we can all have!

Oprah, in a way only Oprah can, found a common thread to encourage us to participate and then again raised the bar.  If people were not excited enough by her message, the fact she could knock on your door likely ensured today’s canvassers for Abrams had a higher ratio of doors opened by potential voters.  Every time a campaign makes direct impact with a voter their likelihood of voting increases.  Oprah has pushed more volunteers out this weekend and increased the number of Abrams voters that will get to the polls on Tuesday.

Thank you Oprah!