KSE | Reverend Yearwood, Playaz Circle On Election ’08

Voting is precious. It is a gift, a right and an honor. It is the ability to make a calculated decision, one that works to cultivate a unique and individual voice among a people of many. Many people have fought for the right to vote. Many have lost. Many have struggled; and many have died… all so we could have a voice and express our interests in society’s ever changing dynamic. What will you do?

 

NOW OR NEVER
Words: N. Ali Early

As this presidential race surges toward its definitive end where either Barack Obama or John McCain will assume the right to lead the country November 4th, many are calling election ’08 the single most important of our time. It represents the unique opportunity to have an African American man represent and most importantly, CHANGE the direction of the United States. Unabatedly because of his skin color skin, Obama has unearthed miraculous support from urban communities across the country. Equally important, because he has a well thought out way to undo the George W. Bush regime, he’s earned the backing of many others.

Among Obama’s most ardent supporters is rapper and Atlanta resident T.I. AKA Tip. As the face of the “Respect My Vote” campaign, he’s done just as much to promote the reality of a Barack Obama candidacy as he has his own musical project, Paper Trail. However, since being convicted on felony weapons charges for an incident that occurred last fall, Tip, whose government name is Clifford Harris, is unable to actually vote. Nevertheless, he’s become perhaps the single most important tool to his community, as Georgia – a Republican state – currently favors Obama.

As of October 24th, GA has accounted for all but 3% of white votes and 8% Black. Obama is doing better among white voters than John Kerry did in 2004 and statistically carries 28% of the white vote. Collectively, statistics show Obama at 48% with McCain at 47% and Obama has more room to go up than his Republican counterpart.

The foundation of the “Respect My Vote” campaign is born from the Hip Hop Caucus, whose outright leader and master motivator is Reverend Lennox Yearwood Jr. Also responsible for organizing the Vote Or Die campaign along with Sean “Diddy” Combs, Reverend Yearwood has a rich history of peaceful activism and educating the urban community on issues germane to our survival. His track record is immaculate and largely why other celebrities such as Nelly, Omar Epps, the Simmons sisters, Bow Wow, Ray J, Sean Kingston and Keyshia Cole joined his cause.

“Our goal in this process is to engage the hip hop community, specifically young adults ages 18-29 who did not attend college,” says Reverend Yearwood. “It’s also to educate the constituents [on] major issues facing the hip hop community whether it be economics, housing, health care and [overall] injustice.

“We obviously sought out T.I. We want to reach out to the most disenfranchised parts of our community. So [essentially] we’re reaching out to those who did not attend college and felons. We thought that T.I. could really speak to both of those groups. It’s important to point out that the felony disenfranchisement piece is one that’s been used since the Jim Crow Laws. But unlike the other Jim Crow laws, it’s the one that has increased over time.”

Atlanta residents, rappers and convicted felons Playaz Circle, who made noise with arguably 2007’s biggest hit, “Duffle Bag Boy,” know about that increase all too well. We recently caught up with the two rappers at a voter registration drive hosted by Hot 107.9 and DTLR.

“The whole purpose of us being out here is to create awareness for felons,” said Dolla Boy, one half of the Playaz Circle. “We finished our probation. We cleared all our debts to society and now we have a chance to reinstate our voting rights.”

His partner in rhyme Tity Boy agrees adding, “Everybody’s excited about the upcoming election. This is supposed to be the most important election of our time and I think people are just trying to get people to vote period. To be more specific, Dolla and myself being two felons and originally not being able to even communicate with each other, then being able to be in a group and be able to make money; it’s just good to see that there’s another side to it.”

That “other side” Tit refers to is undoubtedly the “American Dream.” By and large, Playaz Circle committed themselves to the reality of change and were rewarded for wiping off their lenses so as to see the world more clearly. With the assistance of the American Civil Liberties Union, they’ve emerged and as they persist with their mission to educate along with this election’s most visible electioneer, others like them might realize an otherwise unlikely potential.

*This piece was originally published by and for The Atlanta Voice.

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