Voter ID
Recently, I’ve seen several “man-on-the-street” interviews about the controversial issue of showing a photo ID as a condition to vote in the United States.
The videos are in NYC, Los Angeles, and a couple of places in between. In the first half, the interviewer asks random white people what their beliefs are about the voter ID requirement including follow-up questions based on their responses. In the second half, the interviewer talks with random black people about their beliefs on the issue, as well as questions based on what the white folks said.
Every white person believed that voter ID was a racist issue. All follow-up responses were some iteration of the belief that most black people did not have the ability or means to get a photo ID. They could not get to a DMV office; no ability to access internet services or data on their cellphones. And black people did not know how to navigate the internet to get an ID.
Every black person, however, said, yes, they had photo IDs. They all had cell phones, computers/tablets. They all use the internet extensively, many use it every day at work or school. Each black person knew where their DMV was and had the ability to get there. And every black person they knew, had the same abilities and means. While all of them looked taken aback by the comments made by the white people – they did not consider them racist per se. The black interviewees just thought the white people were “ignorant.”
I will say upfront, that I am a white woman. The rest of this post is my opinion, as a white person. I will also state upfront that I believe 1000% that everyone over the age of 18 should have every opportunity to vote in every election. Those unable to get to a voting site should be provided transportation. I believe those physically unable to leave their homes, or those out of the country should have the option to request and submit an absentee ballot in the mail. I love the early voting options, as well, because they provide people, with conflicts, time to make arrangements so that they can get to the polls before the voting period ends.
My initial response to those videos was: If those white folks had a black friend standing next to them when they were interviewed, I bet, dollars to donuts, they would have had very different responses.
As long as I have been voting, a photo ID has always been required. Always. It was never a question and I never heard about it being an issue, on the news or otherwise. When it first become one, I have no idea. It was only in the 2020 election cycle that I started hearing that voter ID was racist. Why? Why is it specifically “racist?” A photo ID is the only way to prove you are who you say you are.
As I began to pay closer attention and listen to the reasoning of those fighting against the requirement… I started to get offended! Offended for my black friends and family. What seemed to be the predominant talking points were: 1. Black people don’t have the ability… 2. Black people don’t have the resources… and 3. Black people don’t know how… That made me crazy!
In this country if a person wants to drive a vehicle, buy cigarettes, buy alcohol, open a bank account, get a paycheck… heck – even get into a club to go dancing, a photo ID is required. So where, in America, in 2020, is there any populated area where a photo ID can not be obtained one way or another? If you don’t manage to get an ID when you’re 16, then every single Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday for the rest of your life, in every populated area, you can get a photo ID.
When I moved to Georgia, I almost wasn’t able to get my driver’s license because the birth certificate I had was a copy. I had used this same document my entire adult life and obtained driver’s licenses in 6 other states, but Georgia said I had to get my original certificate. After I submitted a formal request for a certified copy from the government, my dad managed to find my birth certificate in his papers – it had a big red ribbon with a stamped seal on it. I brought that into the GA DMV… no go! Apparently, it was a copy too! Then my dad drove down from another state and went with me to explain that this was the only document that the Army hospital in Germany gave him when I was born. After several weeks, I was called back to the DMV and it was finally approved for me to get my GA driver’s license. A lot of hoops to jump through, 4 DMV visits, 4 days off work and a ton of paperwork to gather to get it done… and it was super inconvenient.
However, any United States citizen who wants to get a photo ID can get one. If you need help you can ask a teacher, a pastor, a neighbor, a family member, a doctor, a police officer – even a stranger… someone, somewhere will help you.
To directly or indirectly state that because your skin color is black, you are not capable is categorically ignorant and insulting… And frankly, is racist. To me, saying that a black person is not capable, is saying that they are stupid and/or they are “less than.” Black people are not stupid. Black people are in no way “less than.”
Much like all of the black folks interviewed… how can you not be puzzled and a bit shocked that anyone would say a black person is not capable or able to get an ID – that literally is required for almost every basic need to function in this country?
Photo IDs are not racist for driving a car or when you buy cigarettes or a beer. Photo IDs are not racist when it comes to getting into a club on a Friday night or when you fill out your W2 & I9. Photo IDs are not a problem when you travel…
Forgive me for my ignorance, Truly, I do not want to offend… Why, is a photo ID considered racist only when you cast a ballot?
