The Defender recently asked Houston-area justice advocates to share, from their perspectives, how voting directly impacts the quality of people’s lives, especially in light of this critically important election that is already upon us.
The feedback from that article inspired other local change agents to share their thoughts on the topic, as well. Here are two true advocates for a better society for all of us, sharing their insights on the relationship between our votes and our quality of life.
Justice Avenger
Monique Joseph, the holistic services director of Restoring Justice (RJ), a Houston-based non-profit that provides holistic and client-centered representation to marginalized members of our community facing criminal charges, makes the direct connection between the vote and our local quality of life.
Here’s Joseph in her own words:
Many in our community are aware of the injustices within the legal system across the country. We often see heartbreaking stories on TV or in documentaries, but what many don’t realize is that these same injustices are happening right here in Houston—and we have the power to change it.
Our District Attorney (DA) sets the tone for how prosecutors approach cases. Instead of prioritizing convictions, the DA we elect can foster a culture that values restoration and connecting people to the resources they need, rather than relying on punitive measures that don’t address our community’s needs or make us safer. This is just one role that shapes what equity and justice look like for us.
The Sheriff, who oversees decisions about our jail, and the Supreme and appellate court judges, who define what justice means, are also on the ballot. Additionally, positions like Commissioners and school board members are up for election. These leaders determine whether we invest in building stronger communities or continue increasing the budgets of systems that are still failing our people.
Community Champion
Dr. Angela Ravin-Anderson, founder and CEO of Streams in the Wasteland Leadership Institute is also the co-leader of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church’s Social Justice Ministry, and a celebrated community champion when it comes to advocating for justice issues and voting rights.
Ravin-Anderson shared these insights on the impact of voting.
Voting directly impacts our ability to prosper in life by leveling the playing field and putting safeguards in place that protect us as women and minorities from policies that are detrimental to our well-being. Voting gives me the voice to say what I believe is beneficial for my community. Voting impacts access to healthcare, education, financial resources, fair housing, fair labor laws, clean air and water, and freedom of religion and speech. That’s why my vote is so important to me. It literally affects every part of my life.
When asked what she says to people who insist that voting doesn’t matter, she said this:
You are right, voting does not matter if you do not care about the collective well-being of others. Voting does not matter if you cannot understand how you fit into the overall economic, socio-political systems of this nation. You are right, it does not matter if you do not believe that we must always pursue justice because in America it will never be given freely to those who are members of marginalized and vulnerable communities.
But it’s Rain-Anderson’s answer to to question of how long she’s been involved in politics, that really speaks to how politics directly impacts the lives of all of us, and those we know.
I have been voting a long, long time. But even before I could cast a real ballot, I participated in mock presidential debates in middle school. Oddly enough, I have never had a real interest in politics. My interest however is in the fair and equitable treatment of all people. And in America, that means that you have to pay attention to the policies and the politicians.
What I mean is that, working in healthcare for so long I was very concerned about people having access to healthcare. However, what I began to realize is that we had in Texas legislators and a governor who refused federal dollars that could have expanded Medicaid for children, those for who are poor and are eligible for Medicare. So, it forced me to be cognizant of the political issues.
When I think about what’s going on in our educational system and the fact that I believe in a strong public education system, however, we have, again, a state legislature that withholds $33 billion in excess funding so that our schools continue to be underfunded, then, once again, I’m forced to think about the politics and the politicians.
Again, when I have a friend, a couple, they are pregnant, expecting a child, but now I’m very concerned because she’s having difficulties in the pregnancy. And I know that because of the legislation that was passed, her health could be jeopardized during this pregnancy. Her life could be in jeopardy because of this pregnancy, and because of the laws that were passed. Then I have to be concerned about the politics and the politicians.
And then lastly, when it comes to my own right to go vote and the fact that I see seniors having a harder time trying to complete ballots because we’re making mail-in ballots harder, and where the places where we can drop off ballots have been reduced to one place, and we’ve placed new restrictions that only that person can bring that ballot to drop it off, those types of voter suppressive activities make me, force me to have to pay attention to politics and politicians.
