Titles like Pharaoh, King, or Senator have been worn by many throughout history, but true power comes not from a name or position—it comes from truth. A leader, in the deepest sense, is someone who speaks truth to power, who is guided by truth in pursuing justice and liberty, and who fights to preserve these ideals. This power is not reserved for the few; it resides in each of us. We all have the capacity—and the responsibility—to lead with truth wherever we hold influence. In these critical times, we must wield this power, not just for ourselves, but for the generations who follow.
I often think of our most distinguished forefathers and mothers who knew this relationship between truth and power: Ida B. Wells, who used her writings to advance our people’s struggle; W.E.B Du Bois, whose words are still echoed in our spiritual strivings to this day; John Lewis, whose bravery and activism propelled this nation. They each knew of the power in truth and justice for all.
This is why I am not surprised that my community is placed at the center of such heinous racialized disinformation campaigns when this election is one of the most consequential in our lifetime. We are disproportionately targeted as compared to other communities in the United States, with upwards of 40 million being targeted in Black online spaces according to NBC.
At our nation’s pivotal turning point, our community is once again placed at the front and center of a vicious attack against our truths of life and liberty. Why is it our burden to once again be the defenders of democracy when our community is once again reduced to a point of data? It feels dismal, to say the least: to be a community fiercely targeted and undermined at every turn. But I believe those who target us recognize our power when we are guided by truth and fight for what is right.
We cannot let these attacks stand. Truth must prevail, and we must use our power to propel this nation into the light. In the face of these disinformation campaigns, I remember our civil rights leaders who fought tirelessly for justice to be delivered. If we are to defend democracy, we must confront this deceit head-on. We must fight for truth as much as we can. Whether that be through casting our vote, being active members of our community, or being the leaders that our forefathers were, we cannot allow ourselves to be reduced to points of data. We are people, members of a community: fathers, mothers, daughters, and sons of generations of strife.
At this point, I can assuredly say that power means far more than a simple title. Power is what is at stake this election season. The power to fight for the continued prosperity of this nation, or the power to tear us down. The power to enact meaningful and powerful social reforms, or the power to take our country backward, erasing years of historical social progress.
In essence, political and social power can be used for the benefit of this country—aiding at-risk communities, communities of color, and providing equitable education for all—or for its destruction—feeding into hatred, bigotry and divisiveness. Power can look very different for our country based on the decisions we make in this election.
It is easy for these issues to feel beyond us, as if these issues are outside of our control—that we do not have the facilities to control our future’s outcome. At times, we can easily feel helpless.
To this, I say that we are not, have never been, and will never be helpless. We have the power within ourselves to enact change and fight against unjust, immoral, and corrupt forces. We each have a voice to use, a heart that believes in the tenets of our democracy whether we acknowledge it or not. Power exists in each of us, and we must take advantage of the power we have now. The power to vote, the power to be active, and the power to push this country to the future with the voice we have now.
This election, I will not turn away from my solemn duty because I understand both where I come from and where this country could go. I recognize the power I have in my vote, in my voice, and in my actions and I intend to use it. We are not simply voting for our next President this year; voting rights, women’s rights, educational rights, and more key freedoms are all on the ballot this season.
I know the fight for truth and power is here once again, and that our promised rights and freedoms are at risk. I also know that individuals are looking for unjust, unchecked, and unbridled power which places this country at risk. That alone is enough to motivate my actions and to speak to the importance of truth.
In the face of that uncertainty alone, there is a clear need for the Black community and the community of color to show up and show out this, and all election seasons. We have a duty to vote—one that not very long ago was barely even a privilege.
We need to advance toward a brighter future, a path blazed by the modern-day movement for social justice: BLM, #MeToo, the fight for diversity, equity and inclusion, and the continued work of thousands of believers who have marched for their rights. If these movements have proved anything, it is that we have the power, and the fight for social justice goes on.
We have an obligation to that spirit to be active in our communities, in our homes, and in our hearts. We must find that voice which has been buried through years of abuse by a country we have fought and strived for. Under that scarred tissue there is a formidable voice. We must now let it speak truth to power—allow it to advocate for justice for all, and not allow the elect few to grab hold of power in this critical moment in history.
We the people of the Black community, citizens of this nation and inheritors of a movement, must advocate for truth and justice, with the power we have. We have fought too long; we will not go back.
Congresswoman Joyce Beatty represents Ohio’s Third Congressional District. She is Chair Emerita of the Congressional Black Caucus and Ranking Member of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on National Security, Illicit Finance, and International Financial Institutions.
TEAM EBONY – CONTENT
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Writers
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Josh Rodgers – @iamjoshrodgers
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Janald Dufont – @justjay_d
