Date/Time
Date(s) - 07/21/2024
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Categories
Register here… https://bit.ly/abc-2024-07-21
In 1950, the American Political Science Association expressed concerns about the limited political polarization among Americans. Fast forward to the present, as the 2024 Election Day approaches, the political divide in the U.S. has significantly deepened, creating a stark contrast between blue and red Americans. The racial voter turnout gap continues to widen, prompting the Alaska Black Caucus to launch its voter empowerment project. Join us for a discussion featuring Bishop Henry Hearns, a native of Byhalia, Mississippi, born in 1933. Bishop Hearns, mayor emeritus of Lancaster, hails from humble beginnings and has firsthand experience with racism towards African Americans. Growing up as the son of sharecroppers, just a few generations removed from slavery, he faced various forms of prejudice. Bishop Hearns vividly remembers incidents like being drenched in urine by white students and encountering racist slurs in his secondhand school books. Also joining the conversation are Ed Wesley, former President of the NAACP and current Chair of the Political Action Committee; Michelle (Macuar) Sparck, director of Get Out the Native Vote (GOTNV), a non-profit organization based in Anchorage that focuses on voter education and engagement for Alaska Native communities. Sparck, a member of the Qissunamiut Tribe of Chevak raised in Bethel, has worked as a legislative aide in Washington, D.C. and Juneau, gaining valuable insights into policy-making at both federal and state levels. Committed to elevating the voices of Alaska Native and other BIPOC individuals in the political arena, Sparck aims to enhance civic participation across the state. Additionally, Theresa Lyons, the current NAACP chair of Women in the NAACP, emphasizes the pivotal role of women in the community and underscores the importance of supporting, empowering, and uplifting them through voting.
