Negro Election Day

Jerry Halberstadt Fri, 07/19/2024 - 02:11

Negro Election Day was hot and sunny.

 

Doreen Wade, President of Salem United, Inc.
Doreen Wade, President of Salem United, Inc., speaks at the flag raising ceremony.
Elderly man speaking to people in background
Jerry Halberstadt speaking about Doreen Wade (multicolored dress) to group of officials, candidates, and citizens at the flag raising ceremony. Photo: Phil Thayer

Greetings.

It is a privilege to honor the dedication of Black people to democracy even through the trials of slavery to the challenges of today.

Doreen Wade and the members of Salem United, Inc. have helped to revive and strengthen this annual gathering, and in collaboration with our legislators, including Senator Joan Lovely and Representative Paul Tucker, have made Negro Election Day a state holiday.

More than that, Doreen has worked tirelessly to build a bridge of understanding and welcome to include the wider community in this celebration of Black strength and unity and the value of democracy.

How can we build connections between the rich and the poor, the privileged and the disadvantaged, and bring the whole community together in a common goal while meeting the needs of all?

Too often we fix things for the middle class only, or we create programs to provide solutions for the disadvantaged that don’t have broad support and don’t create lasting change. We need to empower everyone to take control of their destiny and make them equal partners.

Let us find a way to empower those we wish to help, such as the environmental justice world, and work together to solve the problems of prejudice, health, and the climate.

Let us take lessons from Doreen Wade!

What do we want? Justice!

When do we want it? Now!

Doreen Wade
Doreen Wade
Doreen Wade listens as Senator Joan B. Lovely speaks.
Doreen Wade listens as Senator Joan B. Lovely speaks.

 

Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo speaks at flag raising ceremony
Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo speaks at the flag raising ceremony
Doreen Wade, dignitaries, and onlookers
Representative Manny Cruz speaks as Doreen Wade, dignitaries, and onlookers listen
People listening to speeches at the flag raising ceremony
People listening to speeches at the flag raising ceremony
A very gracious woman
Marva, a very gracious woman, offered me food, drink, a place to rest as I passed by her family barbecue.
Young woman gesturing as she speaks
Roni, a community organizer for the North Shore Community Development Coalition describes their work in the Point neighborhood of Salem
Woman vendor
Jessica Frazier Vasquez, a vendor of  jewelry she creates, presenting her wares at the Negro Election Day
Man at vendor booth
Ron from Georgia
Woman
Veronica Miranda, Chair of the Salem Housing Authority Board, attends the event
Veronica Miranda, a tenant Commissioner and the Chair of the Salem Housing Authority Board, attends the event with her daughter
Representative Manny Cruz and Phil Thayer, MCAN board member, talk environmental legislation
Representative Manny Cruz and Phil Thayer, Mass Climate Action Network board member, talk about environmental legislation.

 

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