Written by Tanya Terry
All votes matter. In three elections from 2018 to 2022, 37% of citizens who were eligible to vote cast their ballot every time, making the highest turnout U.S. elections of their respective types in decades. But voting statistics still show voter turnout differs by race and ethnicity. 43% of White citizens who were eligible to vote in all three elections did so. Yet, the number of Black voters who voted in each election was 27% and the figure is only 19% for Hispanic voters, according to data from the Pew Research Center.
To create opportunities to discuss the impact of early voting and voting in general, on Sunday, October 27, Thredz 5-County Youth hosted “Motown & Muffins to the Polls.” The event brought people together outside Flint City Hall in a nostalgic, music-filled gathering. It featured classic Motown karaoke, delicious muffins and urban-themed painting. Themes for the paintings included sneakers, boomboxes or urban men and women wearing crowns.
Marria McIntosh, president and CEO of Thredz.org, explained the youth had chosen three topics to focus on previously. One topic was polarization: feeling like their voices didn’t count. The second was lack of trust in government and leadership. The third topic was gentrification and affordable housing. Ironically, these were the same topics adults with Thredz.org selected the previous year.
“What that says is our community is suffering from being underrepresented; They’re suffering from feeling like they have any power, and that when they express their feelings they struggle with believing oftentimes that the people that represent them are actually listening and taking their information into account,” stated McIntosh. “Thirdly, they’re feeling as if not only that they don’t have enough affordable housing and that they’re being priced and pushed out in terms of gentrification…but they also believe that they are not able to participate in the progress of community at an equitable rate.”
“When we are underrepresented at the polls, that really deepens those types of issues – and it really just perpetuates the same stereotypes or feelings within our community,” McIntosh added.
She said: “We’re charged with making sure we know and understand there’s power within our voice, and that our voice matters – and that no matter what age we are we can stand up and exercise that power.”
McIntosh told the Courier that after “Motown & Muffins to the Polls” took place in Flint, Thredz.org leaders asked the youth what they liked about the past weekend.
“One of the things they said about Flint is they really felt at home. They really felt that they connected with the people in Flint. I asked them: ‘Why do you think that is?’ They said: ‘Well, they’re just like us!’
McIntosh said” “These Black and Brown issues and these Black and Brown struggles, and even struggles from a humanity level, they don’t stop with county lines, railroad tracks and state lines. They really infiltrate into all other communities. You really can take these issues, uproot them out of one community and put them in another community – and they’re almost identical.”
The Muskegon-based organization also hosted “Rap w/ Ya Rep” Community Vision Party & Panel on October 19, in Muskegon, where youth-led discussions with local, state and community representatives on key community issues.
In Detroit, on October 26, the “Message & Motion to the Polls” event took place at the famous Fisher Theater, directly across from the Detroit Department of Elections. Youth leaders engaged attendees in a vibrant morning of cardio and yoga, combining physical wellness with a strong message about the importance of civic responsibility. Participants enjoyed a refreshing blend of movement and community spirit, reinforcing the connection between wellness and active citizenship.
Back in Muskegon, on October 30, Thredz 5-County Youth held a festive Halloween-themed event with costumes, trick-or-treating, and “Trunk or Treat” activities, all while encouraging early voting.
For the weekend of November 2-3, 2024, Thredz 5-County Youth are in Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids for Kings Queens & Canvas (Painting at the Polls), Message & Motion to the Polls and Motown & Muffins to the Polls.
“The goal is really high energy. With any of these themed events, the goal is about getting people excited and getting them engaged around early voting.”
For more information or to get involved with Thredz.org and their mission, visit www.Thredz.org.