This morning I was reading through Capitol Morning Report (an influential political subscription web site) and came across a press release from an organization called “My Hood Votes.”  After doing a little internet research, I discovered that My Hood Votes is a “grassroots education and mobilization campaign designed to engage non-traditional voters in underserved Black neighborhoods commonly referred to as ‘the hood…’” The organization kicked off its campaign by holding a voter registration drive on Saturday in Compton. Photos of the event show several African-American men wearing Barack Obama t-shirts as they roam their “hood” registering voters. 

Upon visiting the My Hood Votes web site, a profanity-laced rap song began playing: “Above the Law” by rapper Black Superman. It seemed an appropriate song to describe the My Hood Votes activities. If it wasn’t so alarmingly serious, the web site would almost seem like a stereotypical satire on the inner city. Take the message that greets web site visitors (along with the ribald rap music): “Chances are that if you are reading this online…you are not the MY HOOD VOTES target audience. But you can still help us represent. Help us reach those brothers and sisters in your hood.” (Is this GOTV Compton-style?) 

According to My Hood Votes co-organizer Jasmyne Cannick, "Welfare mothers, gangbangers, hustlers, prostitutes, dope dealers, the homeless—are all potential voters, and if every vote counts, well then, so does theirs." So apparently the “target audience” for My Hood Votes includes convicted felons, or, to break it down, those ineligible to vote.

But lest you think that “My Hood Votes” is treading the same illicit path as ACORN, i.e., registering felons, the web site features a prominent link titled “Got Felonies?”  The site clearly states that only ex-felons may register to vote and vote, as long as they are not in prison or on parole. So if you can describe yourself as a hustler, prostitute or dope dealer, and you haven’t been convicted of being such, you’re free to take advantage of My Hood Votes services. In fact, there’s a flyer on the web site that can be distributed to neighborhood criminals explaining their rights. And there’s a special web site section for inmates—in case you’ll be out of jail in time for Election Day (or you want your Vote by Mail ballot to be waiting for you on the outside). 

You can’t make this stuff up…

This entry was posted on Monday, October 13th, 2008 at 12:00 am and is filed under Blog Posts.