On October 21, students gathered in Gibbs Hall to rally their support and await the arrival of Congressmen Kendrick Meeks.
Meeks, a 1989 Florida A & M alumnus was welcomed by the students of his alma mater, as he spoke about the importance of voting and electing him to serve as their representative in the U.S. Senate.
“This is not about me, it’s about the people of good will. The reason I wanted to come by here is because if I did not come by here as a Rattler, if I did not come by here as a serious candidate for the United States Senate, it would not fulfill my obligation for institution that allows me to stand up straight, sent me off to a life to where I can represent other people. I think it’s important that we realize the moment.” Meeks said.
During his speech, Meeks stressed the importance of getting out and voting during this election.
“Use your activism to get this vote out,” Meeks said.
During the 60s back when folks could not go downtown and take for granted what they’re doing right now. Sitting at the lunch counter, it was FAMU students that liberated this community. So I think it’s very, very important that we take this moment as a moment of leadership, as a moment to fulfill your credentials of heroes and she-roes. Some of the boldest leaders in this country’s history, were leaders at the age of 25. I think it’s very important to take up arms, their voting arms, to go and vote early.”
FAMU chapter of the College Democrats president, Vincent Evans, 21, a political science student from Jacksonville says that he believes it is important for young African Americans to get out and exercise their right to vote because of the impact it has one the state and the country.
“In 2008 they saw the history we made around this nation in electing the first African American president and we let them know that anything can happen in the world and that they too can live out their God given potential. This is just another historic election where we have the opportunity to do something like we did in 2008. That’s why it’s important and that’s what the meaning behind it is,” Evans said
DeAngela Scott, 22, a biology student from Atlanta, said that’s it’s important for young African Americans to get out and vote because of what is does to them later in life.
“I feel that it’s important for us to build habits now while we’re younger just to get in the habit of voting now, so that when we become adults, we’ll already have that and we can just carry that over,” Scott said.