“A hot, flaming mess.” That’s how one organizer described a recent election in Georgia, where some voters in largely Black districts were reportedly forced to wait for six hours to cast their ballots, while some predominantly white districts had no lines at all. As states continue to hold primary elections, learn how voter suppression has historically disenfranchised Black Americans, and how you can spot (and do something about) voter suppression in your community. Then check out the rest of WYD to see how your vote has the power to impact racial justice in 2020 and beyond.

Let’s Do This,
Ben, Editor-in-chief and Newly Re-Registered Voter

Find Out How Your Vote Can Impact Racial Justice in 2020

Your vote has the power to tackle racial disparities in education, healthcare, homelessness, criminal justice, and more.

The last month’s protests have forced cities and states to reform and replace police departments. They’ve forced schools to introduce anti-racism curriculum. They’ve even forced Disney to rebrand the Splash Mountain ride after The Princess and The Frog after being called out for ties to racism and slavery.

The uprising for racial justice is being powered by protests and petitions. And there’s a third crucial “p” in this fight: the polls. Learn how your vote has the power to impact racial justice, and the way it intersects with the other causes you care about most.

1) Your vote can impact racial health disparities in your community. Did you know that the death rate from COVID-19 is approximately twice as high among Black Americans compared to white Americans? Elected officials can determine testing availability, physical distancing enforcements, and economic relief measures that may influence the impact of the pandemic.

2) Your vote can impact racial disparities in education in your community. Did you know that school segregation still persists in America? Over 40% of Black and Latinx students attend highly segregated schools, which is also associated with fewer educational opportunities. School boards, city council members, and mayors can determine funding and resources available to students. In some localities, citizens can even vote directly on school budgets.

3) Your vote can shape the direction of criminal justice in your community. Did you know Black Americans are 2.5 times as likely as white Americans to be shot and killed by police or that Black Americans make up about a third of the prison population despite making up only 12% of the overall US population? Elected officials in your city or state can determine funding for police and social programs as well as punishments or protections for police misconduct.

4) Your vote can shape the future of housing and basic needs accessibility in your community. Did you know that Black Americans make up 40% of the homeless population, despite only being 13% of the overall population? Elected officials and ballot measures in your city or state can determine housing regulations, laws that criminalize homelessness, and funding for social programs.

Over 18,777 DoSomething members have taken the quiz in the last two weeks. Answer four questions to see how your vote can impact racial justice near you.

Meet the DoSomething members celebrating Pride!

Considering ⅔ of LGBTQ youth hear their families make negative comments about the queer community, quaranting at home can create an unsupportive or unsafe environment for my LGBTQ teens.

That’s why DoSomething members like (from left to right) Amber, Matt (and friends!), and Ruby are making Pride-themed signs and masks for their communities (and our digital Pride Solidarity Wall) to show LGBTQ youth they’re not alone. June is coming to a close, but you can make Pride visible year-round. (Oh! And scroll to the bottom for other members’ Pride photos.)

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My hero today is… 20-year-old Nifa Kaniga, who spends hours each day standing on a street corner answering his neighbor’s questions about racism.

My *other* hero today is… 9-year-old Kamryn Johnson, who has raised nearly $100,000 for Black-owned businesses selling friendship bracelets.

If you want to earn the chance at scholarships… for volunteering (no essay, GPA, or recommendation required) subscribe to Pays To Do Good, our monthly scholarship newsletter.

Not so “hidden” anymore… “Hidden Figure” Mary W. Jackson, the first Black woman engineer at NASA, will be the new namesake of NASA’s headquarters.

This week in Dogs of DoSomething… my parents’ new puppy, Sir Alvin Kensington, is officially my best friend and my parents’ favorite son. I can’t blame them.