Have you ever heard the term White Suffrage, Black Suffrage, or Women’s Suffrage? The Latin word Suffrage has two sacred meanings, one a civic function and the other a spiritual discipline. It is defined as: “the right to vote, especially in a political election; a vote given in favor of a proposed measure, candidate, or the like.

Ecclesiastical. a prayer, especially a short intercessory prayer or petition.”

https://www.dictionary.com/browse/suffrage

In October, with the election around the corner, Three-Fifths Magazine takes a spiritual and intellectual look at this Homonym. Is there a message for today to share with others about “Your Consecrated Vote?” Why are the votes of color often seen as a threat or somehow fraudulent, disrespected, and at times taken for granted?

Historically, the message to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color in America has been, “You can pray, but don’t vote.”

Fanny Lou Hammer said, “You can pray until you faint, but if you don’t get up and try to do something, God is not going to put it in your lap.”