Black Action Society meets, discusses voting

With so many of America’s congressmen being white, middle-aged men, it’s time for the real… With so many of America’s congressmen being white, middle-aged men, it’s time for the real faces of this country to take a stand, according to Carmen Berkley, Black Action Society’s Political Action Committee chairwoman.

As the Nov. 7 election quickly approaches, BAS has been doing all that it can to heighten awareness and enthusiasm for voting.

Last night’s politically charged BAS meeting was one filled with urgent messages to vote, including a special guest from the League of Young Voters and the showing of the documentary film “American Blackout.”

The meeting kicked off at 8:30 p.m. in the Kurtzman Room of the William Pitt Union with the call for anti-apathy by Michelle Coker from the League of Young Voters.

“You can make a change, your voice matters,” she said, addressing the audience of about 30 BAS members. “We’re just trying to get out the vote to those disenfranchised from voting, such as people of color and women.”

Following Coker’s urges to vote, “American Blackout” was screened. The film raised the issues of turning people away from the polls and the Republican party’s control of America’s voting machine.

As the credits rolled and the meeting drew to a close, most students in the room burst into applause and shouted their support of political activism and every vote’s power.

“They don’t expect us to come out and vote,” Berkley said as she wrapped up the meeting. “Can you imagine the voting power of 17,000 students at Pitt?”