Hope and Power in North Carolina

By Monica Gibbs

I live in North Carolina, a state that has been in the headlines this election year more times than I can count. The type of leaders who have been voted into elected positions here do not represent the best interests of me or my community. It's as though every struggle that we thought we had overcome decades ago are far from over.

Living in a world where information comes from various sources - and sometimes not the best sources - I understand how some communities can feel discouraged and how misinformed citizens have become. As I meet with potential voters I realize that when faced with issues like women's rights, healthcare inequities, and criminal justice, that people feel everything but hope. Many want to know how we got here and what power we have to change anything.

The NAACP North Carolina state convention brought many NAACP branches together for the first time this election season and you could feel the shift in the rooms after every dynamic speaker. There was excitement and the possibility that hope was being restored. In our sessions, we talked about the issues and shared strategies to take back to our communities. There were connections made activation plans made and connections. For three days, we were all reminded of our power.

What I have seen through this work is that I have the power to restore hope.

People are looking for opportunities to participate, people are looking for ways to exercise their voices but sometimes they simply need to be reminded of their power.

One conversation can remind them that through voting and civic participation they have the power to make great change.

In preparation for November 5, I have had to mentor, collaborate, advocate, and educate. I have been an example to my family and friends of what happens when civic engagement transforms communities. As a woman with a family and large extended family, I carry the responsibility to lead my community. I see what knowing and exercising my power as a citizen has done for others. I have learned that now is the time more than ever that I must use my power. What is my power? My power is to show up, my power is to mobilize, and my power is to vote. I can only hope that I have done my part in reminding others to know their own power as well.

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Monica Gibbs is the NAACP's North Carolina State Civic Engagement Director.