By Chris Richburg
California rapper Eric 'Lil Eazy E' Wright Jr. was among a group of celebrities involved in launching a new voter registration campaign.
The My Hood Votes voter registration and education campaign kicked off on Saturday (October 11) as Wright and campaign founder and journalist Jasmyne Cannick registered Crips, Bloods and non-traditional potential voters throughout Compton.
The campaign received support from 93.5 The Beat FM as well as entertainers and community activists that included comedian/Radio Free 102.3 KJLH radio personality Guy Black, actress Terra Menyone from The Shield, The Foxx Hole w/Jamie Foxx co-host Felicia "The Poetess" Morris, Nation of Islam Minister and activist Tony Muhammad.
“My Hood Votes is us representing us. It's us going out and talking to each other the way that only we can about the importance of having some involvement in the political process,” Lil Eazy E told AllHipHop.com, admitting this will be the first time he has voted in an election.
“My pops loved Compton,” Lil Eazy continued. “I love Compton. This was the perfect opportunity to get it crackin' in my hometown with my family and take it into the streets.”
According to Cannick, My Hood Votes came about because of her personal dissatisfaction with Presidential hopefuls Barack Obama and John McCain as well as their running mates Joe Biden and Sarah Palin.
“Over the course of the presidential and vice-presidential candidate’s debates, it’s become crystal clear that both Democrats and Republicans are focused on one segment of the American population, the middle class. Hence, the absence of any mention of the word poverty, even though it is a way of life for more than 37 million people in this country,” Cannick said. “So while the candidates continue to be focused on the wealthy and middle class, in L.A., I've been focused on the hood.”
Created by Cannick, My Hood Votes is a grassroots education and mobilization campaign dedicated towards reaching non-traditional voters in underserved Black neighborhoods.
Since its inception, the campaign has partnered with rappers and entertainers in an effort to educate ex-felons on their right to vote.
The organization also reached out to nontraditional voters who aren’t influenced by elected officials or are not familiar with the happenings surrounding those running for local and national office.
As part of the launch, the Cannick, Wright and their celebrity supporters registered and educated would be and non-likely voters as they traveled throughout downtown Compton, registering hundreds of people.
“I think for me, registering a member of a Blood gang to vote shows the change that has been inspired in me and those in the community,” said Wright, who serves as the official spokesperson for My Hood Votes. “I say that because homeboy didn't have to register to vote and he didn't have to do it with me. He knew who I was and who my father was and he put all of that aside and we got down to business and he registered to vote. Now that's what it's all about.”
Over the next four years, The My Hood Votes will expand the campaign into a national effort.
My Hood Votes is currently based out of Southern California.
For details on the My Hood Votes campaign, visit http://www.MyHoodVotes.com.