Thomas Mundy Peterson almost couldn’t see straight. As a formerly enslaved man, fear of white retribution made him want to jump out of his skin – but he wanted real justice for his people.
Enslavement had oppressed Black people for generations. Peterson was lucky to have a job as a janitor, but he was still poor. Would voting change his and his people’s life?
He shakily dropped his slip of paper in the box and left. What happened next was both a blessing and a curse.
As a memento, they gave Peterson a one-of-a-kind gold medal, which he wore with pride – until poverty overwhelmed him, and with regret, he pawned it. At that moment, the only form of justice for him was making ends meet – as most of our people still worry about, even though we work hard.
Being the first Black person to vote was an achievement in Peterson’s life, one he always cherished. Unfortunately, seven years later, whites stripped Blacks once again of voting rights!
Peterson practiced his right to vote in an attempt to see justice served for his people – even if the impact was less than he hoped. Though voting itself is an imperfect tool, we must make our voices heard by using every tool we have to fight white supremacy!