CMG Contributor Saul Davis
In today’s digital age, knowledge is power, and access to information has never been
easier—yet it’s still a challenge for many communities to access the information that
really matters. This is especially true for Black, Hispanic, and other minority
communities who often bear the brunt of legislation and policies that are decided behind
closed doors. Our voices are too often marginalized, our needs ignored, and our
concerns brushed aside. But we have a tool that can change all that. Technology.
As minority communities, we have more power at our fingertips than we realize. Using
apps and digital tools, we can stay informed about critical legislative changes, track the
actions of our elected officials, and make sure that our voices are heard. Let’s explore
how technology can help us reclaim our power, one app at a time.
Apps That Keep Us Informed
Knowledge is the foundation of advocacy. If we don’t know what’s happening, we can’t
take action. Fortunately, several apps are designed to help us stay up to date on
policies and legislation that impact our lives:
1. Countable – This app makes it easy to stay informed about bills in Congress.
Countable provides summaries of proposed legislation, offers insights into how it
will impact you, and even allows you to send messages directly to your
representatives. It’s like having a direct line to your elected officials in the palm of
your hand.
2. Ballotpedia – Ballotpedia provides comprehensive coverage of local, state, and
federal elections, as well as up-to-date information on politicians and the issues
they’re voting on. For those who want to track their officials’ voting records, this is
the app for you.
3. iCitizen – iCitizen allows you to follow the issues that matter to you and get
notifications about legislation related to those topics. It also provides tools for
engaging in meaningful conversations with other users, so you can share
perspectives and build a stronger community voice.
4. Vote Smart – This app provides details on the voting records, positions, and
endorsements of elected officials, so you can track how closely they align with
your interests and values. It’s a powerful tool for holding them accountable and
making sure they truly represent your community.
5. Resistbot – When it’s time to take action, Resistbot is there to help. By simply
texting, you can send messages, sign petitions, and even send faxes to your
elected officials. It’s quick, easy, and effective.
Empowering Ourselves and Our Communities
Staying informed is just the first step. Once we know what’s happening, we can use
these tools to advocate for ourselves and our communities:
Track the Issues that Matter Most – Apps like iCitizen let you follow specific
issues, whether it’s criminal justice reform, immigration, or healthcare. By
focusing on the areas that impact your life the most, you can make sure you’re
always in the know about critical changes.
Engage with Local Officials – Often, the most impactful changes happen at the
local level. Using Ballotpedia, you can stay informed about local elections and
track the performance of your city council members, mayors, and school board
representatives.
Amplify Our Voices Through Social Media – Many of these apps make it easy
to share information on social media, helping you to inform others in your
community. By sharing legislative updates, organizing community responses, and
rallying around important issues, you can amplify your voice and the voices of
others.
Taking Action: Holding Officials Accountable
Knowing about legislation and staying informed is critical, but the real power lies in what
we do with that knowledge. Here’s how to take action:
1. Contact Your Representatives – Apps like Resistbot make it easy to reach out
to your officials directly. Let them know where you stand on issues, and remind
them that you’re paying attention.
2. Organize Community Discussions – Use social media and messaging apps to
organize discussions with others in your community. The more informed we are,
the more powerful our voices become. This is especially critical for communities
of color, where we often face systemic barriers to information and resources.
3. Vote in Every Election – Staying informed is essential, but voting is where we
exercise our power. Whether it’s a local election or a presidential race, every vote
counts. Apps like Vote Smart and Ballotpedia can help you make informed
decisions at the polls.
The Time for Change is Now
As Black, Hispanic, and minority communities, we’ve seen firsthand how a lack of
information can lead to policies that hurt us, laws that marginalize us, and systems that
ignore us. But we have the tools to change that. By staying informed, staying
connected, and staying active, we can hold our elected officials accountable and
demand the changes that we deserve. Technology gives us the power to turn
awareness into action and action into change.
Let’s use it. The time for change is now. Let’s make sure our voices are heard loud and
clear. [email protected]
