A Voting Rights Activity Journal

CHOPPIN IT UP ON THE ANT MOUND WITH QUEEN AZINA AND BLACK GIRL MAGIC

A Voting Rights Activity Journal

By J. Darnell Johnson

Illustrated by Mychal Batson

It’s 2024, and it’s a major election year for city, state, and federal offices. When it comes to voting, every vote counts—no excuses. As African Americans, it is crucial that our voices are heard, and that the importance of voting is taught before we reach voting age. And who better to break it down than J. Darnell Johnson with Chopping it Up on the Ant Mound with Queen Azina and Black Girl Magic.

Through the familiar characters of Queen Azina, Taliyah, and Amonye, Johnson, inspired by his granddaughters, has created an interactive journal for youth aged 12-17 to discuss the history of voting rights and the serious issue of voter suppression and its many forms over time. In the past, such forms of voter suppression took the form of intimidation, poll taxes, discriminatory literacy tests, simply refusing to serve African Americans, etc. Today, we’re faced with such methods as closing polling places, gerrymandering, prohibiting early voting and mail-in ballots, purging registered voters from the records claiming voter fraud, to name a few.

Johnson illustrates his points well, citing civil rights leaders and voting rights activists such as Fannie Lou Hamer, John Lewis, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Stacey Abrams. In addition, he references one of his previous works, Jamal and Me: Freedom Summer. At the end of the day, given those of our people who fought and died for the right to vote, that right is never something to be taken lightly, as stated in this quote by John Lewis: “The vote is precious. It is the most powerful nonviolent tool we have in a democratic society, and we must use it.”

I love the way Queen Azina and Black Girl Magic break it down to invoke thought and action, and the ways the journal provides for young people to engage in the community, dismantle voter suppression when they see it, and educate themselves. I also love Johnson’s story, “What Voter Suppression Might Look Like for a Black Child.”

Choppin it Up on the Ant Mound is available through his website, jdarnelljohnson.com.

Thank you, James, for speaking truth to power, and increasing awareness of this vital issue to our young people. Our right to vote is our voice, our voices must be heard, and our lives do depend upon it.