Standing on the field of the Durham County Stadium, the Rev. Al Sharpton shouted to an enthusiastic crowd: “Obama! Obama! We have to get out and vote.”
The civil rights activist made a surprise guest appearance during halftime at last weekend’s homecoming football game. Sharpton is just one in a stream of celebrities who have visited area HBCUs in support of Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama. In recent weeks, actresses’ Raven Symone and Tatyana Ali made appearances as well to drum up support from young voters who some experts predict will be a key factor in this year’s presidential election. North Carolina is a key battleground state on the road to the White House. “I’m going to change my registration to N.C. so I can vote early,” Shaw junior Xania Steele said.
According to the N.C. for Obama campaign, the celebrity appearances are part of a plan to kick off early voting. “Don’t vote for Obama because I say you should, check the facts and vote because he is the best candidate in this critical election,” Symone said as she entered Spaulding Gymnasium on Shaw University’s campus. Symone said early voting is the key to an Obama victory in a state that is up for grabs.
Meanwhile, some Shaw students said they are looking for more information from the campaign of Republican Presidential Candidate John McCain. “I was a Hillary supporter, and I don’t really trust the government so I’m not sure who to vote for, but it would help if the McCain campaign made more student initiatives,” Shaw senior Mikhails Wright said.
According to the McCain headquarters, a Students for McCain initiative is under way. In N.C., students at Duke University spearhead the movement. However, McCain officials could not confirm if there is a specific initiative for area HBCU students.
Some students said it is a mistake for any candidate to ignore the minority student vote. “If the McCain campaign doesn’t attempt to show up to Historically Black Colleges and Universities with student initiatives, he will not receive student votes,” Shaw senior John Kornegay said.
Kornegay said some HBCU students would at least volunteer with the McCain campaign if they knew more about him other than what is portrayed in the media.