Caribbean-American community as never before. Over the past few weeks wherever Caribbean people gather, the conversation invariably shifts to the presidential primaries taking place in several states. Fueling increased interest in politics is the fierce competition between the leading Democratic contenders for that party’s nomination, Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.

However, despite the passion being displayed within the Caribbean community, there are indications that a large percentage of this community is not eligible to vote. To make a meaningful contribution to the political process, one has to be eligible to vote, and use that vote as well.

Of course, only people who are American citizens have the opportunity and the right to vote – a right which Black people were given 45 years ago after years of bitter struggle, humiliation, and deprivation. Voting rights must never been taken for granted. But, there are thousands of legal permanent residents in the community, residing in the U.S. consistently for over 5 years, without criminal records, who have still not applied for citizenship. There are two reasons for this. One is that there is an unbelievable sense of apathy. Some people have no interest in becoming citizens once they can travel freely to and from the Caribbean, hold a job in the U.S. and enjoy the fruits of the American lifestyle. The other reason is ignorance. There are still Caribbean people who believe that if they become citizens of the U.S. they have to give up the citizenship of their country of birth. This is just not true. Most Caribbean countries allow for dual citizenship.

But, even when Caribbean residents obtain their citizenship, many have not registered to vote. Some think once they are sworn in as citizens they have the automatic right to vote. This is not so, one has to register in order to vote. This can be done at any Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) office, the day a person is sworn in as a citizen, or any time after. When people register to vote, it is also important for them to state their affiliation to one of the two major parties, Democrat or Republican. This is not mandatory, but advisable. As several Caribbean-American voters found out in the January 29 primary, people cannot vote in primaries, which are for preference for candidates in either party, unless they have a party affiliation.

Several registered voters, who stated either NPA (No Party Affiliation) or Independent when they registered, were very disappointed when they turned up to vote for their favorite presidential candidate, but was unable to because they had no party affiliation. This was something new to many voters, who believed because they were able to vote with NPA or Independent status in past presidential elections, this could be done in the primaries.

It is understood that one of the reasons that people register as NPA or Independent is that they are leery of making their party affiliation known, since back in some Caribbean countries, it can be dangerous to openly declare party affiliations. But, this is America and there is much greater political tolerance than exists in the Caribbean. Some individuals may be reluctant to state a party affiliation because they don’t want to commit to either party, but once you register with a party affiliation, this can easily be changed. So, if one wants to vote in primaries for local elections coming up again in August, one needs to select a party.

It is becoming increasingly apparent that there is need for more political education among the Caribbean community. These are not easy times in America. They are fraught with challenges that require strong, honest, committed and fearless leadership. Politics now, more than ever, impacts the life of every American. Every decision made in a city or county commission, the State House in Tallahassee or, in the U.S. Congress is a political decision which affects every aspect of our lives. Therefore, the right to vote for individuals who make decisions that impact so significantly on our lives is a very crucial right. Debating pressing issues and who ones favorite candidate is may be good, but what really matters is the ability to vote for whomever we think can best represent us and attend to those issues.

All those who are eligible to become citizens must apply for citizenship. Those who are citizens must immediately register to vote, and try their best to state a party affiliation. Most importantly, those who are eligible to vote must be cognizant of the struggle that gave us this right to vote. It's a struggle that began with the ending of slavery, taken up by Marcus Garvey, Rosa Parks, Malcolm X, Medgar Evers, Martin Luther King Jr. and several others, leading to this day when we have the unique option to select either a woman, a Black man, or a white man to be the next president. Being aware of this struggle, the liberties we have today, and the challenges ahead, are strong motivating factors why we should become citizens and vote.