On November 4th, 2008, Ulysses Martin voted for the first time in his life. Ulysses was 57 years old. Ulysses and I had been partners in a student and tutor pairing for the past several years.
While Ulysees’ reading skills had grown much since he made the decision to learn to read, nothing so signified how much he had progressed as voting in his first presidential election. With that single act, he crossed over barriers, both real and imagined, and signaled to himself and the world around him that he had achieved something important, something long hoped for, something precious that he earned for himself and no one could take from him.
If Ulysses’ reading skills are still developing, his knowledge of world affairs, his interests, and his opinions were those of a mature 57-year-old man. We discussed and debated the campaign and news items of interest and importance. As the campaign progressed we discussed voter registration.
After voting, we went to breakfast, and Ulysees told me, “We did it, our vote counted!” I believe at some level, that remark revealed a deeper, more fundamental connection to a community that he has often viewed from afar. In registering to vote and voting, Ulysees closed that gap and rightfully took a place in his community that he had long hoped for.
