Black Women of South Carolina: Just Vote. Please.

I'm told by the press that one-sixth of the voters in the South Carolina Democratic primary will be African American women.

In short: Ah Sookie, Sookie now! (For those of you who didn't grow up with black mothers, loosely translated, this means "Watch out, now" or, as my older sister would say, "It's on like Donkey Kong.")

Sisters in South Carolina will be the first significant group of African American women to weigh in on the Democratic primary. No offense to our Nevada sisters, but they simply didn't make up one-sixth of the Democratic voters in the state.

I've made my preferences known on this blog since December. And yes, my Obama lawn sign is in the mail. But all that I would ask of my South Carolina sisters is this: Vote. Just vote. I don't care who you vote for. Just vote.

You will be the first significant expression of the will of African American women voters. Women voters whom Gloria Steinem seemed to forget about in her offensive January 8 New York Times op-ed. Voters whom the polls seem to leave out when they say, "Women voters went for Clinton, while black voters went for Obama." To borrow from Soujourner Truth, ain't we women? And ain't we black, too?

Let's face it. The Iowa caucuses weren't diverse, and both the New Hampshire primary and the South Carolina Republican primary were pretty much devoid of black voters. Nevada was more diverse, but we black women weren't represented in nearly the numbers we will be this Saturday in South Carolina. That is, if you do your part.

And your timing couldn't be more perfect. Sandwiched in between the not-so-diverse primaries and caucuses and Super-Duper Tuesday, your numbers will be in large part a bellweather for the Democratic candidates. You just might be king- or queenmakers. This is a wonderful catbird seat to be sitting in.

So all that I ask is that you vote in the large numbers you are projected to represent. We can fight about the candidates later. Just speak in significant enough numbers so that the candidates will have no choice but to pay attention to the rest of us sisters when they come to our states.

I'll be supporting you in spirit, staying up, watching the returns. And making sure no one steals my Obama lawn sign.