Empowering Families: Preparing to Make Your Voice Heard in the 2026 Midterm Election
- James Jerome Hankin
- Sep 17
- 2 min read
17 September 2025
Voting
James Jerome Hankins, Excerpt from My Book:
“What We Blacks Need to Do Part-2 - Lesson #22 of 44 for parents and students preparing to register and “VOTE AGAINST” Trump’s timid allies in the November 3, 2026, midterm election.
Echo News TV LLC --Today's focus: **VOCATIONAL EDUCATION** is practical, job-focused training that prepares students for specific occupations, trades, or careers. In the 1960s, when I attended Williston Senior High, my vocational/shop class was bricklaying. We also studied auto mechanics, carpentry, drafting, and other hands-on subjects typically offered to boys, while the girls took Home Economics. Boys and girls learned tailoring, typing, and driver's education together. Elective classes included band, chorus, art, drama, French, and more. Every student had at least one class they enjoyed every day, which motivated them to study hard in that area. This is a significant reason we had few, if any, dropouts.
NOTE: Sly Stone was actually singing about education in his 1971 hit song “It’s A Family Affair.”
Students should engage in lengthy discussions with their parents, school counselors, and at least one teacher they admire and trust about selecting the classes needed to achieve their goals. Parents, be aware that your children may not want to follow in your footsteps, even if you own your business. Discuss options such as four-year colleges, community colleges, trade schools, military service, and apprenticeship programs with them.
After spending three years in the U.S. Army stationed in Germany, I utilized my GI Bill benefits to attend North Carolina A&T State University, where I majored in Building Construction. I returned home when my father, Edward, suffered a stroke and stayed to care for him until God welcomed him to Heaven. I became a shop teacher at my old school, Williston, and taught at another middle school, three high schools, and YouthBuild for the next 34 years.
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT: If you are unable or choose not to attend college, select one profession that interests you and research it in the Occupational Outlook Handbook.
A. PHILLIP RANDOLPH: “Patriotism has no appeal to us; justice has. Party has no weight with us; principles do. Loyalty is meaningless; it depends on what one is loyal to.”
I am proud to say that my best friend is an itinerant preacher and master carpenter. Do you know him? James Jerome Hankins is an author, journalist, Realtor®, coach, AFT Union Member, former NAACP local president, and Teacher-for-Life!
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