We Shall Not Be Denied: Preparing the Voters of the Future
The U.S. elections are swiftly approaching and voting remains a powerful way citizens can create change in democratic societies. We Shall Not Be Denied: A Timeline of Voting Rights and Suppression in America offers a chronological look at who could vote and who could not throughout US history.
When one citizen is denied their right to vote, their voice is silenced. Throughout US history, many Americans from underrepresented groups have fought, suffered, and even died for the right to vote. Their hard work and courage allowed many to gain the right to vote, but challenges still remain and affect many voters today.
With sidebars, maps, and a timeline that runs throughout, We Shall Not Be Denied explains modern-day voting rights issues and how even those who are not old enough to vote can make a difference. They can get informed about our country’s leaders, make their voices heard, and spread the word about the importance of voting!
Authors Cayla Bellanger DeGroat and Cicely Lewis join us today to share why this book is so important for young readers and what the right to vote means to them.
A Message from Cayla Bellanger DeGroat
Growing up on the White Earth Ojibwe reservation in northwestern Minnesota, I had the privilege of seeing the power of the vote. Some of my earliest memories are of spending time with my grandparents, playing nearby as they talked politics with other tribal members or attended public meetings. My parents brought me with them to the polls when they voted in tribal, state, and national elections (a bit of excellent parenting that I am very grateful for). Our voting precinct was in a small building in the middle of the woods, an old one-room schoolhouse. In November there were always boards thrown down in the parking lot to help voters traverse the massive ruts of mud and huge puddles that lead to the door. To me, it was the coolest thing ever, and I couldn’t wait to vote when I was old enough.
Sooner than I want to admit, my small children will be eligible to vote. I want them to know that their voices are important to their country. All children deserve to know this. Voting is the foundation of our agency as citizens, and we all deserve to be heard.
Born and raised in White Earth, Minnesota, Cayla Bellanger DeGroat is an enrolled member of Gaa-waabaabiganikaag, the White Earth Band of Ojibwe. She is a life-long student of Indigenous history and federal Indian policy with a Bachelor of Arts in American Indian Studies and Master of Tribal Administration and Governance from the University of Minnesota Duluth.
A Message from Cicely Lewis
John Lewis once said, “The vote is precious. It is almost sacred. It is the most powerful non-violent tool we have in a democracy.” I truly believe that one of the greatest gifts we can offer our students is the power of voter education. In a world where misinformation can easily spread, it’s essential that we equip our young people with factual, clear information about voting and its significance. Knowing this history directly impacted me as a first time voter. As I cast my vote, tears ran down my face because I knew the blood, sweat and tears that had been shed to get me to voting booth. I carry these thoughts with me every time I vote. That is the power of education.
I had the incredible honor of collaborating with Cayla to create We Shall Not Be Denied, a resource that I am confident will empower students at every level—from elementary through high school. One of the highlights of this book is the timeline running along the bottom of each page, which beautifully illustrates the history of voting rights and the long fight for equality. I also wrote a letter directly to students because I want them to feel the weight of the power they hold.
The “Take Action” section is especially meaningful to me because it shows students how they can make a difference, even before they’re old enough to vote. This book is more than a book about the history of voting rights; it’s a call to action. My hope is that this book inspires young readers and future voters to understand the struggles of the past, so they can stand tall as agents of change today.
Cicely Lewis is a school librarian with a passion for creating lovers of reading based in Georgia. In 2017, she started the Read Woke challenge in response to the shootings of young unarmed black people, the repeal of DACA, and the lack of diversity in young adult literature. She was named the 2020 National Librarian of the Year by School Library Journal and Scholastic, a 2019 Library Journal Mover and Shaker and the 2019 National Teacher Award for Lifelong Readers by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) and Penguin Random House (PRH).
Praise for We Shall Not Be Denied
“The authors have successfully written a thought-provoking, informative book, providing ample information without overwhelming readers with huge blocks of text. Delightfully to the point and packed with information, this book would serve as a great starting point for students who are doing research.” — starred, Booklist
“A smart and succinct work, a straightforward guide to the history of voting rights in the U.S.” — Publishers Weekly
“A succinct and approachable exploration of voting rights and suppression in the United States . . . A strong choice for American history and civics curriculum.” — School Library Journal
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