"If Elliott could vote he would...and you should too!"
Please read Elliott's message before you vote.


Hello everyone.
I hope you are all well. As for me, I fell and skinned my knee. But that doesn't really matter to me. What's really important is the future of our world. This planet. The one we call home. In the next few days you will be able to vote and that means that you get to say what happens next in our country. Some say that there is no hope, but anything is possible if you believe.

I want to tell you a story about my granddad. Many years ago when he was a child, he sat in his classroom dreaming that maybe one day he could be the President of the United States. He said he felt so proud when the teacher asked him, "James, what would like to be when you grow up?" He stood up tall and shouted, "President! The President of The United States!" He said that he will never forget the look on his teacher's face when she said to him, "James that is not possible because of your race." My granddad said, "I sat down in my chair and put my hands to my face. I felt so sad and embarrassed because she said that I was the wrong race."

I will never forget that story that my granddad told me with tears in his eyes. He said to me, "but you Elliott...maybe someday you will see this awful wrong made right." The color of your skin shouldn't matter. It's not about race. There are so many people of color who became great leaders, Martin Luther King, Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglas, Thurgood Marshall, Colin Powell, just to name a few. There are many teachers and doctors, policemen, firemen and inventors...all kinds of great African Americans in this world. My dad is no less of a human being because of the color of his skin!

One day, maybe I'll become President of The United States and lead this great land! For my granddad, my dad and all those who came before them...I'll stand up tall...and I'll be that man! Every person should have a chance no matter what color they are! What matters is that we do what is right for all of our people and protect our great land.

So in a few days your voice can be heard! VOTE!!! Whoever you vote for, vote with your heart and do what's best for this great land. Let your voice be heard. For my granddad James, who held his head in his hands, please don't let race, age or anything else that doesn't matter affect your vote. JUST GET OUT AND VOTE!!!
Thanks,
Maria Lisa Hartgrove
& "Elliott Parks"

About the Author Maria Lisa Hartgrove is a native of Boston, Massachusetts. She is the mother of three who enjoys writing. She created the character of Elliott from life experiences of her own children. Maria teaches us tolerance, love and understanding using humor and real-life experiences. Maria's goal is to one day make a "Camp Elliott," where every child can have an adventure of their own. Maria still resides in the New England area where she continues to raise her three children with her husband and two dogs, Molly and Buttons.

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