Big Mama Said: “The Stakes… Are Too High for Government to Be a Spectator Sport”

By: Terry Allen

“The stakes are too high for government to be a spectator sport,” said the late Barbara Jordan, the first African American woman elected to Congress from Texas. Big Mama would’ve nodded in agreement, adding, “Baby, you can’t just sit on the porch and watch the storm. You better get up and do something about it.”

Voting in a presidential election is our right, but casting a ballot every four years is just the beginning. There are 1,460 days between elections, and in that time, decisions are made that shape our lives (from The Stakes Are Too High: exhibition curated by John Caldwell, political and public policy papers archivist; Kaitlyn Tanis, history and social sciences librarian). That means we must do more than just vote and boycott —we must stay engaged, speak out, and demand that democracy serves the people, not the powerful.

Lucille “Big Mama ” Allen knew something about making change happen. Lucille “Big Mama” Allen wasn’t just a voice in the kitchen—she was a force in the community. She believed in holding leaders accountable and never let injustice slide. She taught us that real power isn’t just in boycotts—it’s in the sustained pressure we apply through protest, lobbying, and community collaboration to remove unqualified leaders and push for the changes we need.

We see the signs today: illegal government maneuvers, attacks on voting rights, and leaders who serve special  groups instead of the people. We cannot sit back and allow democracy to be dismantled while we watch from the sidelines.

• We must protest—not just in the streets, but in courtrooms, city halls, and school board meetings.
• We must lobby—demanding policies that protect our rights and calling out those who try to take them away.
• We must collaborate—uniting across communities, across issues, and across political lines to stop the erosion of our democracy.

Big Mama would say, “If they ain’t listening, make ‘em listen. And if they refuse, replace ‘em.” We don’t just have the right to change the game—we have the responsibility. It’s time to cross all the aisles, link arms, and fight back. The stakes are simply too high. Please write to me at Terryallenpr@gmail.com and let me know what you decided will be your action. 

Terry Allen is an NABJ award-winning Journalist, DEI expert, PR professional,
and founder of the charity –Vice President at FocusPR, Founder of City Men Cook,
and Dallas Chapter President of NBPRS.org