While people all over the country celebrated America’s 240th birthday, many of us took the opportunity to do what ever it is that we do when we don’t have to get on a bus or a train Monday morning.

Some of us chose to relax with our friends and relatives at backyard barbecues. Many answered the call of the beaches or the mountains,
while others just imply cranked up the AC and watched TV. Besides the chance for a paid day off and eating some hot dogs, most don’t really care about the Declaration of Independence and its significance, the revolutionary war, etc., etc.

Yet, one could easily argue that the fight for independence is still going on. And that only when all of the articles in the Constitution really and truly apply to everyone, will we all be free.

The lesson to be learned from the war that won freedom from British rule for the thirteen colonies is this: Ground gained should never be given back.

Well, it appears we still haven’t gotten that lesson just yet.

We are continuing to take for granted a right that we fought to get and didn’t completely receive until recently.

The right to vote.

In southeast Queens, the participation in this basic of civil rights is abysmal and among the worst offenders are those who complain the most: African Americans between 18 to 35.

Here are the numbers, you be the judge.

In the four Assembly Districts that generally make up southeast Queens (29, 31, 32 & 33) a little more than half the adults are registered to vote. And only about a third of them actually go to the poles...one third!

In AD 29 there are 88,905 adults; 56,600 are registered to vote; but only 25,691 people actually did in the last general election in 1998.

In AD 31 of 84,461 adults; 53,941 are registered; 21,438 voted.

In AD 32 of 88,347 adults; 54,275 are registered; 22,878 voted.

In AD 33 of 91,613 adults; 63,058 are registered; 29,875 voted.

Give me a break.

Anyone who feels that the folks at City Hall and in Albany don’t listen should look no further than those numbers. Who would be afraid of those stats?

What is the point of all the marching, yelling, getting arrested, and general griping if all we do in the end is fail to use the one thing that cumulatively can create change?

With four months to go before the next general election, we will have heard all there is to hear about Rick Lazio and Hillary Clinton. I’m sure some people will think that with the mayor out of the hunt, there is less of a reason to find their local polling site. But if somehow the wrong person gets in, no matter who that is, folks will throw their hands in the air and blame "the system," "the media" or "the man."

Yeah right

If those of us who like to be heard all the time won’t stand-up quietly at the right time, then we should sit down, shut up and take what we get.

I’m not telling you anything new.

But I believe now more than ever, the adage of "Use It or Lose It" is critical to our communities in this city, state and country.

Look at the people running and what they stand for. Ask yourself some basic questions.

Do you like things the way they are or not?

Do you think things will get worse or better?

Is there a chance for change or will it be the status-quo?

While we may be a long way from getting an African American in the White House, we have the ability this year to make a statement about our feelings in America. Whether you realize it or not, people of color will no longer be minorities sooner than you think. That is already true of New York. Wouldn’t it be a shame if we somehow turned the U.S. into some huge version of the old South Africa through simple apathy?

Don’t laugh, it could happen.

As the racial and social demographics of the city an country continue to shift, the simplest of acts now and over the next few years that could frantically decide who has a greater say in what happens over the long term.

Two hundred and forty years ago, apathy got the best of the mightiest nation in the world.

When the fighting started it wasn’t really too late, but the political damage was already done. Who knew these uneducated outcasts could steal a country. And for that you got to barbecue and watch fireworks this week.

Generations from now, what will our children have to celebrate or remember about us?

— Gary Anthony Ramsay is a weekend anchor
and journalist on the all-news cable station
NY1 and a long-time resident of Queens.