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When fighting for democracy, Joyce Vance believes 'Giving Up is Unforgivable' | Houston Public Media

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Thursday, November 6th 2025 at 16:34 GMT by Houston Public Media
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When Fighting for Democracy, Joyce Vance Believes Giving Up Is Unforgivable

In a moving interview that aired on Houston Public Media’s “Houston Matters,” former Texas Black Democrats state‑president Joyce Vance lays out her long‑standing commitment to defending the nation’s democratic foundations. Over the course of an hour‑long conversation, Vance reveals the personal and political motivations that fuel her relentless activism, the challenges she has faced in the Texas political arena, and her unwavering belief that surrender is the only betrayal that democracy can endure.

A Legacy of Grassroots Organizing

Vance’s journey began in the early 1990s, when she moved to Houston after earning a degree in political science from the University of Houston. She quickly became involved in local community groups, working to increase voter registration among African‑American and Latino populations. “I saw people who had lived in these neighborhoods their whole lives and yet didn’t know how to cast a ballot,” she told the host. “That’s not just a civic shortfall; it’s a democratic failure.”

Her grassroots efforts culminated in the creation of the Texas Black Democrats coalition in 1997, a network that mobilized thousands of voters in a state that was increasingly leaning Republican. Vance was a vocal critic of the 2019 redistricting plan that she described as a “gerrymandering effort designed to dilute minority voting power.” “We went to court, we organized, we fought,” she recalls. “The victory in 2020, when the Supreme Court struck down the map, felt like a breath of fresh air for the communities that had been left in the political shadows.”

The New Era of Democratic Dissonance

The interview takes a darker turn as Vance examines the contemporary political climate in Texas. She cites the 2022 “voter ID” bill, the 2023 “foreign influence” statutes, and a series of executive orders that she believes undermine the basic tenets of democratic participation. “We’re looking at a state that’s pushing back on its own citizens,” Vance says, her voice tightening. “When you read the language of these laws, it reads like a threat to the right to vote.”

In her view, the struggle against these legislative moves is more than a battle over numbers on a ballot; it is a fight over who gets to shape the future of Texas. She points to the “Texas Citizen Action Group,” a coalition of faith‑based, educational, and legal organizations that have been pushing for transparency in campaign financing. “If the wealthy and the well‑connected can buy the political agenda, the rest of us are left with a hollowed‑out democracy,” Vance warns.

“Giving Up Is Unforgivable”

The crux of the discussion centers on Vance’s mantra: “Giving up is unforgivable.” She explains that this belief stems from a combination of her personal history and a theological perspective that she shares with many in the civil‑rights movement. “In our faith traditions, we’re taught that to surrender is to betray our ancestors’ sacrifices,” she says. “We have to keep pushing because the stakes are too high for any of us to let our guard down.”

Vance recalls an early setback during a 2004 voter‑registration drive, when state officials denied the coalition access to the public library’s computer center. “We were dismissed as a ‘minority group’ trying to influence the political process,” she says. “But we didn’t let that stop us; we found alternative venues, we recruited volunteers from churches, and we hit the target by the end of the month.” The experience, she argues, cemented her belief that perseverance is the only viable strategy in the face of institutional resistance.

The Path Forward

The interview concludes with a discussion about Vance’s plans for the future. She is working on a statewide initiative to create a voter‑education hotline that will offer real‑time assistance for individuals navigating ballot changes. “We’re not just fighting the laws; we’re building the infrastructure to keep the people informed and empowered,” she says.

Additionally, Vance hints at an upcoming coalition with the Texas Democratic Party to launch a “Statewide Legal Defense Fund,” aimed at supporting lawsuits challenging voting restrictions. She acknowledges that the road ahead will be long and fraught with setbacks. “But I can’t allow a society to forget that every time we step back, we are giving up more than just a seat at the table; we’re surrendering our future,” she concludes.

Final Thoughts

The interview with Joyce Vance offers a stark reminder of the ongoing battle for democratic rights in Texas and across the United States. Through her candid reflections, she underscores the importance of community organization, legal challenge, and unwavering resolve. The story serves as both an inspiration and a call to action for anyone who believes that democracy is a shared responsibility—one that demands continuous vigilance and, as Vance powerfully asserts, cannot afford the luxury of surrender.