It was one of my Granny’s favorite scriptural verses. We’d be sitting quietly together and then all of a sudden her soft sweet voice could be heard reciting the words. My, how I miss those days.
My Granny’s long gone now, since July 4, 1985. That was her “Independence Day.” One-hundred and one years old. Her work on earth was done. If she were here today how amazed she would be knowing there were African Americans running in the race to be mayor of Wilson, North Carolina. Let alone three.
Well, here we are again folks. Another election year upon us and it’s time to elect a mayor. And in a year where there are three African Americans vying for the mayor’s seat there has been a lot of talk in the community about the splitting of the black vote. {You can do your own math.}
Much talk around the town has centered around whether or not the candidates would be willing to come together to talk amongst themselves to unify the African American community. Even in a time when it’s hard to get people engaged in local politics and proud to have folks who would be willing to run -three in the race were three too many.
So, with little fanfare from the press as they were not invited to the table, such a meeting did take place a week ago Thursday. M.K. Smith and Ricardo Dew came together in a local church for a hearty conversation to see if the issues that separated the two could be combined to solidify the African American vote and rally behind one or the other.
Those in the attendance made a vow that “intimate particulars” about what was being said would remain amongst those present. And while I won’t betray that bond here, there is a need for the community to know a general synopsis of what transpired in the room that day. And it really won’t take long.
Who was there?
The two candidates, a local pastor, a retired Elected Official with more than 30 years combined experience with 8 of those years serving as mayor pro tem from a neighboring county, a candidate's brother and myself.
What was discussed.
Electability. Resources. Time. The base. Experience. Sustainibilty.
What separated the two candidates.
Personality differences, subliminal ego-trippin', a lack of tolerance & a haughty disposition.
What was the end result.
What you see is what you get. The two maintaining their positions running for mayor.
Why are we sharing all this now.
What was discussed.
Electability. Resources. Time. The base. Experience. Sustainibilty.
What separated the two candidates.
Personality differences, subliminal ego-trippin', a lack of tolerance & a haughty disposition.
What was the end result.
What you see is what you get. The two maintaining their positions running for mayor.
Why are we sharing all this now.
Quite frankly, the community needed to know an attempt was made to bring them together in an effort to iron out the differences for the overall good of the community.
My Personal Thoughts:
At the end of the day . . . it’s not about either candidate. It’s about the people within this community and this opportunity to change the landscape of this city in the 20 years. That message was personally conveyed to each of the candidates.
One candidate has the electability.
My Personal Thoughts:
At the end of the day . . . it’s not about either candidate. It’s about the people within this community and this opportunity to change the landscape of this city in the 20 years. That message was personally conveyed to each of the candidates.
One candidate has the electability.
Another does not.
One candidate has never entered this race before.
One candidate has never entered this race before.
Another has. And LOST - SIGNIFICANTLY.
One candidate has the resources & the network from whom to pull.
One candidate has the resources & the network from whom to pull.
Another has a hand full.
One candidate has the solid base in place.
One candidate has the solid base in place.
Another attempts to solicit.
One candidate has the time to liberally dedicate.
One candidate has the time to liberally dedicate.
Another is obligated to the company store, when and as needed.
A certain level of success is required amongst the candidates to at the very least introduce an opportunity to make a significant difference within this community.
A THOUGHT:
A certain level of success is required amongst the candidates to at the very least introduce an opportunity to make a significant difference within this community.
A THOUGHT:
It is not so much what you have done in the community or what you’d like to do. Rather, doing the right thing, at the right time when you know an opportunity actually exist to change the outlook and the future of the people within this community.
It’s about making a decision to unify and consolidate your energy and your effort with the majority to send a clear signal across this city that WE, The People are UNITED and that WE, The People STAND TOGETHER and WE, The People will Make A Difference.
However, in the room that day, I heard one say, they’d rather see the incumbent mayor maintain the seat rather than stand with the majority to ensure his defeat. {You can do your own math.}
Community Blogger,
Zette McArn - Bless be the ties that bind.
It’s about making a decision to unify and consolidate your energy and your effort with the majority to send a clear signal across this city that WE, The People are UNITED and that WE, The People STAND TOGETHER and WE, The People will Make A Difference.
However, in the room that day, I heard one say, they’d rather see the incumbent mayor maintain the seat rather than stand with the majority to ensure his defeat. {You can do your own math.}
Community Blogger,
Zette McArn - Bless be the ties that bind.
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