We are now a few days out from the
elections to see who the president of the country will be for the next four
years. Okay, whatever! Everything is everything and I’m really not too excited
about this year’s presidential election. I know saying that will get the
crosshairs on my back, but I’m cool with that. Earlier yesterday, I told my
daughter (N’kya) that who you vote for is your choice and your opinion. You
don’t have to tell anyone your political views and you vote for which you,
individually, believe will do more for you as an American citizen. People vote
for so many different reasons. I’ve heard some crazy ones and it’s cool. If
that’s how they want to spend their vote, they have that right.
Politics…
Growing up, I was never a fan of
politics or the political machine. I come from a family full of me who never
gave excuses. We did what was expected of us. We had/have a love and respect
for family, community and country. Many people find it very comfortable to
fight the establishment and blame the government for their situations and
dissatisfactions in their individual lives. Some even have no true beef with
the government, they just fight the powers that be simply because it was hip to
do so in the ‘60’s. When I became a father, my views on things began to change.
I began seeing from the eyes of a parent thinking about the lives of the
children and my children as they were born. My wife, Daniela, was more
political, but was my true motivator who spawned my interest in local politics.
Daniela was a Legislative Aid for a Milwaukee County Board Supervisor. She and
I would have long and very intense debates in our living room, which lead to
our bedroom. Our bedroom was always a ‘no drama’ area. Never go to bed angry.
Soon, Daniela would tell me, “If
you don’t like it, you need to do something to change it. Why don’t you run for
office?”
It became an inside joke between
the two of us. Daniela would go to many work related events and ask me to
attend with her. She was amazing how she worked the crowd. She owned every room
she walked into. Soon, though, people would ask me my opinion. Daniela would
say, my southern laidback yet, passionate disposition was honest to people. The
more events I attended with Daniela, I would be asked my opinion on. Our
conversations became venting sessions for us. Daniela saw things from the
inside and I saw things as a county employee. Neither of us were happy with
county government.
Last year (2011) around October, I
believe, we made the decision to go forward. There was an opportunity and we
went forward with it. Unfortunately, Daniela passed as the election was heating
up and getting good. Now, I take nothing away from the victor’s win of the
campaign and his election. After Daniela passed, my focus was in a total
tailspin.
A friend (Alderwoman Milele Coggs)
told me, “At the end of your election run, you have to ask yourself if you did
everything possible to win. If you did, good! But if you didn’t, you leave
possibility for doubt. Never leave possibility for doubting yourself.”
Over the last year, I’ve not had
anything to do with politics, local government or that professional world in
general. My motivation became stagnate. My world was in turmoil. Now as I stand
overlooking the ruins of my existence, I question the direction best for me to
pursue as a provider, father and citizen our my community.
It’s funny… I don’t find comfort
in the Democratic Party. Personally, I think that party is just as wack as the
Republican Party. I don’t believe as a voter, you should have to be in a party.
I’ve mentioned over and over again, I know not all Dems agree totally with the
party nor do I believe all Reps agree with their party. You should have your
own choice on who to vote for without the pressures of party members
threatening you or making you feel uncomfortable. My grandmother (Leasie Belle
Matthews), God rest her soul, when asked who she was voting for said, “That’s
not your business. Who I vote for is my business. Vote for who you want to, but
please don’t worry about me. Just know I do vote.” I guess she said it best. I
follow her wisdom. It hasn’t steered me wrong yet.
Maybe I’m going through a midlife
crisis… that would answer a lot. I’d rather charge my situation to my lack of
getting after it as I should be, you know.
