Community Voices Reflect on the 2023 Civil Rights Agenda: Pressing Issues for the Civil Rights Movement
Lending Our Voice in Politics and Beyond
Each year, I continue to return to the issue of voting rights. While we all have our individual views, experiences, party affiliations or not, it is important for the elected officials to represent their constituencies. In a world where individuals will be heard by elected officials at all levels of government from the local to national levels. As I write this year’s message, I not only think about the political parties, elections and our voters but I also think about the difference we all can make as citizens in our own networks, communities, organizations, churches, businesses, etc.
I think of the November 2022 election that we just had and I heard many comments about what candidates could've done or should've done. I challenge each of us to step up and participate when we see things differently. We can make a difference and work to change the outcome too.
For me, candidates who share my values are ones that we need at the table. Let’s be clear, there is no candidate that I may agree with their values or perspectives 100 percent of the time but it is always nice to have an elected official that understands our experiences, struggles and success. These candidates in their own right will speak up and share perspectives with the greater community …it is often times an opportunity for others to learn about our cultures and our needs. We have always had to wear many lenses throughout our lifetime and this just makes me happy to hear unsolicited positive comments about one of the candidates that I am endorsing for the Supreme Court in this spring election, the Honorable Everett Mitchell. It is okay for candidates to bring their experiences to the table. I love to hear candidates who based on their life experiences and in helping others can talk about how a system may need to reflect all people it serves.
With voter suppression everywhere, it is important for each of us to stay vigilant. It is important for us to educate, communicate, listen and ensure that we do not leave a good candidate behind. In Dane County, it has been wonderful to see the diversity of candidates who have been elected these past few years. Elected officials need to be accessible to their constituents beyond the campaign period. Let’s keep all voters connected, from using various social media platforms to the good old face to face contacts or what about a phone call…especially to the older population who may not be as tech savvy as you think we are.
Let’s continue to have forums, listen to debates, ask questions and yes send money to their campaign. Let’s continue to volunteer, get training to run for office or to work to support those willing to serve. There are many resources within our community that you can access to support your candidacy for office, starting with former elected officials that may have served and a host of organizations supporting candidates for office. Reach out to them to better understand their mission and if they are a good fit for your political aspiration. Understand that often times, it may or may not be a good fit for you. That is simply okay to explore many opportunities.
Briefly, I wanted to comment on another less visible political trend that has emerge these past few years. That is DEI — Diversity, Equity and Inclusion or some combination that is a growing presence in our community and across the country.
I have been paying attention to individuals hired or volunteers who want to make a difference through the DEI lens within our communities. Many are people of color and many are the first hired in that company or institution. These opportunities are great for a fresh perspective and ideals coming from younger hires and different lens. The energy and ideals, talent and ability to deliver are worth tapping into diversity of thought.
From my perspective, many of these individuals are amazing. We need to embrace their viewpoints by listening and not judging them based on our experiences. Give them the access to the top decision makers and opportunities for the leaders to think about the workforce differently. I smile as I spend time with my little 5 and 8 year old grands because they are so far ahead in their development than I was at that age. They multi-task and can work their iPad, your iPhone and all things technological before I can figure out what the heck they are doing. At that age and at my age, I can still learn a thing or two from them.
In closing, let’s be open to listening, giving back our time and expertise to our diverse and younger population…our future talented and bright leaders.
The Birthplace of the Inequities
There are few times that one has the opportunity to grow into humility. This was my experience on my trip to The Gambia, West Africa. Humbled, grateful, and more committed; newly energized to leave each space that I enter a bit better. That is why I became an alder.
The period from the King Holiday to Black History Month is our opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of African Americans both current and historically. In 2023 I feel a deeper, richer experience as a Black older adult. Many will be remembered during this period, but the symbolism and meaning of Black History reaches deeper than ever before. Why? From November 26-December 5, I traveled to Kanifing, in The Gambia, West Africa. I was part of a delegation of 20 persons coordinated by State Representative Samba Baldeh (a native of The Gambia), Jerreh Kujabi, President of the Madison-Kanifing Sister City Partnership, and Dr. Linda Vakunta from the Mayor’s Office as part of the city of Madison’s Sister City collaborations with countries around the world. Since 1998, the city of Madison has established nine Sister City collaborations, designed to promote peace through people-to-people relationships; cultural exchange, and shared research and development project opportunities.
Representative Baldeh recognized there was no Sister City relationship in African countries. Jerreh Kujabi, president of the Madison-Kanifing Sister City collaboration shared, “In a time when the world seems to be in perpetual turmoil, such relations underscore our resilience and highlight our common human need in developing lasting friendships”.
It would take more space than allowed to express the hospitality and collaborative work done by the Madison-Kanifing planning team to host the delegation. In recognizing Black History, I share this space to share our visit to The Goree Island in Dakar, Senegal. As mentioned in the beginning of this piece, the trip to The Gambia was one that I shall never forget. Every detail of the trip was tediously planned. While the people of Kanifing stole my heart, it was the visit to the Goree Island in Dakar, Senegal that broke my heart.
As I stood in the Door of No Return, we heard the history of the tens of thousands of Africans; once proud and free, who were herded through this narrow passage to board ships as slaves as well as the tens of thousands of bodies who were tossed into the sea if they were too sick to be sold on the slave markets. The House of Slaves and its Door of No Return are now a museum that stands as a memorial to the African slaves; victims of the Atlantic slave trade on Goree Island in Dakar, Senegal, the final exit point for the African slaves.
The House of Slaves was the holding center for enslaved Africans to be exported to the European slave markets. As I stood in the doorway of the museum, I came face to face with the reality of the human toll of African slavery. I stood in this space, overwhelmed with sadness. My emotions were not to be contained; evidenced by the tears that streamed down my face. Surprised as I glanced around, there were others streaming tears; regardless of race, nationality or color. SO POWERFUL.
As I walked through the building, the tour guide told the story of how captured enslaved Africans were huddled into dark, airless cells; chained and shackled to the floor and to each other. As many as 30 men would sit in these small cells with only a slit of a window to circulate air. Families separated. Mothers separated from their children. Men, women and children were separated. They were fed once a day and allowed to toilet themselves. The house was overrun with disease. Those who became too sick to be traded were tossed into the sea. They were naked, except for a piece of cloth tied around their waist. The cells were narrow, allowing them to lie on the floor against one another. Most heart-wrenching was the small DOOR OF NO RETURN, THROUGH WHICH EVERY MAN, WOMAN AND CHILD WALKED THROUGH TO THE SLAVE BOAT. As I stood within that doorway, I imagined those who had gone before me; stopping to turn their heads to catch a last glimpse of freedom, of their homeland and the place where they once were free. I left challenged by the question, “What did I do when the baton was handed to me?” After reaching this, I hope you too are challenged.