Defined thoughts on filling the seat of Congressman Alcee Hastings

By Bobby R. Henry, Sr.

What have we learned from our past political leaders who have succumbed to natural orders while in office? What have we learned from current leadership about how to serve? What have we learned from Politricks when we allow people who have been bought to be put into races to divide the vote and somebody else walks in, because, we have allowed pride, selfishness, and the want of an assume position of leadership to qualify who we are?

It seems as if we have lost our way.

We have lost our way, giving in to artificial intelligence. We do not talk face to face like we used to. Yes, blame it on the pandemic! We blame everything else on it.

With the transition or should I say transitioning of Congressman Hastings to glory, it is more than his seat that we may lose. We lose our footing, our leverage, and our representation of who we are as a people.

Some of those who are vying for his position will have to resigned from their elected position which leaves their vacancy to be appointed by a governor who does not give a damn about people who look different than he, have different views concerning politics and who are not Republican. Let’s face It – the governor is a Trump sycophant (staunch supporter of Trump), and we all know what that means. Yes, there are code words and Trumpism is a code word for racism and other isms that do not bode well for democracy in America.

It has often been said that South Florida is an environment of collective talent like no other community in the country. Being here in Broward County, Florida garners an array of diversity. We are special, as there is plenty of ideology, leadership, entrepreneurship, political interest, and community service to keep everybody busy. Our communities are vastly divided by cultures, political jurisdiction and mainstream integration. There is a great respect for trailblazers who have advocated our issues through the civil rights movement, Jim Crow era, the inclusion period, and to the present equal justice paradigm. With the formation of a generation ready to lead, advocate, inspire and conquer success, the question of the hour is who will best serve the ENTIRE needs of the equal justice paradigm. What do our people need and how can we accomplish those objectives, so our communities continue to elevate culturally.

Some of the opposition here in Broward County and the state of Florida may come from those who feel like the five constitutional officers who are all Black might just be enough for, “you people”. Then the question is who is not afraid of the Browning of America? So, think longer and harder about your reasons, the implications, and the forces seen and unseen before we create a pool of people that re-enforces the diminishing opportunities to be an apologetic Black force for justice.

I say all that just to say this: “Do you really understand the implications of what you’re doing and how it’s gonna affect everybody besides you.”

With the passing of Congressman Alcee Hastings, the community now will have a decision to make based on the individual with a proven track record of leadership, commitment to community, representation of character, and mindset of inclusion.

We have some outstanding leaders who are well qualified to carry out the platform of prosperity. I have observed nearly every leader in our communities and many of them have similar qualities, personalities, egos, and relationships, but when you take a deep dive there are a few that stand out because of their journey. Here are some qualified and some well-qualified leaders (the list is not an indication to ranking order) with different approaches and ideologies about how we get what our community needs: Bobby DuBose, Dale Holness, William McCormick, Robert McKenzie, Barbara Sharief, Chris Smith, and Perry Thurston.

The potential candidates list  grows for Florida’s 20th Congressional District, to include: Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, Priscilla Taylor, a veteran Palm Beach County politician and member of the Florida House, Miramar Mayor Wayne Messam, State Representative from Palm Beach County Omar Hardy, Florida House of Representatives – 94th District, State Representative Bobby DuBose, Elvin Dowling, a West Palm Beach activist, Broward businessman Matt Boswell Broward County Commissioners Barbara Sharief and Dale Holness.

We are not wondering who will add their names to the afford mentioned list, as we are about who’s qualified to represent us.