Wayne Lomax is the Retired Pastor of The Fountain Church in Miami Gardens, Florida. He currently serves as a Compliance Manager for Miami Dade County Public Schools and is the President of The Fountain Endowed Legacy Scholarship Fund. They could’ve done that one too.
We have never been here before. On February 3, 1870, the 15th Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified, granting African American men the right to vote. Women were granted the right to vote fifty years later. Since 1870, African American voters have generally supported African American candidates, with an assumption of suitability. If an African American ran for elected office, the African American community supported that candidate by default. We can’t do that anymore. That season is over. The proverbial fat lady has sung. It’s a wrap. That’s all, folks.
From now until the end of time, all candidates must be vetted and scrutinized. The era of unflinching loyalty to an African American candidate was appropriate in our infancy as citizens. Our struggles were more monolithic. Not so now. Think about what you want a candidate to deliver. Have brief conversations about the candidates, their history, and their platforms. If you lead an organization, host nonpartisan, nonthreatening, and noncombative conversations with candidates to hear different sides of the issues. No gossip and no tea. Just the issues. From now on, it will take a little more work. But as Great-Grandma said, “A little work never hurt anybody.”
In closing, if you are an African American seeking political office, explore paths to solidarity with as many African American voters as possible. For the foreseeable future, advocates will be needed in the community. Work behind the scenes for common ground and a common vote. Though the day of unbridled loyalty to a candidate is gone, the need for unity remains. As a candidate, consider fostering that unity. Let’s work this out.
