“The political environment today is a tug of war between strong conservative ideas and strong socialist ideas. Those extremes create the pressure that eventually brings the country back into a more balanced culture. African Americans have seen these patterns before. We were once Republicans during Reconstruction because that party defended our freedom and citizenship. As the political environment shifted, we moved toward Democratic politics when the fight for civil rights demanded a different kind of commitment. Through all of these changes, African Americans have stayed to the left of moderate. That position comes from lived experience with inequality and the understanding that progress requires both protection and creative brilliance.”
“The greatest concern I have about our political environment is the growing absence of altruism and human empathy. We are constantly asked to place our trust and the well-being of our families, our communities, and our future in the hands of people who often do not demonstrate even the most basic commitment to being human-centric.Politics should be rooted in service. Yet too often, we see leaders who are disconnected from the everyday realities, struggles, and hopes of the people they represent. When decision-makers operate without empathy, policies become transactional instead of transformational. They become about winning, not about caring. About power, not about people.”
“I am concerned most about the recent cyberattacks on U.S. water systems that U.S. officials suspect are linked to Iran. At least seven states have reported cyber incidents. The threat of poisoning or taking over the American water supply can be catastrophic. It has opened my eyes that all Americans and the U.S. water supply have the potential to be directly impacted by the war with Iran. I have decided to store additional gallons of water at my home. I also have signed up to receive alerts from my local water supply company.”
“I worry that political division could weaken Black folks’ rights and voting power.”
“I worry about growing inequality and fewer opportunities for Black families.”
“As much as politics, particularly local politics, affects us all, I try not to embed myself in the negativity it can fester. I am an optimist, so I work to keep my aura on a positive trajectory. Politics is debate, so it can get real heated at times, and the decisions, negative or positive, will affect and influence society. Economics right now seems to be the major concern for a majority of Americans.”
