This week, some of us saw Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama, Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general, address accusations of racism and other matters before the United States Senate during confirmation hearings.
One shortcoming Sessions has been accused of is conducting biased prosecution against African-Americans as U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Alabama. Among those prosecuted during his tenure was a civil rights group that included activist Evelyn Turner and her late husband Albert, who were accused of voter fraud.
Although a court found the Turners and their fellow activists not guilty, the case has left Evelyn Turner angry 30 years later. She believes Sessions’ prosecution of the case was racially motivated.
However, her son, Albert Turner Jr., a county commissioner, disagrees. He believes rival Black leaders and a white local prosecutor who resented his father’s political power sparked the case. Sessions, he added, simply did his job by prosecuting the case presented to him.
Although they disagree on Sessions, both Turners have been dedicated to the fight for civil rights, justice and development in their community.
That situation reminded me that if family members can disagree on details but have the same goals, it could also happen in a community.
In our local African-American community, we have dedicated people who are Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians or independents.
Most of us want to see more jobs, safer streets, great schools for our children and security for our country. Due to politics, we may disagree on how to achieve those goals, but most of us do indeed share those goals.
During his farewell address in Chicago this week, President Barack Obama reminded us two things I would like to mention. First, he mentioned “good democracy does not require uniformity.”
In other words, we may disagree, argue and even bicker over strategy, but when it comes to our goals as a community and a country, we can have what the president described as a “basic sense of solidarity.”
Also, the president reminded us that democracy is most threatened when we take it for granted.
“Regardless of party, we should be throwing ourselves into the task of rebuilding our democratic institutions,” Obama said.
One of the ways we can keep those institutions strong is by taking an active role in our state and local governments. This month marked the beginning of the new session of the Indiana General Assembly. Members of the Indiana House and Senate are currently drafting new laws that affect all of us, and it would be a good idea to make our voices heard in the process.
Some issues of concern in communities across the state are being addressed by members of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus (IBLC), who have supported goals that can be embraced by most of us, regardless of party affiliation.
They are all Democrats who must function with a Republican supermajority, but they can still be effective by presenting thoughtful proposals that can attract bipartisan support while also addressing urgent concerns among African-Americans.
Speaking of political parties, the Indiana Democratic Party, if it has not already, would be wise to include the IBLC in discussions about new strategies for the party after its crushing statewide defeat in November. The party could also benefit from proactively registering new voters in urban areas now for the 2018 elections — something to think about as the party prepares to elect officers in March.
Republicans, I have not left you out. I have something important to share with you as well, especially African-American conservatives: Our community needs you to step out and step up.
What I mean is, now that their candidates have won up and down the ticket, Black Republicans have a chance to have a major impact on their party. For at least a couple of generations, they have claimed that their party has fresh solutions to issues of concern for many African-Americans, such as stubbornly high unemployment rates, rising crime in urban areas, high incarceration rates and struggling schools.
Now is their chance to prove it with GOP dominance of national and state government. No more excuses about Democratic obstruction and opposition are available.
Some of our readers may remember how State Rep. Henry Richardson, a Black Democrat, and Sen. Robert Brokenburr, a Black Republican, worked together to move important civil rights legislation forward through their respective chambers in the Indiana General Assembly. Leaders from our community in both parties led the way to progress on issues of the time.
Of course, our state legislature has not had an African-American Republican in 20 years. However, there are Black GOP officials holding local offices across the state. Our state also has a new attorney general, Curtis Hill, who received more votes than any Republican on the ballot.
Hill is not, as some pundits incorrectly claim, the first African-American Indiana attorney general. That honor belongs to Democrat Pam Carter, who served from 1993 to 1997 and was also the first woman to hold the position.
So far, Hill’s stated priorities have included fighting electronic scams, reducing regulations on businesses and strict enforcement of criminal laws. However, if he chooses, Hill could also show leadership in making sure the GOP is attuned to the concerns of all demographic groups in this state.
It is important to remember, though, that in order for African-Americans to have an impact on the Republican Party, they must be heard and received by current and incoming GOP officials.
Having that voice is important, because there are experiences that we all share as Americans and Hoosiers, and then there are experiences that are unique to specific cultural groups.
President elect-Trump could probably use some help in keeping his promise of somehow putting more businesses and high-paying jobs in predominantly African-American communities.
Gov. Eric Holcomb, who caused a well-publicized breach of political protocol with this newspaper during the election, could surely use some assistance in keeping the line of communication open with African-American and Latino-American citizens, leaders and media.
Longtime U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar, the late Indiana Gov. Robert Orr and the late Indianapolis Mayor Bill Hudnut were Republican leaders popular among people who did not usually vote Republican, because they kept an open (and active) dialogue with all segments of Indiana’s population, not just a far-right conservative voting bloc.
Trump, Holcomb, Hill, our new U.S. Sen. Todd Young and new Superintendent of Public Instruction Jennifer McCormick would be wise to follow their example.
Have a good week!
