This week the Recorder continues its conversation with Congressman André Carson, who represents Indiana’s Seventh Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.
What was it like growing up with Julia Carson?
My grandmother raised me, because I didn’t grow up with my father and my mother suffered from schizophrenia. My mother and I spent time in and out of a shelter because of that. So I went with my grandmother.
Growing up, of course, I viewed her as my grandmother, and not as a state representative or state senator. State legislators didn’t make a lot of money from their service then and now. So, we were in the “hood,” you know what I mean? (Laughs)
But my grandmother was blessed to have mentors like Andy Jacobs and others in public service. She was so non-traditional in that she made anybody feel as if they could attain a higher purpose.
What did you learn from your grandmother?
My grandmother, as loving as she was to me and a lot of people, gave me a lot of tough love. She taught me the lessons of being responsible, owning up to your mistakes and treating people well, regardless of your station in life.
One thing I saw growing up is Republicans who were willing to work with her. She was able to work across the aisle because even though she was a strong Democrat, she was also a tough negotiator. Because her street smarts were so superb and she had great instincts as a person, she was able to get deals done even when the Democratic leadership couldn’t get it done.
She was accessible, and taught me about that as well. People could call directly to the house and she would answer the phone. I try to replicate that access. I don’t get gassed up because I’m in Congress. I still see myself as Dré from 25th Street.
Some people think it was predetermined that you would succeed her in Congress. Is that true?
When she passed there was no ceremony for me or people saying “hear ye, hear ye André.” It was never like that, and that was intentional for my grandmother. She never was a person to say “this is what you should do.” She would say, “Don’t let anybody tell you what you should do.” So other than finishing school and going to college, she wanted me to trust my own instincts in terms of a career and to look at all options.
People often asked “are you going to run for office?” I would say, “No, that’s not me.” At that time I saw the system as being too structured in a way that I felt would hinder my creativity. Growing up I was a young activist whose purpose was to be disruptive in an organized and meaningful way. I was also an entrepreneur, even in school.
I had my bag packed with candy and goods that could be sold. I would make those name belts for people – everyone from the girls and dance groups to wanna-be gangsters. We had the materials, so I could sell them for $25, when the mall charged $50. (Laughs) I would use that money to buy clothes or go to the studio as an MC.
As I grew older, I saw that there is value in being an agitator from within the system, but in a way that’s productive and can contribute to a healthy conversation. Then, the community work began at Martin University with their “Man to Man” program that would help young men who came from dysfunctional backgrounds get out of the shelters and transition into a work environment. I worked with that ministry for quite some time and it was through that effort that I began to see how we can be advocates for non-profit programs before government representatives.
What do you think are the top issues facing the Seventh District?
Jobs and strengthening our infrastructure is definitely a priority. However, a nexus to that job question is high-speed rail. We need to improve our transit system to attract more businesses to the city of Indianapolis. I have spoken personally to President Obama and he’s excited. He mentioned it to me, saying, “André, we really need to get this light rail system from Chicago to Indianapolis to St. Louis and Louisville.” He brought it up to me because he was a legislator in Chicago and understands the transit connection from Chicago to the Crossroads of America.
We also need to improve our broken education system. I’m the product of a parochial school and public school, and have seen the stark contrast that exists in our schools. Our teachers are stretched too thin, and have to play the role of both educator and parent. Our parents are also stretched thin because the Black family structure is broken. You often don’t have a fatherly presence in the home. In many cases you have a single mother trying to raise children and make ends meet by working a job or two.
So, we are creating a latch key generation, and we are creating generational issues where kids can’t get the support that they need. If kids are stressed worrying about mama or big mama, it’s hard to concentrate in school. I know as a dad who has a 6-year-old daughter, the homework kids have now is not the same homework that we had growing up. So we need a supportive network of people who can develop our children. I’m a product of the village and I think that we need to strengthen the village, so that we can strengthen our communities and strengthen our nation.
Fortunately, a deal was reached to avoid the dreaded “fiscal cliff.” Did that bring you relief?
I was happy that we were able to prevent 2 million Americans from losing their unemployment benefits. I am happy that we bumped the number up and made it so those folks who are making more than $400,000 would carry their fair share of taxes.
It’s not perfect, and no piece of legislation is perfect, but the reality is that there are some on the other side of the aisle who were so determined to make President Obama look like a failure that they were willing to take the country down to achieve that goal, and we couldn’t let it happen. He’s been a great president, and has grown like we all have grown.
What’s President Obama like?
He is the most intelligent president we have ever had, and he’s a family-oriented man. He has great political instincts. I think that because he is the first African-American president, some people (including some Black leaders) have certain expectations that I believe are unfair and unrealistic. He’s just one person, and we have to also keep in mind that you still need Congress to get legislation through.
But President Obama has been great because he has an appreciation for the less fortunate. Typically, a lot of presidents come from an aristocratic background, and they may be good people, but there’s still an emotional distance from working class people. What we have is a president who knows what it is like to live on food stamps.
When you work with that kind of person it is easier to advocate on behalf of people who lose Social Security and see cuts in Medicare and Medicaid, or lose unemployment benefits.
If I see he’s missing something, then I know we can still have access to get in and say “Hey, Mr. President, we love you, but don’t forget about this. Thank you, brother.”
Can you tell us about your family?
My wife, Mariamma, is a school principal in Pike Township. She had a big family and they would travel a lot. So now, as a family, we like to travel. When my wife and I started together, we couldn’t afford to fly all across the place. We would just get in the car, hit the road and maybe go to Evansville or Indiana Beach.
Recently, we took a vacation with my in-laws and went to Paoli Peaks. Man, a brotha’ went skiing for the first time (laughs), although I don’t think I’ll do it again. Whenever I can fit in family time, it’s important. With a job like this, I’m gone a lot and it puts a natural strain on the relationship. At the same time, however we have found benefits to it, because the absence makes the heart grow fonder. So, since we have that kind of space, we don’t find ourselves arguing about petty things. Whenever we’re together, we try to get together, even if it’s just reading to our daughter or watching a movie.
