My grandmama would say, “that boy can talk.”
That’s the first thing that comes to mind after
spending time with Durham City Council Member Mark-Anthony Middleton. His way
with words places him among North Carolina’s elite orators. Captivating people
with words comes with being a pastor of a Black congregation.
Sylvester Williams and Robert L. Curtis, Jr.
are opposing Middleton for his Ward 2 council seat. Williams, also a Durham
pastor, ran for mayor of Durham in 2011, 2013 and 2017. In 2017, he received less
than 2% of the vote after publicly denouncing gay marriage, abortion, and
evolution theory.
Curtis is President of Curtis Finance and
Credit Services. The Durham native’s campaign focuses on the need to change the
way council meetings are run. Williams
and Curtis have failed to gain traction making this a race between Middleton
and none of the above.
Members of Durham Association of Educators
decided not to endorse a candidate in Ward 2 and 103 members of People’s
Alliances voted to make no endorsement.
One hundred and thirty voted to endorse Middleton, setting the stage for
a campaign season rift with extreme tension.
The endorsements of Durham Association of
Educators and People’s Alliance are informative beyond who gets the nod of their
affirmation. The ideological war that has dogged local politics for years has
now shifted into an effort to completely silence the Durham Committee on the
Affairs of Black People.
The none of the above position of members of
Durham Association of Educators and 40% of voters in People’s Alliance
endorsement process sends a critical message regarding the vision of some
elected officials. It’s notable that Nida Allam and Wendy Jacobs, both current
members of the Durham Board of County Commissioners, made public statements in
support of candidates running against current incumbents.
It’s significant due to the delicate dynamics
between county commissioners, members of the board of education and city
council. Local voters should be concerned regarding the ongoing intrusion and
political statements made by elected officials in reference to issues involving
other elected officials and their staffs.
The power of local political action committees
has always been problematic. This election elevates concerns regarding the
merits of a democratic process. Lost in the battle of ideological supremacy is
the maligning of the power of everyday people. People have trusted the Durham
Committee on the Affairs of Black People, People’s Alliance, Durham Association
of Educators and The Friends of Durham to affirm candidates capable of
representing all of Durham. All three groups have, to varying extents, failed
local voters.
It’s valid to argue the Durham Committee on the
Affairs of Black People has lost touch with Black voters. The increase in
population coupled with a rapidly changing world has left “The Committee”
without a clearly defined agenda for Black residents. The Durham Association of
Educators may have lost connection with many of the teachers they represent. Their
focus on opposing charter schools and increased funding for public education
has hindered a real focus on reducing the academic achievement gap. People’s
Alliance has morphed into an organization motivated by an agenda to defund
police with no clear agenda related to hearing and affirming the concerns of
Black residents.
My endorsement of Mark-Anthony Middleton is
based on his commitment in representing the people living in Ward 2. His votes
reflect their interest, versus a cosigning of an ideological agenda dismissive
of what the people say and feel. My endorsement is a brutal attack against the
none of the above position of people intent of taking government away from the
people.
Durham is a diverse community. There are
residents born and raised in Durham. Some are over 70. Some are under 21. There
are residents who moved to Durham to attend college or to work in the Bull
City. They stayed because we talk about diversity and inclusion. Many have
moved into North East Central Durham, West End and South Side – areas once populated
by many Black people. Some of the people offering a none of the above
endorsement for Ward 2 benefit from gentrification. They speak eloquently
against it, while participating in processes deepening the divide between the
haves and have nots.
Middleton and DeDreanna Freeman represent the
most crime riddled and impoverished areas in Durham. It matters when the voices
of the people are muzzled to satisfy the political agenda of people incapable
of hearing the cries of “those people”. Durham’s political process has become
elitist. Our democracy is at risk.
We call it progress, but this is regression.
A none of the above vote is an attack against
real Black representation. Operative word being real.
Next up, Ward 3
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