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It was a glorious sight.
Long marginalized and written off as a political force,
black voters, organizers and strategists leading the work
that doubled and tripled black voter turnout from Milwaukee
to Detroit to Philadelphia to Atlanta and across American
cities.
Without a doubt, black
voters were critical to the election of the Biden/Harris
ticket and others. And behind great numbers of black voters
stood the dignity, grace, persistence, and power of black
women. The nation, Church, community, and family have always
seemed to turn to black women when things get hard or out of
fix. Kudos to local organizers such as Tina Butts of the
Movement and leaders of the Ohio Unity Coalition for their
untiring competent leadership.
Yet, a defeated Trump
improved his 2016 popular vote by almost 7 million. This
large total reveals the vast divide which still exists
between urban and rural citizens, college-educated and the
less-educated, and the forward-thinking and those who long
for a past that is no more.
In 2019, according to Bloomberg News, people of color
represented just under 40 percent of the total U.S.
population. However, non-Hispanic whites will to shift from
a majority to a minority population by 2045. This “darkening
of America,” likely then, lies at the root of the divide as
many white Americans fear the potential loss of privileged
status that has benefited them since the founding of this
nation.
Despite the 2020 election, two separate Americas remain.
Systemic racism, wage, health, and wealth disparities
persist.
Will the power of the black vote translate into tangible
policies or better black life?
Here are a few thoughts on our local election results.
Judge Myron Duhart
Duhart is an esteemed public servant, leader, and role model
whose successful campaign vaulted him to the Ohio Sixth
District Court of Appeals, a valuable part of the judicial
process. Judge Duhart proved his worth in Common Pleas,
demonstrating that he was not afraid to make difficult
decisions with clear-headed compassion. His presence on the
Appeals Court ensures a fair and diverse perspective when
those qualities are vital.
Lucas County Sheriff
Voters deemed Sheriff-elect Mike Navarre’s experience in law
enforcement decisive in selecting him to operate and
possibly build a new jail. Navarre has been a police chief
and leader on police and criminal justice reform at the
state level.
Navarre will need to listen to others who have a voice in
Toledo’s black community such as Earl Mack, who finished
third in the Sheriff race. Mack also has several years of
law enforcement experience, a sizable following, and
considerable community development experience. Earl Mack is
the ideal candidate for a position in Navarre’s
administration.
Current Toledo Police Department Chief George Kral has been
keeping a super low-profile lately. Look for Kral to
possibly replace the departing Navarre in the Oregon, Ohio
Police Department or soon take a position elsewhere.
Who will replace Kral?
For certain, the 52 homicides to date and continuing
violence in Toledo is inexcusable. Derrick Diggs, past TPD,
and current Fort Meyers, Florida Police Chief, has run a
cutting-edge 21st-century police department for
several years. Diggs turned around a failed police
department that lacked discipline and was rife with
corruption, favoritism and racial problems. Under Diggs, Ft.
Myers has also experienced four straight years of reduced
violent crime and lowered the crime rate to the lowest it’s
ever been.
Perhaps Digg’s greatest attribute, however, is his ability
to strengthen police-community relations. Thus, allowing
Diggs an opportunity to return to his native Toledo would
come when the floundering Toledo Police-Community Task Force
needs a total makeover.
Toledo, Ohio Issue 3 and Issue 4
The passage of Issues 3
and 4 keep Toledo operating and enable the City to fix roads
in a way that it has not been able to do in the past.
Passage has also allowed the City to channel federal dollars
(through HUD’s Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area
program) into central city neighborhoods like Englewood and
Junction, where plans have been “in the works” for some
time.
Expect to see the power of
the black vote also provide real change in Toledo’s black
neighborhoods.
Contact Rev. Donald Perryman, D.Min, at
drdlperryman@centerofhopebaptist.org |
