By: Joseph Evans, Ph.D.
In the United States midterm elections, it appears that Democrats will take over the House of Representatives, tallying more than 30 seats and possibly as many as 40 seats before all ballots finally are counted. In fact, Democrats may fill the recently vacated US Senate seat once held by controversial but revered Senator John McCain. At a glance, it was a blue wave. At a closer view, a blue wave – not yet and I am left unsatisfied. There were three globally watched races in this election cycle – all in the American South and – all that involved three talented and exceptionally qualified people of African descent namely; Stacey Abrams (GA), Mike Espy (MS), and Andrew Gillum (FL). I will not be satisfied with the nation’s commitment to equality unless these candidates are vindicated and rightfully elected winners of their respected races. Until that time, the blue wave cannot be recognized by people of African descent and progressives of all colors and backgrounds.
Since Jamestown (1619), people of African descent’s unbearable sacrifices have provided the only trace of an American soul and consciousness. In the post Obama era, people of African descent have a clear vision for America’s future and by direct implication the world. Still some resist this vison and use state sanctioned apparatus to prevent the zeitgeist – the new political and cultural paradigm shift. Of import, we must be honest about what has occurred in this midterm election cycle (2018). While others are winning on the morally courageous backs of people of African descent, those who represent their sacrifices fore parent’s sacrifices must be declared the winners in these highly controversial and contested political races.
Current election data in the Florida gubernatorial race between Mayor Andrew Gillum (D) indicates that he trails Congressman Ron De Santis (R) 49.6 – 49.18, which is less than 0 .7 percent. Voting irregularities in the Florida are infamous and well documented. Few will forget the 2000 presidential race between then Governor George W. Bush (R) and then Vice President Al Gore (D). Broward counties hanging chads are a part of the American cultural lexicon. The Florida’s 2018 gubernatorial race is similarly eerie. Once again, Broward County’s controversies have caused national attention and ironically it is in this county where Mayor Gillum may win in a recount.
In a second high profile race, Georgia state representative Stacey Abrams, and gubernatorial candidate (D) trails recent former Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp (R) by 2.6 percent with several absentee and provisional votes that remain uncounted. There are several grave and peculiar incidents that are cited officially in heavily blue counties and precincts across Georgia and particularly in Fulton, and Cobb counties, two strong democratic strongholds. Of particular interest, national media are reporting voting irregularities in precincts located in the Atlanta University Center (AUC) where Morris Brown, Spelman, Clark-Atlanta, Morehouse College and Morehouse School of Medicine and Morehouse School of Religion at the Interdenominational Theological Center are located. Voting machine shortages and non-functional voting machines were reported by local and national news agencies. In Georgia’s Dougherty County, the Abrams’ campaign has filed law suits in federal court that should delay this Tuesday’s gubernatorial election certification. It appears the Abrams’ campaign is gaining momentum.
A third national race occurred in Mississippi. The United States Senate race between Mike Espy (D), a former United States Agriculture Commissioner in the Clinton administration and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R) is headed toward a November 27 run-off. Hyde leads 41.5 to 40.7 which is less than 0.8 percent. It has been reported that black voters were hindered in their legal rights and obligations to cast their votes in what can be characterized as “Mississippi is still smoldering if not burning.” It appears that Espy can and will win the run-off with national voting observers on the ground similar to what US Attorney General Robert Francis Kennedy’s provided for James Meredith’s successful entry into the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss).
We could holler and throw our hands up and lament that this is nothing new. We could but that would be accepting the absurdity that is associated with 400 years of absurdity – not to mention that it was the blood stained soil of soldiers that fought in the first American Civil War to officially end chattel slavery in the United States (1865). Underneath the soldier’s blood stains, however; there is blood on the leaves; blood on the root. Of course, these points toward those who lived and died as slaves, their blood has seeped to the deepest depths of southern soils.
We could lament without returning to direct protest and action but that would point out our absurd disrespect of our fore parent’s blood stains that lie forever beneath southern soil. I would characterize this to be the Second American Civil War, which some call the Civil Rights movement (1955-1968). To lament without direct action is more absurd than what is happening in Florida, Georgia and Mississippi. Lament without direct action signifies that we are paralyzed sterile and defeated.
What should we do? We should hold the national Democratic Party accountable. The blue wave as nationally described is not impressive in Gerrymandered states unless the talented people of African descent win their respected political races in recounts. We can no longer carry the progressives and others on our political backs. In fact those who refer to themselves as democratic leaning – political persons must remember, honor and vote for those who made this American experiment in democracy sustainable at least for now. People of African descent have earned that right in America.
These votes must be counted without state sanctioned interferences that continue to hinder American’s voting rights (1965). Protest the Democratic National Committee; make sure that it provides proper resources that are visible in these three battleground states. These states were qualified leaders are poised to take office. The Democratic National Committee (DNC) must be called on the carpet and held accountable to drive these winning candidates across the goal line. Their credibility is on the line, the American credibility is on the line in the age of Trump and his Russian like tendencies.
