That’s not a title I would have thought I would write but there it is. The former president and I are at opposite ends of the political spectrum but that is mostly a disagreement in method, not values. Like many, I cheered his election. But like many, I was disappointed at his inability to bring Americans together during his presidency.
His essay published on June 1, 2020, in the Medium contains the most statesman-like thoughts he has written and I have read. He writes about how to change systemic racism. I don’t know much about that, except that racism is evil and it exists more than too many would like to admit. But I appreciated his comments about how to make change real and lasting.
Obama begins by acknowledging the real anger of protesters and rioters. He goes on to mention how difficult the rioters and looters will make life for some.
“I saw an elderly black woman being interviewed today in tears because the only grocery store in her neighborhood had been trashed. If history is any guide, that store may take years to come back.”
Rioting and looting may feel good to an angry person but the consequences often hit the most vulnerable. No government can stop citizens who chosoe to riot. They can simply try to restrain them.
It is interesting that Democrats, (or Liberals and the NDP) think that “trickle-down social change” would work, but watching the Democratic primaries it seemed that the irony was lost on them. Obama seems to have learned that despite eight years in the White House, very little changed on the ground for black Americans.
“But the elected officials who matter most in reforming police departments and the criminal justice system work at the state and local levels….”
Unfortunately, voter turnout in these local races is usually pitifully low, especially among young people, which makes no sense given the direct impact these offices have on social justice issues, not to mention the fact that who wins and who loses those seats is often determined by just a few thousand - or even a few hundred - votes.
“So the bottom line is this: if we want to bring about real change, then the choice isn’t between protest and politics. We have to do both. We have to mobilize to raise awareness and we have to organize and cast our ballots to make sure that we elect candidates who will act on reform.”
I cannot remember any former president ever talking about the importance of “unimportant” local elected officials in fixing America’s problems. To have a former president pointing out that local elections have the lowest voter turnout, while having the greatest local impact, and encouraging people to get involved, is hopeful and not in a “hopey-changey” way. For Americans concerned about systemic racism, Obama gave clear and concise advice that, if followed, will result in real change.
Whether our concerns are racism, policing, drugs, gangs, our personal safety, the arts, the environment, the economy, potholes, or our kids education, local elected officials have the most sway in the direction these things go. We, the public, have the most power simply by paying attention during local elections, and then going to the ballot box. It’s a month or two of campaigning every four years, and if you pay attention then, it will probably save us a bunch of frustration later.
Obama is right.
Protests have their place but politicians act on what their electorate want. They have to know what that is and the best time to have their ear is during the election campaign.
