Black people in general have had to overcome tremendous obstacles to acquire the right to vote; we have seen thousands sacrifice their lives, and our leaders murdered in the struggle to vote; systems have been organized to suppress the Black vote and continue to this day. So it is critical when we have an opportunity that we take that opportunity to vote. We must vote. We must exercise our privilege as a citizen, and we must know that our vote has consequences.
New York City is faced with a primary election on June 27th, 2023, and we are urging all citizens eligible to vote to do so. Vote because voting makes a difference; vote because it’s a right that you have and should exercise, and voting is in the interest of the overall community’s ability to access government services and benefits. So we are urging all eligible citizens to vote in your primary elections, and we are also urging those who will vote to take your vote seriously. Your vote has consequences and it should not be frivolously used; we are urging our voters to look beyond the soundbites and some of the speeches that are given that sound good, but have no substance. We have to be careful about deliverables and record of accomplishments and community engagement, knowledge of our community, its needs, and some record as to how the candidates have already shown an interest and have already participated in community activities. We must be wary of just promises, and we must be wary of fancy speeches.
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We have seen the consequences of careless voting and what it can mean for a country, so we must take our vote seriously. In that regard, Carib News has made endorsements with this in mind, in the quality of the candidates and their proven achievement and abilities.
In New York City, Manhattan District nine, we are endorsing Inez Dickens for the City Council. Dickens is a seasoned and proven legislator who has the discipline to work within the legislative body, to craft legislations and programs that benefit the community in so many ways, and has a noted record of achievement in the Harlem community and city wide; this is no time to experiment with fancy speeches and or promises. Inez Dickens has delivered and delivered well, and has the foresight, energy and passion for her community that is needed in the City Council, experience and commitment that we know will be evidenced in substantive programs and directions.
In the Bronx, District 12, that is highly Caribbean in its population, we are endorsing Council member Kevin C. Riley. He has in his first term in the City Council demonstrated a maturity, commitment and sophistication around issues of home ownership, affordable housing and community services. Here is a young man who has strong experience, a record of community engagement, working in the legislatures and working with nonprofits, and has proven his worth in the Council and deserves to be encouraged and supported because he has signaled that he will deliver and deliver well.
In Brooklyn 41st District, we are endorsing Darlene Mealy. Again, a dependable, responsible community representative for decades. She knows and loves the community, is deeply engaged in its activities and has proven over the years to be a steady and reliable hand in providing services to the community in so many ways, from affordable housing to job creation, to healthcare provision, she is always there, and again, a proven hand – and this is no time to experiment.
In the 42nd District in Brooklyn, we are endorsing Charles Barron, a fierce fighter for freedom for decades, a community activist that is drawn to the issue with passion, one that can be relied upon to confront inequities and inequalities, one that is of the community in a passionate way, and one that has the courage to stand up and demand services for the community successfully in education, in job creation, in healthcare, and one whose ability to deliver cannot be questioned. Here again, we are suggesting we need the reliable proven hands, in these times of multiple issues, multiple problems and multiple challenges.
For District Attorney in the Bronx, we are endorsing Darcel Clark. Clark made history as the first woman to hold the position of District Attorney, and she has shown her ability to administer that office with legal integrity, and pursuing justice in an innovative way. She has worked to provide access of support for victims and also worked to provide alternatives to incarceration for individuals who might show some promises; she has worked to reverse the injustices that might have happened in the past, and has brought to the office a modern criminal justice system that is leading the way in how DA’s across the country should perform, and is looked at as a strong innovator in this area. We need this kind of sensitive balance support to the criminal justice system and DA Darcel Clark, in leading that organization has shown the kind of strong leadership that is needed, and should continue in that position.
In Queens, we are endorsing candidate George Grasso, a seasoned criminal justice expert, one who has lifted himself up from patrol in the New York Police Department to Deputy Commissioner, to a lawyer and a criminal court judge. He has been on both sides of the legal system and has demonstrated his independence and his experience in administering justice. He is considered to be a seasoned legal professional, not beholden to the politics of the day, but to the criminal justice system providing the community with the kinds of public safety programs and reducing gun violence that is so very necessary in the community today.
Whatever your choice, we urge you to make it consequential – Do go out and vote, Do participate in the system and do let your voice be heard and your vote be counted. It is important – each vote has value and voting has consequences. So please do not dismiss these primaries as elections that are without importance or your local elections without value.
These are the elections that make a difference. These are the elections that build individuals and community, and these are elections that are very close to home. An election that we should be engaged in. So whatever your choice, vote. We have an endorsement and a recommendation, and we would hope that that would be part of your consideration. Vote!
