MICHAEL FERGUSON II: In a world of political upheaval, we need to vote ‘our’ interests

Although I realize the importance of local and regional politics in regards to the “bread and butter” issues that affect our everyday lives, it was my intention to remain neutral on the Ward II race for city commission due to it being a “family affair.” Those running for office all have deep roots in the community and have held political office previously in our city and our county. My need to sound the alarm is my official “public service announcement” to the community at large.

Recently Jalen Johnson, the former commissioner in Ward II, resigned, resulting in this special election. Johnson said he resigned to accept a position with the Trump administration. I am going to take the opportunity to make it clear that everyone is entitled to be a member of any political party and be active on that party’s behalf. That is the American way, and I support that freedom in its totality. My approach to any policy or governmental mandate is the effect it will have on our nation and our local community.

After all, it’s been said: ”All politics are local.”

The other day, Johnson endorsed one of the candidates running in Ward II, and the endorsement was received. This and another local incident compelled me to break my silence. Jalen Johnson, for all practical purposes, is in lock-step with the policies of the current administration that have negatively Impacted our agricultural sector through tariffs, SNAP reductions, grants that were withdrawn from our regional partners, Medicaid reductions, and, most recently, the defunding of Job Corps in Albany and across the nation.

We as a nation have yet to feel the full effects of this rural recession; however, economic forecasters predict the “recession hurricane” landing in the summer months with corporations increasing the price on products to pass on their losses to the consumer.

It stands to reason that District II residents will be negatively affected by the aforementioned policies, including Rawson Circle constituents. Albany can’t survive another local politician that is going to support policies that are not in our collective interest. This isn’t about political parties; it’s about our economic survival and quality of life.

In keeping with this narrative, local internet personality King Randall, the founder of X-Men for Boys, has begun attempting to rebrand himself as a “self-help” guru and political renaissance man. A recent episode of Roland Martin’s blog entitled, “Black conservative King Randall near silent as Trump cuts Job Corps” is worthy of viewing.

Our community can no longer remain silent when these individuals are financed and activated in our communities to serve policymakers who don’t serve our interests.

Randall has made a career of this posturing and taking the historical self-determination that brought our ancestors through slavery, reconstruction, Jim Crow, the Iran-Contra War on us, three-strikes, and wrapped it in a MAGA hat.

I have spoken with Randall and even attended the Republican PAC-financed event hosted at Albany Tech to hear first-hand his intentions and to explore any areas of collaboration. The scripture teaches us that “two can’t walk together, unless they agree.”

This message is also for our Caucasian neighbors in rural Georgia: “Don’t spit in my face when a strong wind is blowing.” We will all get wet.

Many of your businesses thrive off the black dollar; many of your family members are recipients of SNAP and Medicaid. You will soon be picking up the slack from your household funds to support the “least among you” in your family structure as well. The narrative that blacks are the largest recipients of these government programs is a blatant lie, intended to stoke the old flames of your black neighbors being lazy and living off the government.

The fact of the matter is that most of my friends and neighbors agree that the “safety net programs” need to strive toward self-empowerment moreso than a generational lifestyle. We can all agree that our border needed to be secured and our laws enforced; we can all agree that programs that empower local farmers to partnership with school systems to provide fresh produce is a “win-win.” We all can agree that we need to make our communities “work force ready” to support our local employers and entice new industry.

Our political parties are not talking “our language.” So we need to vote “our” interest in this next election cycle going forward to let them hear us loud and clear.

Though we may not attend the same church or move in the same social clubs, we drive on the same roads, pay the same taxes and feel the same economic angst when policies hit us.

My mood is “ Scream,” performed by Michael and Janet Jackson.

Michael Ferguson is an Albany Herald columnist, a community activist and a veteran.