State Rep. Willie Perkins, my wife and I do not hate you or your family! The problem that I have is with your politics.
Why is this significant enough to say in the local newspaper? Why bring to light the rumor circling in the “dark” that the Browns don’t like the Perkinses? Because light is essential to growth — not only in the plant and animal kingdoms, but in our local community.
For years now, in this very newspaper, I have shared my views regarding Rep. Perkins’ politics, and he (and his fans) have shared their views regarding my character and that of my wife. Most of the feedback has to do with allegations that we are “hating on the Perkinses,” that we are “outsiders,” or (the most popular) that we are “with the white folks.”
For years, I have wondered about the real reason for this discord. I wondered why Perkins and I could not have a conversation about the real issues in our community or strategies for addressing those needs. I wondered why a political campaign that involved more than one black person could incite such chaos, especially if there was a Perkins on the ballot.
Not until a few days ago did I stop wondering. I heard, directly from the “horse’s mouth,” what fuels the “great divide.”
Several days prior to the Nov. 25 runoff election for circuit court judge, I was travelling down a street in Greenwood and noticed a fellow church member who was walking. I pulled over to check on him, as I would have done for any other acquaintance. He advised that he was doing some campaign work for Takiyah Perkins, but, because of trouble with his vehicle, he had to walk. With a free schedule that day, I offered to drive him wherever he needed to go. During that afternoon, I even served as a witness for several voters who were casting absentee ballots for his candidate.
While at one voter’s home, my passenger was notified that he needed to get in touch with Perkins right away. As it turned out, my passenger had been singled out because he dared to be seen with me. Perkins vehemently declared that I hate him and his family because I run against him every time. He also stated that my wife ran against his wife because she hates her (Sheriel Perkins) and his family, too. Rep. Perkins made it clear that he did not want the campaign worker seen with me.
My first thought when I heard this cannot be repeated here. The second one was, “Now I get it! If you dare to run against a Perkins for an elected position, you hate them!”
Contrary to what Perkins might have contrived in his mind and shared with those susceptible to such foolishness, the fact that my wife and I choose to run for political office is not about his family. We run because we have a right to do so, because we have different views about how our community should be governed, and because the citizens in this community have the right to make their own choices.
Also contrary to what Perkins is feeding those who have been manipulated into believing whatever he tells them — despite what they can see for themselves — I believe that there are members of his family who are outstanding examples of the “best of Greenwood and Leflore County,” examples of what happens when faith, education and perseverance are core values.
The Brown vs. Perkins “issue” is not an issue at all. It is one individual’s belief that he is entitled to a position, that it belongs to him or a member of his family — that they, alone, are the sole “keepers” of the black vote. If you don’t believe me, consider the most recent election.
Prior to the Nov. 4 election, the circuit court judge’s race was hailed in the community and in the media as an outstanding display of the talent and intellect in the black community. There were three qualified individuals seeking a political office. Colleagues in the legal profession, they ran clean, professional campaigns.
After Nov. 4, there were two candidates standing, and all of a sudden there were attacks on motherhood and experience. People in business chose not to do business as a “stand” for their candidate. Within 48 hours of the Nov. 25 runoff, there were posts on Facebook suggesting that those who voted for the winning candidate sold their votes to the highest bidder.
I actually agree with the proposition that, for too long, our votes have been bought and paid for; however, I disagree with the implied purchaser. Votes bought with hatred, lies, personal agendas and deceit are just as dangerous as those bought with a few dollars and a fish sandwich.
In 1957, at the Prayer Pilgrimage for Freedom in Washington, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. declared, “Give us the ballot, and we will fill our legislative halls with men of goodwill. ... Give us the ballot, and we will place judges on the benches of the South who will do justly and love mercy, ... and we will place at the head of the Southern states governors who will, who have felt not only the tang of the human, but the glow of the divine.”
Dr. King’s request was for the ballot — the right of every individual to have a voice in his or her own plight. When politicians decide that our ballots belong solely to them, we are no better off than when we didn’t have a choice at all. Those who came before us did not risk (and in many instances sacrifice) their lives so that a Perkins or a Brown could be elected; their sacrifice was for the ballot. Public office is just that — the public’s office.
When my wife ran against Sheriel Perkins the first time in the Democratic primary for mayor and was defeated, she openly endorsed her, made a financial contribution to her campaign and used her remaining advertising time on the radio to get out the vote for Perkins. Why? Because there was no doubt in either of our minds that Sheriel Perkins could be an excellent mayor. We still believe that, but we also believe that she will never be the mayor she could be because Willie Perkins would be the de facto mayor.
When the two met for a second time in a mayoral contest, a contest in which my wife chose to run as an independent, “all hell broke loose.” A meeting in the general contest would have been inevitable, but those who bought into the hate mongering were out in full force, attempting to discredit my wife, chastising lifelong friends for “supporting an outsider,” and convincing folk to disassociate themselves from people and organizations all because they exercised their freedom of choice.
Some will read this, and their minds won’t change one bit. That’s OK. People choose ignorance every day, all over the world. But for those who finally get it, can’t we all just get along? Can’t we all agree that there are some very real problems in Greenwood and Leflore County that deserve our attention and our sincere effort? Can’t we all live lives that truly reflect the faith we profess and the commitment to our community that we espouse?
Even salvation is a personal choice. Shouldn’t your vote be a personal choice as well?
• Troy D. Brown Sr. is a contractor with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
