The undersigned clergy have convened during these unprecedented times under the ad hoc umbrella called Concerned Clergy for Fair and Civil Elections.
Over the next 18 months, we will take strategic steps to empower and protect the vote and as needed, use our collective voices to ensure the election environment facilitates a process where candidates are judged and challenged by their experience and vision and not on petty politics, backbiting, or by outside, third-party sources who do not have the best interests of the overall community.
These are some unprecedented times that require our attention and focus. There are critical elections occurring this year followed by a midterm election with Ohio electing a new U.S. Senator. We also see a concerted attack on voting rights with over 37 states introducing draconian voter policies fueled by what we now call the Big Lie. Sadly, our state has joined the circus with proposals that would impede the voting practices of many Ohioans and possibly hinder how citizens can document incidences of police misconduct and even murder.
Most immediate are northeast Ohio’s elections to replace the 11th District Congressperson and select the person who will be the next Cleveland mayor. We see a large pool of candidates vying for the seats with much zeal and enthusiasm, We see many solid and exceptional candidates and many of us will support one or another.
The red box is a tool for negative messages by third parties who interfere with local elections at the expense of the needs and viability of the local community.
The clergy of Greater Cleveland have a rich history of supporting candidates and ensuring that the communities they serve are supported by skilled, caring, and committed office holders.
This year is no exception. We find it necessary to speak to the tone of the races and to encourage passion with integrity, honor, and dignity in the campaign operation.
Today, we have two urges:
- We urge all candidates to run with passion and fervor and to avoid all forms of negative, gutter campaigning. We urge them to run on their experience, skill, and vision.
- We also urge candidates to denounce all uses of the Red Box, which can be used as a “dog whistle” or a signal to independent super PACs of the type of negative messaging that they would like transmitted. The red box is a tool for negative messages by third parties who interfere with local elections at the expense of the needs and viability of the local community. There are countless examples of where these strategies do more harm than good and have targeted many persons of color.
- We urge candidates to not turn on “one another” and not be used by third parties (outsiders) to tear down individuals who will need to help address the myriad of issues that we work together to address.
We certainly realize that where there is an urge (or a demand), there must also be a consequence. It is a simple one: we will not support candidates who run negative campaigns and we will urge our clergy colleagues to do the same. Please be assured that we can distinguish between “mudslinging” and lifting up your own abilities and vision over against an opponent, which is fair game.
In all, we are simply calling for civility and to avoid being used by outsiders to tear down. We hope and pray that at the end of these elections that we will remain allies as we work to address many of the pressing issues bearing down upon our communities. We remained challenged by a pandemic that had highlighted the historical health disparities in our nation and the barriers to a quality life that many seniors, poor people, and essential workers face every day. We need unity and synergy as we tackle issues related to education, housing, workforce development, crime, criminal justice, reimagining law enforcement, and certainly infant mortality.
Taken as a whole, these are not times to tear down one another or engage in divisive activities.
May we leave you with these words,
“Let us turn to each other and not on each other.” — Rev. Joseph E. Lowery
Bishop Eugene Ward, Pastor Jimmy Gates, Bishop Tony Minor, Pastor Kyle Earley
