“We all live here; It makes sense for all of us to be involved. Moving forward will require talents and voices from both sides.” Elim Craighill-Middleton, 3rd Vice Chair of Rowan County Democratic Party
Last week, I had the pleasure of being part of the Democratic contingent present at the Board of Elections meeting discussing early voting for Rowan County. Having never been a participant in anything like this before, the scene was new to me, but left me with some distinct impressions. We’re all often seen as starkly divided, but that’s not the message I came away with.
What I found was an eclectic mix of Democrats, Republicans, and Unaffiliated voters, all gathered to make their voices heard and be a part of their community. As I walked into the room, I was struck by how similar we all seemed; It was impossible to tell who would stand for what point before the floor was open for public comment, and we certainly had many good ones on both sides of the aisle. After all, we’re all citizens of Rowan County, and it’s natural to want to have say in something as integral to our community as voting rights. Perhaps I shouldn’t have been surprised!
Each part of the spectrum, naturally, had their own goals, but we were all present in the room that day. Each of us simply wanted what we felt was best for our county, and the sight of individuals from opposing sides of the metaphorical aisle coming together underlines our true strength – our diversity in infinite combinations. Each voice had a different facet of an issue, and each speaker was passionate and determined. It was a welcome reminder to me that we’re all united by our shared citizenship, living in a land that cherishes freedom and the right to freely speak our beliefs. What I saw was just a microcosm of the broader political discourse we’ve seen not just here, but around the country at large. Amidst the debate and opinions expressed, a single common thread emerged – the desire for a fair electoral process.
The distilled essence of this wasn’t voting, though, and it mirrored the essence of the nation itself. A politically divided room spoke to a politically divided Board, and I am proud to say that I saw polite, rational compromise in action. Our nation’s history is a testament to the power of collaboration among people from vastly different backgrounds, from the writing of the Constitution to the civil rights movement. Compromise and passion intertwined to create something beautiful.
We may not always agree, but shared values tie us all together so much more tightly than any of us can imagine. Our neighbors, friends, community leaders and those who chose smaller forms of activism for their respective parties all are speaking up about the small things that divide us, but what we miss is the commonality we all share. Statistically, we agree on more than we disagree on. Quality education, opportunity to vote, freedom of speech, public safety, and the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are all pillars upon which we stand. Those shared values underpin not just our nation, but our county at large.
What I learned and left the meeting mulling over was simple: What can we do to come together more, learn from each other, and respectfully have discourse? We managed it despite two different positions that day, and I hope we can do it again. We all live here; It makes sense for all of us to be involved. Moving forward will require talents and voices from both sides. I choose to remain optimistic for the future! If we can disagree civilly, perhaps we can all learn from each other and work together to find good and fair compromise that can include us all.
Elim Craighill-Middleton, 3rd Vice Chair of Rowan County Democratic Party