Complimentary Edition Volume 1 Complimentary Edition Volume 1 | Page 27

politicalPASSION

Fear As Fuel

Iowa State Rep expresses real emotions

As a rookie in the game of politics , one question I receive regularly is , “ Why do you want to get involved ...?” My response , “ Why not .” My determining factor is to use my fear as fuel .
Admitting my fear may not help my clout in the streets , still I find solace in being honest . Fear is a powerful emotion and the significance of it is often overlooked . As human beings , we are born afraid of certain things that are critical for survival . Fear has the ability to make us run faster , jump higher , or in the case of the 2016 Presidential Election vote for Donald Trump .
This is my story of how my fear became my fuel . As a young , black man in America I have experienced and witnessed the best and worst that this country has offered . I know what it feels like to have the police pull me over for no apparent reason . I know what it feels like to be called racial slurs and I have been told a time or two to return to Africa - as if I am not an American citizen .
Despite these ills , I take pride in referring to the Honorable Barack Obama as my President . This pride has little to do with his race . For the first time in my life a leader exists that represents me and my issues . Not only does POTUS represents the issues of a black man , but of a hopeful man . He represents me -- a man who despite the negative interactions -- married my middle school sweetheart , Amelia . She is white . Together we have a beautiful daughter who is neither black nor white , but proudly represents both cultures .
My President believes all people are afforded a quality education , he believes in all people loving whomever they choose and he believes diplomacy must be the workhorse of our arsenal as a country . My President reflects everything that is great about the USA . My President is a true American success story .
Sharing my story was rudely interrupted when Donald J . Trump became the nominee of the Republican Party for President of the United States of America . I equate my emotions to enjoying a scenic car ride when all of a sudden the brakes fail as it approaches the cliff . My heart rate increased , my stomach turned , my palms began to sweat and the fear quickly set in . My fear makes me feel like the direction this country is headed in a reversed course with a historic pace . As a first time candidate in a state race , I am unable to cut through the smog of the mainstream media . The day I won the seat of the Iowa State House District 62 , my constituents were not concerned about the carefully developed platform of my campaign or the other down ticket candidates . All I heard were loud thoughts about Trump .
Nationwide civil unrest became more frequent and as a country we were , we are divided . The president-elect ’ s win means either you are someone who feels oddly empowered by racism and bigotry spread by Trump or in fear for the future that so many has become martyrs to create .
It was in this moment that my fear became fuel . My fear that my daughter would be forced to choose a side was suddenly replaced with fuel that would burn . This country will have no choice but to appreciate the fact that she is beautiful and equally her mother ’ s and mine .
While some would believe a Trump Presidency is no reason to be afraid , I agree . I do not believe in his policies , nor his cabinet appointments . I believe in the American people . I believe that we will bond together to combat the assault on our education , judicial and immigration system . I believe we will harness the power of our fear and burn it as fuel as we move towards a greater tomorrow .
Ras Smith is the first term Democrat State Representative for Iowa House district 62 . With a passion for youth and removing barriers to youth success he also serves as the Site Coordinator at George Washington Carver Academy in Waterloo , Ia for the national non-profit Communities In Schools .
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