In 1858 during the Lincoln-Douglas debates, President Abraham Lincoln wrote that “public sentiment is everything. With it, nothing can fail. Without it, nothing can succeed … ” I believe in building bridges over putting up barriers to unity. I aspire to a more perfect union in our communities, cities and across our country. Today, more than ever, public sentiment overwhelmingly shares those beliefs.
I learned early on that politics is the adjudication of power. That power can be wielded to divide or to unite. Too often our two-party system has resulted in the former. This is why I became an independent. I choose to think and act freely in service of others because itap just, effective, and solves problems to the challenges we face in society.
I’m tired of the politics of division. You see I grew up in the South in a nearly all-black, working-poor neighborhood; raised by a single mother who always put her children before herself. She taught us faith, love and to work together. Growing up I always thought I was a Democrat, even becoming vice president of the college NAACP chapter during my freshmen year. As far as I was concerned at that time Republicans were rich, old, white men.
In my early twenties, I chose to affiliate as a Republican. I felt the party’s history of fighting for the abolition of slavery; of enacting the civil rights constitutional amendments 13, 14, and 15; of pushing for women’s suffrage; of holding up the principles of limited government, justice for all, strengthening free enterprise and fiscal responsibility were aligned with my own values. I still cherish both the history and hold those values. Yet, there are two values I place a premium on in my heart that seem to be missing from today’s political environment — honesty and unity. Hypocrisy is more the rule than the exception. This is why I became an independent.
Itap not that most Democrats or Republicans aren’t honest or don’t want unity (although I’m sure plenty would say otherwise). Itap that the state of today’s politics makes upholding honesty and strengthening unity among our diverse people nearly impossible. For 20 years as a Republican, I tried to carry the banner and work to change things from the inside. But after 20 years, I’m not sure I made much of a dent.
I have been able to accomplish things like helping to shape the city of Aurora and being a voice of reason for everyday people. Those that really know me know that I’ve only ever sought to serve, make a positive difference, and do right by our community. I’ve made mistakes and wish I had made some different decisions, but my aim has always been true to what I believed to be right and just.
When I recently hosted a “Community Coffee” on Aurora’s future, Ms. Duncan, a retired nurse from the Medical Center of Aurora, said to me, “Why can’t we get things done? Fix our transportation system, improve our education, and keep our neighborhoods safe.” Ms. Duncan, I agree. This is why I became an independent.
My hero, thatap my mom, used to tell me how my grandmother would say, “ain’t none of us here to stay.” To this day I ask myself and challenge others to answer the question, “What are you going to do with the time you have on God’s green earth?” For me, I intend to do my part, to make a positive impact through my faith, my family and my works.
I became an independent because I feel itap where I need to be to do my part to help move our community forward. Being independent allows me greater freedom to bridge the divides between race, socio-economics, and ideologies to work to solve problems facing our people from all walks of life.
I expect there will always be those who disagree with me or question my motives. Thatap politics, and thatap life. Thatap OK, and in fact, I think thatap a good thing.
However, working through disagreement to find understanding and how we can come together to make things better is what ultimately is important and impactful. Thatap the end game. And, with that unwavering focus and needed public sentiment, nothing can fail. As Lincoln wrote, itap everything.
Ryan Frazier is a small business owner, co-founder of High Point Academy, and former at-large Aurora city councilman.
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