As a lifelong Democrat, I have always worked in the trenches encouraging everyone to vote. This year's Aiken County Democratic Party convention held Saturday, March 16, was my first taste of the inner workings of this organization. Last year, a group of faithful Democrats asked me to vie for chair of the board. Before being asked to run for the chair, the National Racial Justice Network asked me to start and preside over a chapter in Aiken County. While the mission of both organizations resonated with me given the 2024 election timeline the most immediate urgency to me was — and still is — to increase Democratic voter interest. So, I agreed to run for the position.
Before the election, the seat was protested by petition. However, at the behest of higher authority, the petition was not allowed. During the petition period, I invited the incumbent chairperson to meet. We had a cordial, but plenary discussion. We shared thoughts and suggestions. I also shared the concerns of the group, but there was not a meeting to resolve differences.
The convention was an interesting experience. While my bid for the chair fell short, my disappointment was not so much with losing the election but with the unethical way the convention and election were managed. Given the nature and purpose of the event, I expected to enjoy a cordial and organized occasion, which was not the case. With us committed to the same mission and fighting for the same ideals, there was a feeling of tension and acrimony permeating the atmosphere. As the meeting proceeded, I began to suspect that this was an effort designed more to stop a particular person regardless of qualification and experience.
Furthermore, a feeling of implicit bias and entitlement suppressed the sense of freedom and the promise of democracy in the room. After the poorly managed election, I questioned the integrity of the process. It felt as though we were in the 1960s or a foreign country where groups did whatever was necessary to remain in control. I wonder what talking points were employed to sway votes.
This was not a good show for a party that promotes racial harmony, equality and diversity as hallmarks of their platform. Several participants expressed concerns that a bad message was sent at such a critical moment in this year's election cycle.
As an organization committed to preserving the liberties mandated by the Constitution of our great country, knowing that the Democratic Party stands on the right side of truth and freedom, we must understand that virtue and integrity are critical to our success.
As the canopy of the Aiken County Democratic Party complex, fairness and democracy are imperatives to the success of any endeavor. We cannot effectively defend what we fail to practice. We must never forget, as Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. stated, “We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
Thanks for your service.
Lester A. Smalls
Aiken
