Rev. Traci D. Blackmon – former member of the Ferguson Commission, senior pastor at Christ The King United Church of Christ (UCC) in Florissant and acting executive minister of Justice and Witness Ministries for the national UCC – has endorsed Tishaura O. Jones for St. Louis mayor. We asked her why – and a few other questions about the campaign. The election is Tuesday, March 7; absentee voting is underway.
The St. Louis American: Why do you support Tishaura Jones for mayor?
Rev. Traci D. Blackmon: One of the most miraculous accomplishments of the last two and a half years in our region was the ability of media to locate, globally, the racial and economic unrest that erupted in our region as being a “Ferguson” issue. The systemic and institutional problems of our region were illuminated during heightened protest that began in Ferguson, but clearly the issues are longstanding and regional in both impact and scope.
The majority of candidates, all but one, have served in positions of political influence long before this mayoral race, so we have score cards on each of them. This is not a race that depends solely on our ability to believe what candidates promise, but rather it is an opportunity to evaluate the future effectiveness of candidates by their past interest and accomplishments.
In my opinion, Treasures Tishaura Jones’ score card stands heads and shoulders above the rest. Her tenure is shorter, yet her actual deliverables have been greater and will have generational impact in our city. I am most impressed with the savings program for children, developed under her leadership, that provides model and means for economically challenged families to begin instilling the expectation of higher education in many who may not have believed it possible.
In addition, there has not been a major issue in St. Louis that Tishaura has avoided or been silent on, including community/police relations, the necessity of a new stadium, educational challenges and homelessness. In every case, she has at least spoken up and, when possible, offered herself as a participant in solution-based conversations. Often, her opinions have been at great political risk. Yet she stands. I find this boldness and transparency refreshing.
Even during this campaign, Ms. Jones has continued to campaign and focus on the issues. In spite of many personal attacks leveled against her, she has stayed above the fray. We need this type of maturity in St. Louis right now. A realization that this is not a popularity contest. This is not a contest of self-interest. This is a political race that requires we give great thought to one who speaks and thinks regionally and has the guts to stand behind her convictions.
The St. Louis American: All the major candidates have made claims to running on a racial equity platform. Why do you find the others’ racial equity claims less persuasive?
Rev. Traci D. Blackmon: I find their racial equity platforms less persuasive because, again, I have not seen substantial progress as they served in their current positions. I have not seen the aldermen advocate for financial incentives that benefit black residents north of the Delmar divide. Many wards continue to have dilapidated buildings, substandard resources, public school challenges. If one has not performed well with one’s current assignment, why would promotion be warranted?
The St. Louis American: As I understand it, you are transitioning to Cleveland at some point, and certainly traveling a lot, but still very well-connected in St. Louis. What are you hearing from people about this race?
Rev. Traci D. Blackmon: I am not transitioning to Cleveland any more than I already have. It is true that I now serve my denomination on the national level, and my office for that position is in Cleveland. However, St. Louis remains home base for me, and I do not foresee that changing in the near future. I continue to serve as senior pastor of Christ The King, a decision I made before accepting my other position. I am invested in St. Louis and I plan to continue to do my part.
As for the second part of your question, I am energized by all the chatter, private discussions, and public forums that the mayoral race has generated this time. People of every age, race, gender and ethnicity seem to be engaged, and this is a good thing. I am especially impressed with the young people and millennials engaging in local politics. As I said, people have score cards and there is much more interest in electing the person who will best serve this entire region and not just the special interest groups.
The St. Louis American: Do you see any signs that black voters are converging around a consensus candidate?
Rev. Traci D. Blackmon: No. Nor am I one that is particularly concerned about that. I do not support Tishaura because she is black. I support her because she is the best candidate. If we converge around the facts, one candidate will emerge.
The St. Louis American: Do you see any signs that white voters are converging around Lyda Krewson as a consensus candidate, as most observers expected?
Rev. Traci D. Blackmon: I have not paid attention to that. I do notice that more funds have been donated to Mrs. Krewson’s campaign than any other. But that may mean a few large donors or several smaller ones. Some bodies are certainly in her corner, but I have no idea about the racial makeup.
I also think it is presumptuous to assume only black people are supporting the other candidates. I know for certain this is not the case.
The St. Louis American: What do you think of media coverage of the campaign so far?
Rev. Traci D. Blackmon: Media coverage has been what it always is: biased. It is interesting to me how often the lives of Tishaura’s family members has made it into the newspaper. Does she not get to run for mayor on her own record? When newspapers resort to petty character assassination, it damages all of journalism.
