Bridging ‘the disconnect between politics and our community’
By Kenya Vaughn
For the St. Louis American
“Nothing is politically right when it is morally wrong,” said the Rev. James T. Morris, senior pastor of Lane Tabernacle CME Church at Sunday’s service.
“We need a government that will stand up and speak up for those voices that go unheard.”
Billed as an appreciation for black elected officials, Lane Tabernacle’s special service last Sunday was more of a wake-up call following a bitter primary election with low voter turnout.
“Our elected officials have been leading the best that they could without any real input from us,” said Morris.
“A lot of times we yell and scream about what’s wrong, but I want our community to be proactive so that we can sit down with them and tell them our expectations.”
More than a dozen officials attended the service, including District 5 state Senator Maida Coleman, District 63 state Representative Robin Wright-Jones, Jamilah Nasheed (who won the August 8 primary race in the 60th state House district), District 1 County Councilwoman Hazel Erby, Judge Renee Hardin-Tammons, 18th Ward Alderman Terry Kennedy, 19th Ward Alderman Mike McMillan, Alderwoman Doris Jackson of Berkeley, Mayor Monica Huddleston of Greendale, the Rev. Everett Thomas, mayor of Northwoods, Brandon Davis, political director for state Auditor Claire McCaskill’s campaign for U.S. Senate, and Secretary of State Robin Carnahan.
The service would still be in progress if Morris had allowed all of the officials to make remarks, but Carnahan was allowed to speak. She discussed the infamous Voter ID Bill recently signed into law by Governor Matt Blunt.
“There are folks in this state that think only certain people should be allowed to vote. I hope and pray that you all will talk with everyone you know about what’s going on,” Carnahan said.
“There are those out there who are waiting on the courts to throw this bill out, but we can’t count on that. We have to count on ourselves.”
“I am also concerned that we do not exercise our right to vote,” Morris said, as Carnahan exited the pulpit. “And if we continue on that track, we will always be complaining and grumbling.”
Morris acknowledged that many people do not vote because they distrust politicians and don’t bother to choose between what they perceive to be the lesser of evils.
“One of the problems that we have is a lack of connection and a lack of leadership that we trust,” said Morris. “We need to bridge the gap.”
In order to do so, Morris led officials down to the altar to declare a covenant, which included the commitment “to keep myself above reproach regarding my manner and conduct.”
Morris began his formal sermon by reciting the famous Abraham Lincoln quote, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.”
“Political leaders should never be followed in such a way that divides the community,” Morris said.
“This is why I invited you here today. So that we my find the answer to what’s wrong with our community as it relates to the disconnect between our politics and our community.”
“It was groundbreaking for Rev. Morris to have this type of event,” said Wright-Jones. “It helps us to refocus what we are doing and to know that the community is not only watching us but supporting us as well.”
“I applaud Rev. Morris for taking the leadership and the vision to bring all of the various members of governmental community together to make sure that our community is cohesive and united and making sure that everyone participates in the democratic process,” said McMillan.
“And for informing the community about the voter ID legislation – to make sure that our people understand it and are prepared to exercise our most important right in November.”
“I truly believe that church and state should not be separated,” said Nasheed.
“I think that is going to take the religious sector and the political sector to come together and go outside of our comfort zone and speak to the needs of the people, and that’s what you see today.”
“This service today is designed for us as an opportunity to reconnect as people of God and of African descent and to connect with those in leadership, to form a bond and agreement with them, saying that we are going to be watching what you do,” Morris said.
“It is my contention that we have to walk with our elected officials and, from my window, St. Louis hasn’t been doing that very well. They represent us, but they can not successfully represent us unless we tell them what we expect them to do.”
