By Paul Hubbard,
Guest Column
Judge Myron Duhart, who is running for reelection to an Ohio Appeals Court seat, led a discussion with his Toledo Boule fraternity brothers on why it’s important for Black people and people in general to vote.
The discussion was held at a breakfast gathering at the Toledo Country Club on River Road. The first part of the discussion was the 15th Amendment to the US Constitution which is the right to vote. We also discussed the dismantling of the 14th amendment which is giving US Citizenship to anyone born in the United States.
The conversation then went to the small number of Black judges on the different Ohio Appeals Courts. We need Black judges on the Appeals Courts to hear cases that may not have had a fair hearing in the lower courts.
Judge Duhart is a Democrat, but he supports the two-party system in the US because this represents checks and balances in order for the country to function in the way it should. The Democrats check the Republicans and the Republican check the Democrats.
We not only discussed why Black people should be motivated to vote. We also discussed the fact that Black people in high positions should deliver service and opportunities to the Black community at a higher and more resourceful level.
Many Black people in high positions are afraid to deliver to our Black community because they are afraid of Trump and his policies, especially some of our Black corporate people. Many Black people in highly placed positions are there for self-serving instead of serving our community.
Judge Duhart and Judge Alan McConnell, who was in attendance, and others spoke about attending events and churches and how the white politician/leaders get recognition first; then the Black politician/leaders get recognized afterwards.
The breakfast discussion ended with a discussion about the Black sororities and fraternities that should have more events where we invite our young people and young adults to talk about politics and why voting matters.