Page 6 - CEEM Shopping Mag November 2019

Local Matters

By Charleco Scipio Jr.

There is so much going on in the country right now. At rst glance, it can be overwhelming.
From politics, business, religion, economics, education, and transportation, some signi cant changes
are needed in communities across the country. There is so much focus on the national level, and
hardly as much emphasis on the local level. Yet, it is at the local level that we can have the strongest
and most signi cant impact. Put simply, local matters.

I did not see it this way at rst. I was focused on the biggest picture possible, not realizing that the
smaller images help to shape the mosaic. I remember the rst time that I ever voted; the historical
year of Obama’s rst term. I felt so great because I thought that I was helping to play a part in what
would become history. Yet, at that time, I can honestly say that I was not even slightly aware of any
of the smaller local elections or issues on the ballot that year. I was voting on the legislation that
would immediately a ect me and my surrounding community as if it were a guessing game. I was
ignorant of what was happening in my front yard.

I use politics as an example for this reason: Local Politics Matter. It is the gateway to problem-solving
for many community challenges such as business, economics, climate, and education, on both
national and local levels. We can vote for members of congress and the senate, and for our own city
councilmembers and commissioners. I feel Killer Mike stated it best:

“I encourage all people to vote locally rst. If you know a presidential candidate and you don’t know
who your local county commissioner or city councilman or judges and prosecutors are, then you are
failing yourself, your schools, and your community.”

This concept is also similar to the instructions we are given on an airplane: “Secure your oxygen mask
rst, and then help others.” We want to focus so much on others (i.e. national-level issues), when there
are issues that we can address and x for ourselves within our own community. What is important to
remember is that many times, these presidential candidates are stepping up from congress, from the
senate, from local or state governments. If you voted to appoint that individual, then when they
decide to run a race for higher positions, you have signi cant experience to base a voting decision.
You are familiar with the stance and platform of the representative and what decisions and legislation
they have helped to push forward.

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