"Let My People Go!"
Official Announcement Speech (Full Text)
Delivered by: Natalie Williams, Ward 8 City Council Candidate
"Thank you so very much for the kind words spoken here today by all of you, and the wonderful introduction by my daughter, Nyela Williams. She is truly an example of what our young kids grow to be when we invest in them. And I thank her for being such a beautiful young lady.
I thank my Bishop, Bishop Hudson of Matthews Memorial Baptist Church for being here today and believing in my candidacy. I thank Pastor Holebrook from Delaware Baptist Church for his support and willingness to open his doors so that we may gather. I thank my campaign chairman, Mr. Bruce Holmes, and my entire campaign team for just being so awesome. We are a small team, but we are a mighty team. I say thank you for making me look so good.
Today, I thank all of you who participated in the "Fit to Run". It was important for me to take our campaign to the streets as we kickoff our field operations plan this week. Our goal is to travel to every corner of this Ward to spread our message of empowerment, advancement, and prosperity.
And certainly, I thank GOD for giving me the strength each day and for allowing me to be all that I am --- and allowing me to stand before you as the next City Councilwoman of Ward 8.
There is a familiar story in the Bible that I believe truly captures the day and time in which we, Ward 8 residents, are finding ourselves living in - as well as my run to represent my fellow neighbors here in Ward 8. African American history has drawn significant parallel to the story of Moses and the Israelites because the Israelites, just as our ancestors, were held in captivity for over 400 years. Please allow me a moment to set the stage for the sole purpose of getting my message across to you.
The story of Moses and the Israelites
You see ... Moses was ordered by GOD to lead the people out of captivity from under the leadership of King Pharaoh. You see, under King Pharaoh's leadership the people were dying - literally and figuratively. They were drowning because instead of King Pharaoh giving to the people, he took from them. He held them back by not providing them with the needed materials and necessary tools to survive. GOD said to Moses that he had seen the misery of the people; he had heard their cries, and he was very concerned. He called upon Moses to go to where the people were being held captive and free them of their suffering.
The story goes on to say that with deep hesitation and fear, Moses questioned GOD by asking "who am I?" to go and speak with the King and to challenge him on his rule. GOD replied to Moses saying go forth ... that he would empower him along the way by performing many miracles through him. GOD told Moses that the blessings would come to him and the people in an "unfamiliar" package - meaning it would be something that he had never seen before. Moses didn't believe until
GOD killed Pharaoh's son, which in my opinion symbolizes the hopes and dreams of a better Ward 8 having to be realized by the killing of something dear to Pharaoh. As a result, with the strength of
GOD and a belief, Moses went toe-to-toe with King Pharaoh shouting "Let My People Go."
Now, before I go any further let me say. Councilman Barry is not King Pharaoh, but has a similar rule over the people. And I am not Moses, but my decision to run was met with the same deep consideration and even some fear as that of Moses. So in that regard, I draw significant parallel to this story between Councilman Marion Barry, the residents of Ward 8, and myself.
Councilman Barry is like Pharaoh, in that, he will not let the people go despite being ineffective in addressing the social ills of our community, and advancing the people of our Ward so that they may break free and become self-reliant.
I am like Moses in that I have heard the many cries of the people, and GOD spoke to my heart and said use what you've been equipped with to serve your community and I will be there to help you along the way. And the residents, which include my daughter and I, are like the Israelites. We hold an allegiance to a man who has been ruler over our land, thus ourselves, and have been willing to bury our hopes, dreams, and aspirations so that he may be able to, figuratively speaking, continue to live. And how do we do that? By continuing to vote for mediocre representation.
Like Moses... Who am I?
I am simply a resident of Ward 8 with a thought that our community should be better than what it is today. And I am running for Ward 8 City Council in hopes of fulfilling that dream by changing the condition of my own existence as a single-mother living in Ward 8, while at the same time changing the condition of our community and enhancing the lives of my 74,000 neighbors.
My inspiration to seek elected office is birthed out of a passion of listening and working on behalf of the people. For twelve years, I traveled all across the United States telling the stories of our world, our communities, and our people as a news journalist. As a result, I took a special interest in improving the quality of life of individuals and began working as a top aide to elected officials who represent our nation's urban cities. It is through these combined experiences that I have come face to face with the needs and challenges of our communities, and the role of legislators to ensure that they are met and addressed.
My life's work led me here to Washington DC where I have been fortunate to work alongside some of Washington DC's top elected officials and leaders. I was inspired to seek elected office in Ward 8 because it is where my personal love and connectivity to people lie. Over the years, as the spokesperson for our current ward 8 councilmember, I have had a front row seat into the operations and management of our Ward, and have unfortunately, drawn the conclusion that the place where I call home not only deserves better ... we want better. I have had the opportunity to meet longtime residents, and those who are new to our Ward, and they have overwhelmingly expressed loud and clear that they are ready for a change in leadership. I am that change. I am a real choice for carrying the torch into the next phase of empowerment, advancement, and prosperity of our Ward. And, I am the only candidate with a real chance to win against the legendary incumbent.
Back to the Basics
Now, Folks always ask what are you going to do differently than what's being done now. It is at this point where most candidates get stuck and begin promising lofty deliverables which will undoubtedly come back to bite them. When this happens, it's merely a set up for disappointment for the constituents and the candidate down the road. My reply to this question is always the same and within reach --- "I am going to work - to empower, uplift, and advance our community."
It is important that we go back to the basics, and begin to infuse hope and energy back into our people. Far too long, we have been told that we are the last, the least, the forgotten. This repeated message to our residents has been embedded into the mindsets of our people to the point where they begin to believe that that is who they truly are. My message to all of Ward 8 is to not let your circumstances and your environment determine who you are and where you are going. Together, we are a smart people. We are a resilient people. We have hopes. We have dreams. The difference between deserving better, and wanting better is that deserve leads us to a feeling of entitlement, while wanting makes of active participants in seeking and achieving our goals.
As I traveled our Ward and talked with our residents several key matters surface immediately, 1) Public Safety, 2) Education, 3) Employment and Training, 4) Affordable Housing, both rental and purchase, and 5) Healthcare.
I intend to use my skills and resources as a professional communicator and strategic planner to first create a working group of residents and professionals around each of these areas. I will work with each of these groups to develop both a strategic/action plan and a marketing/ communications plan in order to a) clearly isolate and address the root causes of each of these issues, b) identify resources both public and private to work on these issues, and c) create a community-based working group to provide ongoing coordination and implementation of our efforts. Given that we are in the Nation's Capitol, I would encourage, and in some cases insist on, Federal Government support in assisting us in moving our plan forward. I would work to ensure that all of our programs and efforts serve as examples and models across the country.
I will work towards the creation of stronger collaboration initiatives amongst service and training providers. Develop better communication systems between Ward leaders and their respective constituency. Work with existing community organizations to strengthen existing programs and to identify new possibilities for the betterment of respective neighborhoods in particular and the Ward in general. Moreover, I would work with my colleagues on the City Council to create legislation, and provide extensive oversight over existing legislation, that will help to reduce poverty, reduce crime, provide jobs, reduce the recidivism rate, reduce the HIV/AIDS rate, and address the issue of homelessness and single motherhood in the city and in the Ward.
Socially, I would use the office of the City Council to build relationships across our Ward. It would be my intent to foster on-going activities aimed at bringing neighborhoods together, highlighting the hopes, dreams and aspirations of our residents, and creating a "yes we can" atmosphere throughout the Ward. It would be my intent to sponsor events that bring the residents out, encourage success amongst the young people, and support the elderly in the Ward. I would also ensure that we don't leave out the disabled and those who are mentally challenged. I want our Ward and its residents to feel a sense of oneness and exhibit the attributes of what a wholesome and thriving community represents.
Politically, I would work collaboratively with the Ward 8 Democrats to increase the numbers of members in our party organization. I will work with our two high schools to make sure that our students are involved in civic engagement opportunities and voter registration. I will commit to monthly dialogues with our residents giving personal face-to-face meetings in various neighborhoods across the Ward.
Culturally, I would work with existing arts and humanity organizations in finding out what are their more pressing needs. I would use the office of the City Council to identify resources both government and private sector to strengthen and expand our existing arts and music programs in the schools and in the community.
Economically, I would promote the existence of our Hub Zones, Enterprise Zones and Empowerment Zones in the Ward. I would highlight the benefits that these entities have and encourage the development and growth of small businesses utilizing these avenues created for economic development. I will call for a balanced approached on providing social services versus economic opportunities.
Now, specifically for my single mothers of the Ward. Let me say this -- I personally know first hand the challenges that we face on a day-to-day basis. I don't have to tell you, but its hard work being the mother, the father, the doctor, the teacher, the counselor, the disciplinary ...and the list goes on and on. Most days we wonder -- "How are we going to make it". But I know you agree with me when I say that at the end of the day, the smiles on our babies faces is worth all the sacrifices in the world.
For those of us who are getting public assistance now to make ends me - you should know that that will come to an end within a 5 years period...this according to TANF officials. Today, I urge my fellow single mothers to begin taking the necessary steps now to care for your babies tomorrow. We must begin now to prepare for tomorrow --- that day sure to come.
As your sister in motherhood and your next Councilwoman, I ask that you stand with me so that I can fight for the future of our children. I commit to developing programs that would assist you with the basic necessities today and at the expiration of your government support. We've got to be able to take care of our babies. And that is my commitment to you!
Closing Thoughts
The story of Moses and the Israelites ends by Moses telling the children of Israelites to put blood over top of their doors so that the death angel would pass them by. In our case, I would ask for the residents of Ward 8 to signal their and their children's desires to live, by casting your vote for me on April 3, 2012.
Our
Ward has the highest rates of social pathology there is. We have the lowest rate of those indicators which represent positive growth and responsible development, both human capital and bricks and mortar. All of those running for the Council seat, including Marion Barry, have had many years between them to address these inequities. Every last one of them ... except for me. I believe that I am the real choice and I am the only candidate with a real chance to change the direction of our Ward.
In return, it is my promise to ALL WARD 8 voters that I will never take your vote or your voice for granted. And that together, we will work for a better, brighter, and more hopeful Ward 8.
Thank you.
