Memphis, we have a problem!
We have elected officials who seem to treat criticism as a personal attack instead of part of the job. Instead of sitting with criticism, separating legitimate concerns from the noise, and asking whether there is actually something they could do differently, the response too often is dismissive and insulting.
Mayor Paul Young recently described posts criticizing him as “misinformed” and “silly a** posts.” Some criticism probably is misinformed. Some of it probably is silly. Shoot, some of it might even be flat-out wrong. But when you hold public office, you cannot throw every criticism you don't like into the same bucket.
And let me be clear: criticism
should be respectful and constructive. Elected officials are human beings, and disagreement does not permit us to forget that.
A little bit of Respect
But respect goes both ways.
Our elected officials cannot ask us to participate in democracy and elect them to represent us, then become offended when that participation includes criticism. I know this might shock a lot of people, but being challenged by the people you represent comes with public office.
The recent ICE raid on Macon Road is a perfect example of the disconnect I am talking about.
Supporters of Mayor Young have argued that criticism of his response is misplaced because this was a federal operation outside of his control. And to be fair, they are right about the limits of his authority. Federal agencies conducted the Aug. 30 operation. MPD said it did not plan or execute the raid. Local organization Vecindarios 901 reported that more than 100 people were detained.
But that isn't what much of the criticism is about.
The criticism isn't that Mayor Young should have somehow ordered ICE out of Memphis or personally stopped a federal operation. Memphians aren’t slow! We know the Mayor of Memphis does not control ICE.
The criticism is about what he did with the power he does have.
Mayor Young’s statement showcases this disconnect even better. Much of the beginning was spent explaining the City of Memphis and MPD’s role. It didn’t even do that correctly since directing traffic is considered by most to be taking part in the execution of the raid.
At a moment when families were trying to figure out where their loved ones were, WE deserved more from the top executive in Memphis.
Why is it misinformed or silly to want our mayor to convey how deeply people were hurting?
Tell us that what happened was a tragedy, not just “unsettling.” Tell us what City Hall knows and what you are trying to find out. Tell families where they can go for help. Tell us what resources the city can legally provide and what your administration is doing in response. Where the city does not have the authority to act, tell us that too.
That is where the power of the podium matters.
Using Power
There is a difference between having the power to stop something and having the power to speak about it. Speaking strongly against the raid probably would not have changed what federal authorities did next. But it still would have mattered.
It would have told Memphians: I see your fear. I understand your anger. What happened is a big deal, and your city government is going to treat it like one.
Sometimes that is what leadership requires.
And that brings us right back to the criticism.
When criticism is wrong, correct it. When people misunderstand your authority, explain it. When people overlook what you have done, bring the receipts.
But listen to the criticism first.
Our elected officials do not have to agree with us, and they cannot magically solve every problem. But when Memphis is hurting, we need leaders who understand the power of their voice and make damn sure the people know their pain has been heard.
You don't need jurisdiction over an issue to have a voice on it. And you don't need the power to fix everything to use the power you do have.
Brandon Washington is a certified write-in candidate for TN House District 93. He is a graduating senior at the University of Memphis, a lifelong resident of Orange Mound, and a former Memphis City Council candidate who received more than 16,000 votes in Super District 9.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Dealing with criticism part of the job for politicians | Opinion
