Hatch, Jr. should keep building his organization
He is not the best candidate to replace Brandon Johnson as commissioner
Whether we want to admit it, the Black community has an extremely serious ego problem when it comes to politics. There is no other way to explain why in nearly every race for public office-up to the Congressional level-that everytime there is a Black candidate who is ideally suited for that office; someone with no chance jumps into the fray. That is exactly what we are seeing in the move to replace Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson on the Cook County Board of Commissioners.
The Rev. Ira Acree, who exemplifies the word activist, announced he would be seeking the appoinment for the opening. Acree hasn’t served in any elected role but has been instrumental in the strategy and get-out-the-vote initiatives in city, county and state elections for decades.
Along with his friend and fellow pastor Marshall Hatch, Sr., Acree has gained a national reputation of fighting for civil rights. They have been a formidable tag team. While his home, church and roots are on the city’s West Side, he is known and respected throughout Chicago. There really is no downside to his desire and attempt to be the next member of the county board.
It is disheartening that one of the early, maybe the first competitior Acree has for that position is Marshall Hatch, Jr the son of Acree’s friend, . Frankly, the younger Hatch was seeking the seat against a white opponent, it would be easier to endorse him as that district needs an African-American in that position.
The younger Hatch has served as executive director of an organization that operates out of his father’s church. The organization is MAAFA Redemption Project. Its mission is to provide Black men and their Hispanic counterparts housing, job skills development, educational opportunities, and wrap-around social services. Not only is the work commendable, by all accounts it is successful.
That success begs the question why not continue to grow the organization and possibly expand beyond the West Garfield Park area it currently operates in. If he has achievements, especially in the governmental or political arena, they are not widely known.
There is really nothing in his background that indicates he is ready for this step. Like another community activist last year who sought a congressional seat and had no political or governmental experience, Hatch Jr. would serve himself well to recognize helping people is a far cry from dealing with a $9 billion budget, 16 other individuals with an equal voice in all matters and navigating the world of politics for the first time. The work he is doing with MAAFA is sorely needed, as is his presence there exclusively.
Of course there will be those who advocate for a young person to have a chance at elected office-Hatch Jr. is in his mid 30s. They are absolutely correct. The counter though is someplace along the line those young people need to put in some level of work to prepare them-hanging around a candidate is not work.
One has to believe that any conversations, if there were any, among the two Hatchs and Acree will always be confidential. Hopefully, none of the relationships involved are terribly strained.