By Antoine Hubbard l October 15, 2024

As a long-time citizen of Merced, I have enjoyed working with Adam Gray and his team over the years while he fulfilled his duties representing Merced County residents as an assemblyman in Sacramento.

As a Black Citizen Activist, here in the district Adam Gray represents, I have found him to be one of the most consistent, non-bias, and diversified political leaders in the past 10 years, while addressing concerns that affect people of color and especially “Blacks.”

Adam Gray has not only earned himself the Black vote, but his leadership has shown that he is the best qualified candidate in this monumental election and the 13th Congressional race of 2024.

The community and especially Black residents are very proud of Adam Gray working with local and state legislature to rename Merced Superior Court in the honor of locally known Harvard Law Professor Charles Ogletree. Professor Charles Ogletree not only was a mentor to both former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama as students while they completed their studies in Law.

A majority of our past and present political candidates have not and do not show their concerns or much interest in Black residents or the cultural events within Merced County. I have also taken note that they would reach out to certain Black community leaders in efforts to influence people of color during these times to suit their own political agenda. Events such as the popular Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade and March seem to have little value and not much interest on part of these officials. They are often seen leaving the events early, as little as 30 minutes into the program or showing up just in time for photos. The facts are facts, and these leaders know who they are, and the community knows as well. It’s disappointing to see the disrespect of local dignitaries, in regards to historical moments in time and who also choose not to support our children’s school and cultural events.

At the conclusion of the community events, you can often find former Assemblyman Adam Gray and former Mayor Stan Thurston and a few unnamed others interacting with community attendees embracing their local and state level concerns or embracing the children to whom they know and value as the next generation of tomorrow’s leaders.

It would be nice to see more effort during local elections by displaying candidates signs in all areas of Merced County and not stopping at the RailRoad Tracks we still seem to be separated by for so long. This would ensure a proper election which outcome will insure the candidate’s that have earned their seat. Thanks to the few who do continue to put the effort to be known all over their district and within Merced County.

The divisions within our community are preventing many residents from fully participating in democracy, including the right to vote.

Let’s elect Adam Gray for Congress.

Antoine Hubbard is the CEO of S.O.U.L. (Straighten Out Unjust Law in Merced County).