The Hope And Vision Of Derrick Wallace
- Details
- Category: Lifestyle/People
- Published: Friday, 16 January 2015 17:53
- Written by Derrick Wallace
Introduction by Lawrence A. Robinson
Derrick Wallace called me late one evening about two years ago, introduced himself and then asked me if I knew who he was. At that point in time, he and I had never formally met. I knew of him and actually years earlier, I was part of the transition team moving into leadership of the Orange County NAACP as he was moving out of that president's position.
During that phone call, two years ago, he asked me if I would support him. Before I could answer he ask me if there was any reason why I wouldn't support him. I quizzed him on an issue that I knew he had been involved in and asked for clarification.
He explained to me that particular issue and even several others without me asking. He then went on to talk about the challenges facing Orange County and the consequences of continued inaction or incorrect action. I listened as he told me how he planned to tackle those challenges if elected.
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I was impressed. Especially with the plan going forward if he in fact won the election. Derrick Wallace has a plan that will actually get elected officials and the community working together. It is different. It is bold. It is doable.
He didn't win the election for the Orange County Commission, but he still has the plan. And it is still a good viable plan. Derrick Wallace realized that you don't have to be in office in order to support the community and make things happen.
He is back, and he needs your help to put this plan into action. Please consider joining him in this community effort.
Derrick Wallace went home with his marbles - Should that decision be revisited
by Derrick Wallace
Two years ago, I started out on a journey not merely to win a county commission seat, but to transform the condition of our communities. In fact, through this effort many of my supporters have become friends. And, over the course of the last two years, we have acquired new friends and supporters who still believe in our mission to transform Orlando. Well, we did not garner the majority of the vote in the election. And, I initially, as a human being, pushed aside the election, our mission and the vision.
I was wrong. Though we did not get a majority of the few who voted, our campaign was right. Our vision is still real. Our purpose is still valid and our mission must continue, and I do not have to be an elected official to represent your concerns.
I can’t be selfish, we can’t be selfish and take our marbles home and tend to ourselves, while our neighbors continue to live in despair and the hope and future of our young people fade. The hard truth, though it can be said that there is a side of Orlando that can truly be called the City Beautiful, there is another side. There's another part to the City Beautiful; the part where some people can't pay their rents or meet their mortgages. A side where most young people aren't prepared to compete academically; and those who can can't afford a higher education and their parents watch their children dreams become nightmares.
In this part of the city, there are more poor people than ever, more families in trouble, more and more people who need help but can't find it. Our elderly have to decide daily between food or medicine. There are people who sleep in the streets of City Beautiful where the glitter doesn't show. There is Parramore with young people, without a job or an education. And, all around us we see young people giving their lives to drugs. There is despair in the faces that aren’t displayed on the billboards of the City Beautiful. Yes, Orlando is the "Tale of Two Cities" - one beautiful and one not.
And, so what I am saying is we have built a team, a committed team. You have given of your time and your money. We have formed bonds that will last a lifetime. Unlike any other campaign, we have made a family. Added to that, over ten thousand people spoke with their votes, we join your family. That is to many voices to ignore.
A. Philip Randolph summed up it best, “At the banquet table of nature, there are no reserved seats. You get what you can take, and you keep what you can hold. If you can't take anything, you won't get anything, and if you can't hold anything, you won't keep anything. And you can't take anything without organization.”
So this family, this organized family, which started long before this past campaign has an obligation to answer the call. I can hear people crying we are hungry, we need jobs, we need good schools for our children, jobs for our able bodies and minds, dignity for self worth.
The past election was not an end, but a beginning. So, I have invited you here today, to tell me if we should begin the next leg of our journey. We must continue on our mission to transform Orlando/Orange County and make of it a Beautiful for all of us to live. This is not District 6, but Orange County. So many said they would vote for me, is they could.
This is how I feel. That may not be how you feel. If you will still support Derrick Wallace, let me know. Reach out to me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Facebook and express your opinion.