Rodney Govens: King's Legacy and Me

Hey {NAME}, Chris here. We’d like to continue our celebration of Black History Month by sharing a blog recently written by one of our Vortex candidates, Rodney Govens.  If you’d like to share this message online, the link to the original post is below. When you’re finished, [please make a contribution to Rodney’s campaign to flip AR-01]( and make history this November as the first Black man to represent our state in Congress. Thank you. - Chris   King’s Legacy and Me Rodney Govens Growing up in the 1980s and ’90s as a product of an interracial relationship presented numerous challenges, shaping my unique childhood experience that was anything but easy.  The struggles I faced were multifaceted and included constant bullying from both sides of the racial divide. I found myself caught in the middle, not fully embraced by my African-American neighbors due to perceptions of not being “black enough” and simultaneously facing a sense of alienation from my white classmates, who deemed me too dark to befriend. Elementary school became a crucible of torment, exacerbated by the additional hardships of growing up in poverty.  Amidst this tumultuous backdrop, I discovered solace in the world of books and education, particularly through my biological mother’s criminal justice classes at Midlands Technical College. I vividly recall a transformative experience when I was just 7 years old, joining my mother in her English class, where the assignment was to write a paper on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. My mother, suffering from retinitis pigmentosa and usher syndrome type 2, needed assistance with reading — creating a poignant bonding opportunity.  As I delved into Dr. King’s life, helping her with the assignment, I learned about the profound impact of his protests, the arrests, and the beatings he endured while championing the cause of equality. His powerful critique of the so-called “separate but equal” doctrine widely in place at that time resonated deeply with me, challenging my understanding of fairness. More significantly, I grappled with the question: How can one fight without throwing a punch?  In Dr. King’s teachings, I discovered that the potency of words and the delivery of a message could be as formidable as physical action. His lessons instilled in me the understanding that advocating for others is not only necessary but is a responsibility — mine, and yours, and every decent human’s. The fight against oppression and bullying, I learned, is ongoing, mirroring the enduring struggles of my own journey.  Dr. King’s legacy continues to inspire me daily, reminding me that even as a singular individual, I have the power to make a difference in the ongoing struggle for equality for all Americans — indeed, for all human beings.  Though his life was tragically cut short before my birth, Dr. King’s enduring influence manifests in my commitment to stand against injustice and to uphold the principles of equality and dignity for all.   Rodney Govens is a U.S. Army veteran, husband and father, and longtime Court Appointed Special Advocate for abused and neglected children. Rodney is running to flip AR-01 and, with Vortex’s support, he will send MAGA Rick Crawford packing in November.  When elected, Rodney will be the first Black man elected to represent Arkansas in Congress. Learn more at [rodneyforcongress.org]( and be sure to check out his new podcast, [Riding with Rodney](! [Donate to Elect Rodney]( [ Contribute to Vortex Â](      Vortex PAC is a new grassroots movement to transform Arkansas politics away from the far-right. We are recruiting, training, and supporting Democratic candidates to flip all four of Arkansas’ U.S. congressional districts and help win back the House majority in 2024. [DONATE >>](   Paid for by Vortex PAC  ©2024 Vortex PAC, all rights reserved  Our mailing address is: Vortex PAC PO Box 1141 Springdale, AR 72765 We're sad to see you go, but if you believe you received this email in error, or you no longer wish to receive our emails you can unsubscribe using the link below: [Click here to unsubscribe.]( Sent via [ActionNetwork.org](. To update your email address, change your name or address, or to stop receiving emails from Vortex PAC, please [click here](.