Bringing Home the Bacon!


Bringing Home the Bacon!

By Brenda Sheriff, CSA

On November 3rd, millions of us voiced our choice and voted for candidates who we believe and expect to carry through on their campaign promises. In a perfect world, the newly elected officials should work together to make our country a better place to live for all of us who call the United States of America home. However, this is not a perfect world, and I want to bring to your attention that although the midterm election is over, our civic duties have just begun.

If you are like me, you stayed up late on election night following the outcome of elections across the country. It brought joy to my heart to see the huge unified vote for change sweep over our country. We the people voted our choices, much to the chagrin of 47 and his sycophants.

Yes, we have a lot of new faces occupying public offices across the nation. Hope springs eternal, but hope, like faith, without works is dead. Now, more than ever, is the time for us as a nation to make sure that our elected officials function in their respective offices as they promised to do during their campaigns.

I am particularly proud and thankful that Black folks showed up and showed out. Yes, the “Blue Tsunami,” as the 2026 Midterm Elections have been dubbed, owes us Black folks with our 90% plus Democrat loyalty some credit. What a wonderful show of unity among Black voters across our nation!

Ninety percent agreement on anything is unprecedented. In my opinion, it is proof that a power above ALL POWERS had a hand in creating this amazing phenomenon. As we say in church, “Nobody but God! Won’t He do it?” Yes, He did. Now what?

Now that we have demonstrated such political unity nationally, please imagine with me the power we can wield in our communities across the nation. We have an opportunity to be the head, and not the tail. I can see the return of recognition of our power-brokering legacy organizations, like the NAACP, Operation PUSH, and the Urban League, once again being on the evening news reporting on “Skinfolk's” demands. I envision us going to the bastions of power, not on bent knees, but flat-footedly presenting demands for reparations and access to opportunities that have been denied to us for generations, particularly during the current national administration.

Yes, one person, one vote can finally work in our favor if we move quickly to place our victory flags in the offices of those candidates who owe their election victories, in part, to our votes.

Now, this is where it gets tricky. Stay with me here. This is where our culture has too often worked against us.

How, you ask? Well, simply put, although we “Skinfolk” voted in unprecedented numbers and demonstrated remarkable political unity, WE MUST ASK OURSELVES WHETHER WE VOTED WITH UNDERSTANDING.

We voted with emotions of fear, anger, and disgust. Those emotions may have motivated us to the polls, but emotions alone will not provide a return for the votes we cast. We must now organize within our respective voting districts and agree on what we expect each elected official to accomplish to earn our votes the next time they run for office. If we don't do this, then our voting will be in vain.

Speaking for Chicago, there were way too many offices on the ballot with unopposed candidates. In my opinion, these offices can be among the most troublesome because competition is one of the things that keeps elected officials on their toes. Why should an officeholder feel compelled to work harder for the people when there is no opponent challenging their record or promising to work to the fullest capacity of an office in the interests of their constituents?

This is where organizing around common interests becomes important. People who are organized, understand both the political and governmental processes, and know how to communicate those processes to the masses in simple terms, helping others understand how government should work to meet their needs, too.

When we come together, we should never assume that everyone understands how politics and government work.

Many do not know the specific duties and responsibilities of the many elected officials sworn to represent them. As I’m sure you know, each office has specific responsibilities, authority, and obligations to each of us; we the people who elect them and pay taxes to fund government operations. Yes, “We the people” today, by law, means ALL the people, not just a few.

Here is where we need to get our house in order, beginning now, in preparation for the municipal elections that will take place next year, 2027.

First, EDUCATE YOURSELF BEFORE YOU VOTE. Find out what offices will be on the ballot and what the duties and responsibilities of each office are. Then do your homework on each candidate. What is their background? What are their promises if elected? If they currently hold public office, have they done what they promised to do? Don't just vote because somebody is a Democrat, Republican, independent, friend, relative, or simply a “Skinfolk.” Your vote is too valuable to be given away without expecting something in return for you and those you care about.

Second, AFTER THE ELECTION, CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE ACTIVITIES OF THE FOLKS YOU VOTED FOR! Find out when elected officials hold public meetings. Attend them. Read their newsletters and budget reports. Ask questions about how public money is being spent. If your elected official promised safer streets, better schools, affordable housing, or more services for seniors, ask what has been accomplished. Don't accept another elected official’s failed performance to receive your vote. You and those you love deserve a piece of the pie, not simply scraps.

Third, LEARN HOW TO ASK FOR ACCOUNTABILITY. Every elected official has a job description, whether voters know it or not. Learn what the job entails. Ask for measurable results. How many vacant properties have been addressed? How much money has been allocated to neighborhood improvements? What services have been provided to older adults? How many jobs have been created by approved contracts? What happens to unspent funds budgeted for your ward/district? These are just a few questions that apply to all legislative and executive officeholders: city, county, state and federal.

Organized voices, like a squeaking wheel, get attention. You become the “Drum Major” as suggested by our fallen, but not forgotten leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Yes, organize your neighbors, block clubs, churches, civic organizations, and community groups. One person asking a question may be ignored. One hundred people asking the same question are much harder to ignore. Request public records, submit questions in writing, and follow up when answers are not provided. Use the power of the press and social media to make public officials' records visible.

Finally, remember that accountability is not about whether we like an elected official. It is about whether that person is doing the job we elected them to do. Give credit when credit is deserved, but don't be afraid to speak up when promises are broken. And when the next election comes around, vote based on performance, not promises.

Now, let's get back to the title of this article: “Bringing Home the Bacon!”

We have spent generations voting. We have helped elect presidents, governors, senators, representatives, mayors, aldermen, and countless other public officials. But how much of that political investment has come back to our neighborhoods? Where is our bacon?

The bacon is better schools, safe neighborhoods, affordable housing, both private and public sources of income, accessible healthcare, dependable transportation, and services that allow our seniors to age with dignity. In short, “We the people…” are entitled to live a happier, healthier, more prosperous life too.

Our votes are not gifts to politicians. They are investments in our communities. And like any good investment, we have a responsibility to monitor and assess our return. So, like any investment, if it provides no return, cut your losses and find a source to get a better return.

The Bible reminds us in Luke 12:48 that “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required.” We have been given the power of the ballot. Now much is required of us.

Let's not allow the excitement of the “Blue Tsunami” to become another missed opportunity. Let's turn our unity into community organization, our organization into influence, and our influence into results, especially in our upcoming city election.

When we do our part at the polls. It's now time for us to understand how to oversee and demand those we have elected to do their part in bringing home the bacon for our votes!

THIS WEEK'S QUIZ: Look at your voter registration card, find your districts, identify the names of your elected officials, and research how well they have carried out their duties to make life better for the people they represent - especially you.  How did they do?

Answer to Last Week's Quiz: If you have intentions of making changes to your Medicare Coverage, remember that December 7, 2026 is the end of open enrollment.

 

For Questions or Help: 773-817-0601 basheriff1@gmail.com  Watch, like and subscribe to “Conversations With the Citizen”

Disclaimer: The illustrations and examples presented in this column are not, nor are they intended to be, legal, financial, tax, insurance, or other licensed professional advice. Readers should consult the licensed professional of their choice regarding their individual circumstances.

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