Photo via: Youtube Screenshot
If we had to use five words to describe Mariah Parker’s swearing in ceremony as Athens-Clarke County, Georgia’s new county commissioner for District 2, it would be: All Power to the People.
The 26-year-old hip hop artist and University of Georgia doctoral candidate, who won the seat by just 13 votes, decided to take the oath of office on Alex Haley’s “The Autobiography of Malcolm X.” With the book being held by her mother, Parker proudly raised her fist in the air as Probate Judge Susan Tate swore her into office.
Both the bible and Constitution was offered to Parker, but she said she wanted “Malcolm’s book,” which is one of most important books of the twentieth century.
Congratulations to 26 year-old Mariah Parker who took her oath of office as Athens-Clarke County commissioner with her Mother holding the Autobiography of Malcolm X. A loud and respectable statement. #MalcolmX #MariahParker #GenerationYes #MoveForward #BlackExcellence pic.twitter.com/HQV7axpSpX
advertisement— ILYASAH SHABAZZ (@ilyasahShabazz) June 7, 2018
As stated on her campaign website, Parker ran for office because she believes “it’s time for bold, progressive leadership in Athens. It’s time for Progress for the People.”
The rest of her statement says: “As your neighbor here in District 2, I have worked as a civil rights activist and community organizer to improve the lives of working people throughout Athens. As Commissioner, I will listen to you, work for you, and fight for local policies that will strengthen our neighborhoods and protect our working families. It’s time for a new vision for Athens, one where we finally address the poverty and discrimination that hold our community back. When this movement wins, we all win a seat at the table. Together, we can change Athens and District 2.”
As a progressive candidate, Parker’s running platform included: economic justice, affordable housing, fair wage jobs, youth development, reducing poverty and discrimination, and criminal justice and marijuana reform.
Parker hopes to carry the revolutionary spirit of Malcolm X with her into her new role as county commissioner, telling the Atlanta Journal Constitution: “Malcolm’s willingness to uneditedly speak about Black people at large, are qualities that I want to embody. To speak out when I see things going wrong.”
Brother Malcolm would be proud. Congratulations, Mariah!