If you want to win, you have to play the game that’s on the board. You cannot win a chess match playing backgammon.
Case in point is this week’s referendum on redistricting in Virginia. Citizens of Virginia and elected leaders of both parties worked diligently to end gerrymandering in our state and create fair districts. It was disruptive, some great leaders ended up in the same district, others barely in a new district of voters who they hadn’t represented before and needed to get to know. It required lots of change to make things fair.
Then last year the president started suggesting that states redo their districting to help his party in the midterm elections next year. And a number of states did. Then, a couple of states of the other party did. So, what was Virginia to do?
Leaders proposed a one-time partisan redistricting plan to counterbalance the states they had already done so. And voters had to decide. Do they do what a year ago they thought was right or do they play the game that’s on the board? While it’s still in court, the voters spoke. They played the game that was on the board and adopted the partisan plan.
The leadership question here is not about partisanship but how you balance what is right in theory with the needs of those you serve?
For me, I was not willing to risk the needs of those I serve for the sake of theoretical correctness. My sense of justice and fairness is important to me, but not at the risk of the well-being of those I work to support. This is still in court and likely won’t be final for a little bit, but it is instructive. I’m not sure there is a consistently correct answer, but I think approaching it with intention is required.
Do good and be well this week,
Julie
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