Dr. Chris Jones, physicist, nuclear engineer, urban planner, and pastor, has launched his campaign to become the next governor of Arkansas with a powerful ad. He is the second Black man to do so in over 100 years; the first was businessman Josiah Homer Blount, in 1920, and another Black Democratic candidate, Anthony Bland, is formally announcing his run on Wednesday.
The ad, titled “About Time,” not only showcases his vision for Arkansas’ future, it also introduces his three daughters and wife, Dr. Jerrilyn Jones: army veteran, ER doctor and the medical director of Arkansas’ Department of Health Preparedness.
Jones’ campaign website gives this brief, and impressive biography.
Take a look at his ad, which I’ve watched more than 10 times since I first saw it posted to Twitter, where it is rapidly garnering views and campaign contributions.
His use of time as a metaphor connecting his ancestors to the here and now, the pastoral stole in his hands marked with dates, the image of him lovingly braiding his daughter’s hair, and of the chaos of the Jan. 6 insurrection, along with his vision for uplifting Arkansan’s economic future, are all woven together in a seamless and powerful introduction.
YouTube Video
The state of the race in Arkansas right now is fluid—incumbent Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson is restricted by term limits from seeking a third term. The Republican in the race who has been endorsed by Donald Trump, and already has a sizable campaign war chest, is serial liar Sarah Huckabee Sanders, whose name was trending on Twitter yesterday, and still is today.
Political observers like syndicated columnist Steve Brawner point openly to the fact that Jones is Black, and opines that due to that fact, he has an enormous barrier in front of him.
I don’t disagree. Being Black in America is always an obstacle, and yes—race matters. However, I didn’t think I’d live to see a Black POTUS, or vice president either, or a Black senator elected from Georgia. We cannot give up the fight before even engaging in the battle.
Here’s what Jones had to say on Father’s Day.
Let’s do this!
The ad, titled “About Time,” not only showcases his vision for Arkansas’ future, it also introduces his three daughters and wife, Dr. Jerrilyn Jones: army veteran, ER doctor and the medical director of Arkansas’ Department of Health Preparedness.
Jones’ campaign website gives this brief, and impressive biography.
Take a look at his ad, which I’ve watched more than 10 times since I first saw it posted to Twitter, where it is rapidly garnering views and campaign contributions.
His use of time as a metaphor connecting his ancestors to the here and now, the pastoral stole in his hands marked with dates, the image of him lovingly braiding his daughter’s hair, and of the chaos of the Jan. 6 insurrection, along with his vision for uplifting Arkansan’s economic future, are all woven together in a seamless and powerful introduction.
YouTube Video
The state of the race in Arkansas right now is fluid—incumbent Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson is restricted by term limits from seeking a third term. The Republican in the race who has been endorsed by Donald Trump, and already has a sizable campaign war chest, is serial liar Sarah Huckabee Sanders, whose name was trending on Twitter yesterday, and still is today.
Political observers like syndicated columnist Steve Brawner point openly to the fact that Jones is Black, and opines that due to that fact, he has an enormous barrier in front of him.
I don’t disagree. Being Black in America is always an obstacle, and yes—race matters. However, I didn’t think I’d live to see a Black POTUS, or vice president either, or a Black senator elected from Georgia. We cannot give up the fight before even engaging in the battle.
Here’s what Jones had to say on Father’s Day.
Let’s do this!