The greening of a political candidate

By Naomi Lede Item Columnist

HUNTSVILLE — Reflections on the “Greening of America” are rooted in societal change and the human condition. The term “green” has been the subject of several films books, and songs for many years.

In 1941 John Ford directed the film, “How Green was my Valley.”  It was nominated for 10 Academy Awards. Claude “Curly” Putnam Jr. wrote “Green, Green Grass at Home” which was made popular by Porter Wagoner in 1964 and recorded later by Tom ones in 1966.   Four years later, in 1970, the New Yorker published a review of Charles A. Reich’s The Greening of America.” These poetic and lyrical expressions depicted life’s challenges, triumphs and predictions. The election of Alvin Greene in the primary election is a challenge to the Democratic Party.

Manning, S.C., the seat of Clarendon County, has an estimated population of 3,943. It decreased during the last decade. Like the area in the film, “How Green Was my Valley,” Manning, S.C., where Greene spends most of his time, is about 50 miles southeast of Columbia.

The journey to the small town involves a drive deep into rural South Carolina. The road leading to his home is straight and lined with green grass, firs and pines, and continues for miles with only an occasional Jehovah’s Witnesses church to break the monotony,” wrote writer Ed Pilkington (7-6-2010). He works out of his home, and lives on the place with his father and brother, James Greene Jr. The almost unknown, unemployed former soldier offers little explanation for how he won the Democratic primary. He offers no plausible explanation for winning with 59 percent or how he managed to pay the $10,440 filing fee with a hand-written, hand-delivered check to party headquarters. Greene explained that he saved his military pay for two years. His opponent spent an estimated $186,000.

 When questioned about his finances, he said “I saved it – and he may be telling the truth. Is it fair to ask him and not his opponent about his filing fee? Could it be that since his brother has a small collection of vintage cars, car sales could be the source? He said, “I saved my military pay for two years.”

The primary victory of Alvin Greene sent a political shock wave throughout South Carolina and the nation. Greene – not a member of the Green Party but a candidate that ran on the Democratic ticket in South Carolina – won.

Greene, described as earning the nickname “turtle” in high school because his teacher described him as introverted, quietly navigated his way to victory with minimum resources, little fanfare, and almost invisible support from the rank and file. His campaign reminded me of a slogan I saw on a recycling bag in a store recently: “Be as green as you can be.”

More than a month has passed since the 32-year-old unemployed military veteran “turned South Carolina’s political scene upside down with his nomination for a U.S. Senate seat. Unless disqualified, he will face Republican Senator Jim DeMint in the next election with limited funding. He appears to be optimistic. The central issue of the campaign appears to border on job creation. Since he is currently unemployed, his concern about employment/job creation is understandable. The public needs to know greater details about his strategies for reducing unemployment, however. He may outline his ideas when he presents his platform to the public.



Center of the Storm

Who is Alvin Greene, the young man at the center of the political storm that took South Carolina by surprise? An examination of his background may serve to calm the political waters. Or, will it?

Greene was born in Florence, S.C. His father, James Greene Sr., is a retired teacher from the Clemson Extension Program and was once a barber, nightclub owner and a prominent member of the community. He indicated that “he wanted blacks to play a bigger role in politics and entertainment” and became an outspoken activist for Democratic politics. A former member of his high school tennis team at Manning High School, Alvin Greene’s mother died of cancer when he was a boy; his brother died of cystic fibrosis.

Despite these personal tragedies, he received a degree in political science from the University of South Carolina. He reportedly received the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Air Force Good Conduct Medal, the Korea Defense Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. Despite the fact that spent 13 years in the military – the U. S. Army and the U. S. Air Force before receiving an involuntary discharge in 2009 – his background sketch listed the awards. His biography in Wikipedia (2010) indicates that he served as an intelligence specialist in the U. S. Army and also served in the U. S. National Guard. He indicated that while in Korea in 2008 the idea came to him. “I just saw the country was in bad shape two years ago ... the country was declining. I want to make sure we continue to go up on the right track ...”

Though his victory has baffled many, several explanations have been offered, including “that the surname “Greene” is common among African Americans.” That is a shallow explanation.  What about the Green Party or the Tea Party organizations? They advocate getting rid of “Washington politicians-insiders” and replacing them with non-politicians. Could it be that he holds the cards?

Greene is the first African-American to be nominated for the U.S. Senate by a majority in South Carolina. He is one of three black Senate candidates from Southern states in the 2010 elections. Rep. Kendrick Meek of Florida and Georgia Commissioner of Labor Mike Thurmond are seeking the Democratic nominations in their states.  Six African Americans have served in the U. S. Senate, but none from the South since Reconstruction. Will Alvin Greene break the cycle?

    

Naomi W. Ledé is a retired Senior Research Scientist, Distinguished Professor, and University Administrator.  She serves as Chair, Board of the Samuel Walker Houston Museum and Cultural Center in Huntsville.

 

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