A Real Second Chance

Jeff Johnson's endorsement in the Ward 8 City Council race by Cleveland's only daily newspaper is of profound historical significance. Few, if any, American newspapers have taken so bold a step, and this endorsement speaks to a changing national mindset in regards to how individuals that have a blemish on their record are viewed. This is a wise move in the right direction, and in line with the Second Chance Act passed in 2007 under President Bush.

As a society, we have been shooting ourselves in the foot – actually, in the wallet is more like it – by attempting to forever keep someone who has run afoul of the law locked out in terms of becoming tax-producing citizens once again. There are those among us who would rather pay thought the nose to keep people like Johnson on the financial sidelines forever. Indeed, when Johnson (who is a personal friend of mine) was given an opportunity to work at City Hall after his release from prison back in 2002, howls of outrage were raised by the mean-spirited and small-minded in our region … a demographic we certainly have no shortage of; these are the same folks that keep our region from progressing.

However, by the newspaper acknowledging Johnson's skills as a public servant and his ability to offer something constructive to the political discourse, it is allowing the former state senator to be judged on his current merits instead of solely on his blemished past. One can only surmise that if he wins this upcoming contest and preforms well in office, the endorsement he just garnered will be replicated in future contests … for higher offices if Johnson decides to reach in that direction. Or, put another way, it would not do a turnabout and withhold an endorsement based solely on the basis of a decade-old conviction … would it?

The hope, of course, is that this endorsement is a bellwether move, the first step in a long journey towards fairness in terms of how formerly incarcerated persons are treated in this country. The record is always there, as it should be. And in the age of the Internet even expunging a record is not going to make it go away – but it should no longer be the main, or even the determining, factor when society looks at an individual and decides weather or not to allow them back into the game of life. Godspeed, Jeff.