I have dedicated a portion of my legacy to the field of education and public service. I have been teaching for over fifteen years in our nation’s schools from coast to coast. Additionally, I am the founder and chief executive officer of a national education consulting firm, Q. Hathaway And Associates, LLC.

These experiences have shaped my framework and educational philosophy. Education creates a citizenry that can contribute and compete in the global society. Historically, education has been the gateway to pull individuals up from poor socioeconomic backgrounds. Education breaks down the walls of bigotry, racism, ableism, and xenophobia through the process of teaching and learning. Education has the ability to promote social action and deter crime and violence. Education has the potential to give the basis for self-sufficiency, and cause people to be more cosmopolitan.

I see daily the capacity and infinite possibilities associated with education. It is experienced by the hope in our students’ eyes and the power of promise they hold. It is experienced  by educators and administrators who are mentors, role models, parents to the parentless, coaches, motivational speakers, change agents, curriculum specialists and pioneers, nation builders, lifelong learners, data analysts, representatives of morality, researchers, students, and public servants. It is experienced by educational support staff who ensure students learn in a safe environment and improve the school climate. 

My heart aches for the students and families affected by the violence we are experiencing as a country. I shed several tears the past few days as the story unfolded about the senseless murders at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. The nation was robbed of nineteen (19) children and two (2) educators lives and now they are gone from this side of time in one of the most heinous ways possible.

Furthermore, the recent massacres at Tops Supermarket in Buffalo, New York and Geneva Presbyterian Church in Laguna Woods, Orange County, California demonstrate that we are living in a less shiny moment in American history. We are in a struggle for human dignity. We are greatly distorted by race and class in this country.

America is hurting itself by not addressing gun violence. Republicans are crippling the country and obstructing progress regarding gun law reform. The unspoken disquietude is that Republicans have differing ideologies about this matter but must stick to one ideological script. Additionally, they have diverse interest and varying aspirations which prevent them from being on the right side of the issue. They are not fighting for pro-life values and human decency. They are fighting for campaign financing and the thought of a Second Civil War.

Every time there is a mass shooting, we are quickened and caught by the attention of the world. Paraphrasing the words of Elie Mystal in Allow Me to Retort: A Black Man’s Guide to the Constitution, Republicans are willing to suffer the ongoing national tragedy of mass shootings, they are willing to ignore the epidemics of suicides and violence against women, they are willing to sacrifice the lives of schoolchildren, all so they might feel a little less afraid when something goes bump in the night. Mystal stated that Republicans must shake loose from the thrall of the National Rifle Association (NRA). This organization contributes significantly to Republicans and their campaign treasuries. Our incumbent opposition is among the recipients. 

The Arkansas Congressional Delegation and Republicans in general lack moral courage to vote for the Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act of 2022. They will not cooperate, and this should cause each of us distress. The Democratic Party’s bill is moderate, reasonable, and realistic and most Americans agree. The Republicans are more focused on restraining the Democrats from proclaiming a victory (which is on the side of humanity) than standing up to the gun lobby. The Grand Old Party lacks intestinal fortitude and morality to cut off this chain of hate or address rampant gun violence.

The Republicans are pro-gun but anti-voting rights. We are for gun law reform and expanding voting rights, education, and mobilization. The Republicans are pro-fetus but anti-women's rights. We are for all aspects of human life, from womb to tomb. The woman is to be cherished and protected and not disrespected. 

We are living in a moment of great sociopolitical and economic unrest. Yet the wind is rising, and rivers are flowing is the direction of change. America is experiencing an explosive, powerful, and social transformation. Today, we must lift the consciousness of all people.

We must storm bastions of hatred in our society. We must lay siege to the fortress of fear. We are in a battle for the soul of our nation. Our hearts are scarred, and it is shown through our insecurities, fears, and tensions. When we do nothing, we become the symbols of bloodshed.

This moment calls on all of us to teach tolerance, to bring about an effort of understanding, and to lead with compassion. This moment calls on all of us to project the ethics of love and make it the center of our lives. This moment calls on all of us to restore communities, resist injustices, and meet the needs of our brothers and sisters of every race, creed, color, nationality, gender and sex, and faith.  This moment calls on all of us to reshape our relationships with one another and usher in a breakthrough to a new level of social reform and profound structural institutional change.

When we change leadership, we will sponsor and co-sponsor legislation that takes the issue of gun law reform Onward, Forward, Upward, and Outward.

*Support Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act of 2022

*Codify legislation on a comprehensive plan to identify and combat domestic and international terrorism and extremism

*Utilize preventative measures to address civil, political, social, cultural, and economic unrest in the United States and abroad

Firearms

-Eliminate the manufacturing, selling, and distribution of large-capacity magazines

-We must crack down on illegal gun trafficking

-Repeal the Dickey Amendment and allow comprehensive research on gun violence and prevention

Commission And Collaboration

-Mandate a commission to conduct a longitudinal study on the impact of gun violence on black, indigenous and other minority, and poor communities; as well as follow their recommendations

-Collaborate with federal agencies to combat domestic and foreign terrorism
 

Schools, Individuals, And Families

-Instill school and district-based conflict resolution program

-Execute and expand funding for programs which offer wraparound and comprehensive services for individuals and families that are victims of violence, trauma, and sexual exploitation

-Holistically, implement a victim advocacy, harassment, assault and trauma prevention program

Peace Movement

-Implement and promote a regional, national, and global peace movement

-Employ the criminal justice system at the local, state, national, and international levels to convict human rights violators (i.e., individuals, nations, regions, and etc.)

Notes:

1. If elected, Dr. Quintessa Hathaway will break a glass ceiling for the state of Arkansas as among the first persons of color and first African American woman to ever win a U.S. House of Representatives seat from the state.

2. This piece was influenced by the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in is books, Why We Can't Wait; as well as Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community?