Meet the candidate: Lashaya Darisaw, 49th District state representative

1.  What have been the most significant commitments and activities of your recent life experience, and in what ways do those activities suggest your potential contributions to the 49th district constituents?

My first and foremost commitment is to my thirteen-year-old daughter. It’s my duty as a single parent to instill the importance of community in her, and give her the tools to empower herself and her environment. Since she was four years old, we’ve volunteered our time together through a variety of social service agencies. When the Flint Water Crisis hit, she developed a fierce commitment to justice and ensuring that the voice of her generation was heard.

My job as the Flint organizer for Michigan United is a great source of pride to me. I love my job, and every day is an opportunity to fight for equality, equity, and justice. I am committed to improving the lives of everyday people, and demonstrating to my daughter and my community that together, our voices do create change. I haven’t waited for an elected position to make a substantial impact- it’s about being proactive, rather than reactive. Residents of the 49th District deserve a representative who has a history of standing up for their civil liberties and democracy.

2. How important do you feel your role in the Flint water crisis would be to you as the 49th District representative?  And on a related note, how do you think it will might matter to those living in the district outside the city of Flint?

When elected “representatives”  locked out citizens and refused to answer questions- or even acknowledge the existence of a crisis-  I was there, advocating for a community that they attempted to silence. The lack of democracy is straining the State of Michigan, and the broken system is failing its people, and denying working-class families access to their American Dream. The impact and advocacy that I had during the water crisis will continue to be seen if I am elected. People are tired of politics-as-usual, how  officials are benefiting only themselves and their immediate circles instead of representing their constituents. These issues bleed into every district, including my own.

3.  What would be your top three legislative priorities?

1. Government Transparency and Oversight

    We are a government for the people. My own office will commit to transparency, and demand it of others. Specifically, the FOIA laws in Michigan need to be updated so citizens can be informed of actions taken by their representative.

2. Infrastructure & Green Technology

    Michigan has a golden opportunity to lead the country in developing renewable energy. Getting to the forefront of this business surge would mean tens of thousands of jobs for Michiganders, and a brighter, healthier future for our children.

3. Healthcare as a Right

    America is lagging behind other countries’ social programs. Healthcare is a human right and should be treated as such. Many individuals end up in hospitals because they could not afford simple preventative care. Constituents deserve a healthcare system that is not profit-driven, and no person should die because of their inability to pay.

4.  How would you describe your anticipated “governing philosophy” and/or style?  How would you counter trends of extreme partisanship and vanishing decorum? How do your aims in this regard connect to the flourishing or salvaging of our democracy?

Politicians that are driven by community and positive change have no issues uniting people towards goals that matter. I know that everyday residents care about the wellbeing of others, and fear for their and their childrens’ futures. I spend every day talking to and organizing these people. When commonly-felt issues are at the front of a platform, that platform succeeds. I currently work on aiding  local democracies and engaging youth; spreading the message that their voices and lives matter. I will continue these policies and activities if elected.

5. What do you anticipate being the greatest likely challenges of this position, should you be elected?  

As a state representative, I precipitate a lot of pushback from other government officials who are not accustomed to challenging the status quo, but rather used to benefitting from it. However, we must work together for the benefit of our constituents, whose needs are dynamic and constantly changing. The residents of the 49th district deserve a representative who has earned their trust and respect.