PRESS RELEASE - Former Independence Party Chair Responds to Use of His Photo in State Legislator’s Campaign Literature

(August 11, 2015, Maplewood, MN) - State Representative JoAnn Ward recently mailed a postcard to roughly half of the households in her constituency. The postcard contained 2015 session highlights and Ward’s priorities for the future.  The postcard also contained pictures of the Representative with various unnamed constituents at community events. The postcard features (under Representative Ward’s name and title) a photo from the 2014 Maplewood Light It Up Independence Day celebration; this photo shows Representative Ward and Maplewood Mayor Nora Slawik posing with former Independence Party Chair and Maplewood resident Mark Jenkins and his wife. The use of the Jenkins’ photo was not approved by Mark or his wife.

Mark Jenkins has been approached by a number of residents who asked whether this photo indicated that he is endorsing Representative Ward for re-election next year. Mark Jenkins stated, “While I support Representative Ward’s work on behalf of the residents of Maplewood, Oakdale, Woodbury, and Landfall, I have not expressed support for any legislative candidate’s campaign at this time. “

Mark has spoken with Representative Ward about the photo and the Representative has agreed to discontinue its use. The two also discussed possible resolutions that would be generally positive for both of them, and agreed to issue this joint press release.

Representative Ward stated, “Mark and I have come to a cooperative resolution to this unfortunate oversight. We have always had a good working relationship, which laid the foundation for us to amicably resolve Mark’s concern. I appreciate that he brought this to my attention and value our courteous conversations.”

Mark Jenkins and Representative Ward encourage political candidates to get permission from any citizen in a posed photo before using it in any campaign material.

The Uneasy Rider Comments on an Uneasy Symbol

Charlie Daniels’ wrote a commentary on the Confederate battle flag. I agree with the "Uneasy Rider" on this issue. A piece of cloth did not motivate or cause the brutal murders in Charleston. The fact is that different people see the Confederate battle flag from different points of view. It is unfortunate that some groups have co-opted this banner as a symbol of their hate.

Unfortunately, this is not a new situation for residents of our world. In the 1930’s a hate group in Germany co-opted a 5,000 year old symbol for peace as a symbol for their hatred and racism. To this day, Europe is still conflicted over the use of the swastika as a symbol of Nazi aggression versus the swastika as a symbol of religious peace and tranquility. Here, in the States, we continue to experience those conflicted feelings over the Confederate battle flag. The symbol of some southern soldiers was not equated with slavery after the war. It was equated with a rebel spirit that united the south. It was not until the 1950s that the battle flag became a symbol of racism when it was used by hate groups and politicians to “rebel” against racial justice. Yet in the 70s, the Dukes of Hazzard was still popular throughout the country despite the prominent display of the battle flag on the top of a car named for the south’s favorite military hero.

Today we are faced with a conflict between intent and perception. While many may have a sincerely non-racist and peaceful intent with their respect for the Confederate battle flag, most Americans perceive it as a symbol of racial intolerance and white supremacy. Perceptions are not always right, but we must respect them, just as others should not assume a hateful intent by those who respect the Confederate battle flag.

I do not label all South Carolinians as racists because of the banner flying on their capitol grounds and I will not shy away from reruns of the Duke boys raising cain in Hazzard county. That being said, I know of many other ways to promote peace and tranquility without the need of a swastika and I don’t need a rebel flag to continue to rebel against injustice in this country, and in its politics.