Politicians have the ability to directly impact the future of their communities, and with that power comes the responsibility to make decisions that will benefit the communities they serve. In order to uphold that duty, politicians often ask for community input. But what happens when they don’t?
Marginalized communities are often the ones who suffer the most when policy decisions are made without community input. Marginalization refers to the process “through which particular social groups obtain lower status and become peripheral in a society,” according to Fulong Wu and Chris Webster in their book titled “Introduction: China’s Urban Marginalization in Comparative Perspectives.” Non-medical factors influencing health outcomes are called social determinants of health or SDOH. SDOH examples can include poverty, limited access to healthcare, racism, and access to education. Two current candidates in Utah are working to give a voice to those communities and alleviate those SDOH factors. Sophia Hawes-Tingey, running for West Valley City Council; and Michael Valentine, running for mayor of Salt Lake City, share their campaigns and how they intend to change Salt Lake Valley for the better.
Michael Valentine is an independent candidate who affectionately uses the label of Humanist to describe his political affiliation. His focus includes cleaner air, actual affordable housing, permanently eradicating homelessness, making schools safer, restoring historic Utah, and establishing a universal basic income. Valentine commented on wanting to help his community in the upper east side of Salt Lake City by establishing safer bike lanes. “We’ll start with focusing on our most vulnerable people and work our way up, but we’ll get to everyone’s concerns the best we can.” He emphasizes the importance of uniting people from all backgrounds and removing political parties from conversations regarding issues within the community. “Everybody has a seat at the table. You can come in and have an open-door policy with me. I love connecting with everyone from different backgrounds. I’m willing to help people and I actually care what’s going on in their life.”
Sophia Hawes-Tingey is a Navy Veteran and a Democratic candidate running for West Valley City’s city council. A fierce advocate for human rights and civil liberties, Tingey advocates for the environment, affordable housing, and a better focus on mental health. Tingey has actively served in multiple organizations dedicated to establishing equal rights and equal access. These organizations include the Transgender Education Advocates of Utah, the Transgender Inclusion Project, the Stonewall Dems, and the ACLU of Utah. “I also have had an active role for over half a decade with the Women’s State Legislative Council of Utah. In my role as Board President at South Valley Unitarian Universalist Association, I have teamed with the minister and board to explore what it means to be anti-racist on a deep and spiritual level, and we are in the process of expanding that exploration to the congregation at large,” she explains on her website. Both Tingey and Valentine advocate for more efficient bus routes, hoping to eventually get enough drivers so that buses can run often enough to keep up with citizens’ needs.
From school closings that disrupt education to housing discrimination that shuts out access to safe and affordable homes, marginalized communities are disproportionately impacted by the decisions of those in power. Even well-off communities can benefit from allowing candidates with diverse perspectives and experiences to be at the decision-making table. With added public transportation, more affordable housing, a focus on mental health and community, and an ally in the city governments, the citizens of Salt Lake Valley will finally have their voices heard.
