Page 8 The Skanner December 7, 2016
News
Eboni K. Williams: The ‘2016 Presidential Election’ Interview
By Kam Williams
For The Skanner News
E
boni K. Williams is a popular po-
litical and legal commentator you
can catch on numerous FOX News
Channel programs like Hannity,
The O’Reilly Factor and The Kelly File.
She also frequently serves as a co-host
on Outnumbered and The Five. Prior
to joining FOX, she worked as a corre-
spondent at CBS News, as a contributor
at the HLN network, and as a talk show
host in L.A. on radio station KFI (640 on
the AM dial).
Raised by a single-mom, Eboni re-
ceived a B.A. in Communications and
African-American Studies from the
University of North Carolina at Chapel
Hill, and her J.D. from Loyola Universi-
ty College of Law in New Orleans. She
began her professional career in Lou-
isiana, clerking for the Secretary of
State and the Attorney General’s Office
as a law student. She worked for vari-
ous politicians, too, including assisting
City Council members in the New Or-
leans rebuilding effort in the wake of
Hurricane Katrina. .
Eboni subsequently specialized in
Family Law and Civil Litigation, pro-
viding legal counsel on high-profile
divorce, spousal support and child cus-
tody cases. In 2008, she transitioned to
Public Defender before returning to
private practice in 2010.
Here, she shares her thoughts about
the election of Donald Trump.
not have seen the likeliness of Trump’s
success as far back as the primaries,
her being such an avid Trump support-
er from the start did help me keep my
finger on the pulse. What many people
felt was most important to them was
change in Washington.
Obama supporter. In this election, I
wrote in a candidate. I rejected both of
the major party candidates, and I wasn’t
impressed by any of the third party can-
didates. I’ve been very clear about the
fact that my politics don’t follow party
lines. they follow policy. I’m a lawyer by
trade, and I’m particularly concerned
about policies that make life better for
communities I feel are underrepre-
sented... whether that’s communities of
color... women... or young people. But
I’m really concerned about all people,
because we’re all Americans, and I want
opportunity for all of us. “Opportunity”
is the key word. I think the Democrat-
ic Party really got it wrong when they
started describing their economic poli-
cy in terms of “income inequality.” Well,
in my playbook, income should reflect
work effort, which is not always equal.
KW: Tell me a little about your mom.
EW: She’s a small business owner
and the only parent that raised me.
Everything I am I owe to her. She’s a
brilliant businesswoman, not formal-
ly educated. But she has incredible in-
Eboni K. Williams
stincts when it comes to business and
leadership. She gives me counsel all
states with industrial populations like the time in my career and other deal-
Indiana, Pennsylvania and Michigan. ings. And look, she called the election.
So, I saw the potential for a Trump vic- She said, “You know what? He’s imper-
tory, but as the campaign went on, I felt fect... He brags... He’s even rude... I’m
that he was his own worst enemy. Even totally appalled by some of the things
back during the primary season, I said he says about brown and black people
the only person who can beat Donald and by the way he describes our com-
Read the rest of this interview at
Trump is Donald Trump. Though he munity. However, I really like and ap-
TheSkanner.com
prevailed in the primaries, I thought preciate his toughness,
he’d done enough damage to himself his authenticity, his
to take himself out of the game. But, authenticity and his
on that point, I was wrong. He had a lot leadership qualities.”
cont’d from pg 7
of different messages, but I would say She likes his prosper-
the one that registered with most vot- ity and that he was
cludes
professional actress noted: “Anyone
ers I spoke to was “Drain the swamp!” unapologetic
about
actors and musicians can relate to “Most Done
It was a forceful call for change and finding ways to escape
alongside members of Travelling. Who hasn’t
indictment of everything that’s been paying personal and
the ministry and local been on the road and
going on in Washington for several corporate income tax-
gospel choirs, is every bit weary and holding on to
decades now. America’s just sick and es. And clearly, a lot of
as enthusiastic. As they the fact that we’re almost
tired of the gridlock in Congress and other Americans felt
approach holiday favor- home? This is universal.
of the inaction at every level of govern- the same way.
ites like “Come All Ye We’re all connected.”
ment. People found Trump’s message
Tracy Jenkins, a gospel
Faithful,” gospel classics
of change to be such a complete anti-
KW: How would you
like “Hold on Just a Little singer since three, who
KW: I have to start by asking what dote to that and so compelling that they describe yourself po-
While Longer” and folk was new to theatre be-
was your immediate reaction to the wrote this man a blank check. Think of litically? Most African
spirituals like “Go Tell It fore last year’s produc-
all the things he could do and not lose American commenta-
election results?
on the Mountain,” their tion of Black Nativity,
EW: [Chuckles] Well, like most Amer- their support. Whether it was the Ac- tors on Fox are either
joy and mutual respect is stresses the importance
icans, including Trump supporters cess Hollywood tape or statements he way to the left or way
of community: “We need
palpable.
and probably Donald Trump himself, made about communities of color or to the right, but with
Elliott Young, former- to come together, all as
I was surprised. I was surprised be- what not, people ultimately chose to you, it’s hard to dis-
ly of the famous singing one,” Jenkins said. And
cause the data leading up to the elec- overlook it, because they so believed in cern where you stand.
group, the Coasters, has Minister and musician
EW: I am a proud,
tion didn’t show a lot of ways that this his ability to be a change agent.
toured the world singing Quante Cole sums it up
registered
indepen-
could happen. But a year ago, even
and performing. Guided perfectly. “We lift our
KW: I heard you say the other day that dent. I have voted for
six months ago, I did see the potential
by his older sister in a voices in song and sing
candidates from both
for this outcome. In fact, I bet a law- your own mother voted for Trump.
gospel duet, Elliott per- ‘Hold on Just a Little
EW: My mother has been on the the Democratic and
yer friend of mine a steak dinner that
formed his first trumpet While Longer,’ and we
Trump would win, specifically, by Trump train since day one. And even Republican Parties. I
solo at age seven. Young apply it to our current
changing the electoral map in Rust Belt though I, like many in the media, might was a two-time Barack
says that “gospel sing- situation,” Cole says. “We
ers are real singers with find peace on the inside
pure voices” and that and portray what we
“everyone who aspires to want to see and be in the
sing should to go church world. Families should
and listen.” For this sea- come from all back-
son, especially, Young grounds. Let’s bridge the
says that coming to the gap!”
play is an opportunity
Black Nativity is spon-
to take our minds off sored by The Collins
current events. “This is Foundation and Ronni
a perfect setting to inter- LaCroute.
PassinArt: A Theatre
act, put a smile on your
face and look into your Company is an African
producing
heart. You’ll carry that American
spirit away with you,” he theatre company whose
mission is to entertain,
says.
At the recent rehearsal, educate, and inspire art-
Shelley B. Shelley, a pro- ists and audiences while
fessional actress, who addressing critical issues
It is our primary goal as a labor union to better the lives of all people working in
shares the Narrator role facing our community;
the building trades through advocacy, civil demonstration, and the long-held belief
with Pastor Black for this and to celebrate our histo-
that workers deserve a “family wage” - fair pay for an honest day’s work.
year’s performance, de- ry and culture.
A family wage, and the benefits that go with it, not only strengthens families, but also
scribed the musical mir-
allows our communities to become stronger, more cohesive, and more responsive
acle of this production.
What: “Black Nativity”
to their citizens’ needs.
“There’s no sheet music; by Langston Hughes – A
it’s all by ear,” she said. Joyful Noise!
Our family wage agenda reflects our commitment to people working in the building trades, and
“The musical director
to workers everywhere. In this small way, we are doing our part to help people achieve the American Dream.
Where: Greater St.
listens to the score, gives Stephens
This dream that workers can hold dear regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, creed, or religious beliefs.
Missionary
the singers the chords, Baptist Church, 3605 NE
the singers have words Mallory Ave., Portland
Do you want to know more about
in front of them, and out
When: December 2
becoming a Union carpenter?
comes perfection.” Shel-
through
December 18,
ley also loves the cultural
Go to
Representing more than 5,000 construction workers in Oregon State.
2016
(Fridays
and Satur-
retelling of the Nativity
www.NWCarpenters.org
days,
7:30
pm;
and Sun-
Story while stressing
days-3:00 pm)
the
universality
of
the
PORTLAND: 1636 East Burnside, Portland, OR 97214 | 503.261.1862 | 800.974.9052
gospel classics. With a
Tickets available at
HEADQUARTERS: 25120 Pacific Hwy S, Ste 200, Kent, WA 98032 | 253.954.8800 | 800.573.8333
big smile on her face, the www.passinart.net
We honor the many accomplishments
of African Americans.
Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters
Black Nativity