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Clyde Vanel Interview: The Times, and Education
When we wanted to interview a leader 4 weeks ago named, Clyde Vanel, it wasn’t because legions of people were owning the streets of NYC, nor, demanding the reallocation of funds towards restorative programs and alternative solutions, in fact, NYC was as quiet and desolate as disney world during Covid-19. Now, however, that the floodgates have been opened for greater discussions regarding reform, revolution, and the greater systems at large, leaders like Vanel are vital.
An attorney, entrepreneur, private pilot and community advocate from Cambria Heights, New York, Vanel, previously served as the Chief of Staff for New York State Senator James Sanders Jr, and before that was a young black student, who he now focuses on in planning a greater future, with the long game in mind, amidst all the noise.
What is your role as an assemblyman?
My role as a representative from the community to the state is to coordinate creation of laws, and represent the people of my community in the making of such laws.
With so much talk about reform, and reallocating funds in these times, what is your perspective on today’s focus on policing?
In this country, we are founded on principles, one of those being founded on taxation representation. if we tax you, you need a voice, and not only do you need a voice, it is your right to have your voice heard.
Bottom line, when you get a pay check, or, if they tax you you have say where money is spent – you also have a say who represents you which is why im in position – i’m the direct representation of our tax payers using their voices.
two things are promised – you are going to die, and your going to pay your taxes. We should promise our people voices, as well.
In times like these, what do you feel is the role of activists pursuing legislation changes?
They have the ability to determine who represents you, and you have the ability to go to them when you want to change them or what you want.
Any form of making your voice very important to get your voice heard – it doesnt matter whos in the white house or state assembly – you have the power – with the black lives matter movement, it doesnt matter whos in the white house – ppl can see they have the ability to change things when folks get to step up
the problem is it shouldnt have to take people dying for us to engage.
Why do you think people dont vote, or, aggressively pursue advocacy throughout peace times?
People feel that they don’t have the power, and they feel powerless, and what happens is…. that its not true, and weve already had this problem in history to unify and organize to get together, people in power is very important we may not have a billion dollars, but when people unite and stand together thats a big deal. alot of young folks now are proactively becoming leaders, organizing, inspiring, talking about voting, and theyre marching and protesting, though how many on those streets are going to show up at the polls? Thats what matters. If you want change, it has to be in the streets, in the polls, in city hall, at the state, and so on, at the same time. We have an election Tuesday, a primary – if young people want to properly channel their grievances, and channel their frustrations into demands, your vote, is your first and foremost demand – apply it, the same way activists are applying pressure.
Whats amazing is – we have the power – we just dont use the power. we have to take ownership. it begins with agency.
So when voters use their voices, and apply their power at NYC polls, Tuesday, – what issues are you primarily focusing on in order to uplift your district, and state?
We have to take ownership.
number 1 – job and economic opportunity
atleast 30 percent of the jobs are going to be gone, we have to make sure folks start jobs and businesses. We are working extensively on ensuring that we are prepared, and preparing our community to be in a position to pay their rent, buy food and thrive. This means investing in financial literacy programs, and mentorship programs for entrepreneurialism.
number 2 – health
whats going on with covid and how it effected POC – we have the health resources education the testing to make sure that this doesnt effect us adversely as it did – we have to invest and be prepared in services that can protect our people.
3 education
distance learning is going to be the standard, our department of education have their material and equipment – we got tablets late, whys that?
Not only that, ok, some people dont even have wifi in their houses… we have to make sure the tablet comes with a connection to pay the internet bill so we have to fight to make sure of that.
were already behind when schools opening we dont want to get fall way behind in the bigger picture.
What does that look like?
I sponsor a program in my district where we train middle school and highschool students on financial literacy and business classes…. we have that, but not enough…Shoot – we need that in college! They don’t teach you to be a entrepreneur – our system of education is built to, and i shouldn’t be saying this – our system of education as it stands has historically trained its students to be a good worker – our education is to be a sheep training you to work with with someone – it doesn’t train you to be a business person – which is where true independence is found. Think about it, you could go to Harvard and they don’t train you in that, whatever college whatever degrees they teach you to work for someone else, so the whole education system, is setup for an old model – we represent the new model.
Do you think everyone can be a business owner?
Most people are not going to be the boss, lifes not setup that way, most people are going to work for somebody, but, and this is a big, but – you could have a boss, and, have a legal financial instrument, like third party outsourcing services – we have to be able train people to do everything.
….we have to re-imagine our education system and prepare for tomorrow. I serve as a chair for a tech company – and – with internet – we should’ve been doing the distance learning part of ed a long time ago, we were forced to do it, as is the case for the current times. Change sometimes happens naturally, and, other times, by force – nature and nurture, thats for everything, thats life, sometimes you do things you were supposed to and and sometimes you were forced to
What does the future look like, for a more prepared, experienced, community?
I dont ever think we could ever go back to how things were before, even with a vaccine – how could we not use the tools of distance learning?
Regarding the current times – the kids on the ground – them seeing demonstrations was a blessing… they feel like they could do something – the feeling of helplessness is not a good feeling – its a powerful thing they can make a difference…though demonstrating is the beginning, its not the end.
For demonstrators, what steps follow demonstrating in the streets?
Getting the word out – attention to what you care about – then getting policy makers, like myself – getting my attention, trumps attention, city council attention, etc.
because some questions to consider – are you going to vote, do you know who your representative is….because, then you can introduce your demands
You know? are you making demands, do you know the mayor? Remember, the police work for you. Do you know the commander, the head of the precinct, do you know that person? do you sit down and talk to that person? do we understand it on that level. do you tell your local police person we can get rid of you, and i want to get a report on your officers. youve got the power, i work for you, they work for you.
whether they listen or not.
Expand please..
The reason why we live in a civilized society is, because there are different rules – theres unwritten and written agreements, you agree not to kill me, when you buy a car, and i give you that paper, you agree that its yours, that paper doesnt mean nothing, the truth is we accept that paper and what it says – so underlying that, is that trust.
When you dont have that trust, then you dont really have a government, if ppl dont trust their police and policy then we cant govern. and you cant get governed. and in the its bad for the system – bad for all of us. So we have to be in a situation where we do right, its a two way thing. if you have kids, or if youre a son, you dont wild out on your friend,
– these agreements these relationshiops are the corner stones of community, and a loving environment.
Trust is the binding glue of society, without it – its anarchy, for your family, for any group after that trust is shattered.
So what are your thoughts on defunding police departments, and reallocating funds to education, and alternative services?
When people say defund, does that mean get rid of the whole thing, change culture, what happens is we gotta understand this – i want young people brown and black people to become cops, to become not just cops, but also be the police chief, to be the captain, we need police, good police.
you get to a car accident, you want them to show up, you want them to show up for you. Someone like rayshar d brooks, for example – cops are used to escalate, rather than deescalate,it should not be something he died for. you shouldnt have to die, for change to come.
Clyde, thank you for the opportunity. Good luck at the polls on Tuesday.
My pleasure.
Find Clyde Vanel online Here