Dinger’s candidacy for Tyler’s District 2 City Council seat threatens to unravel decades of progress toward racial equity and democratic integrity within a district specifically designed to empower the Black community. This not only risks a return to imbalances that the district was created to eliminate but also sets a troubling precedent that could fundamentally alter the political landscape, with significant repercussions for democratic governance and social equity.

As we commemorate July 4th, let us not gloss over the inconvenient truths that mar America's past and present. To truly honor the principles of freedom and justice, we must confront the hypocrisy that has stained our nation's history. It calls for honest dialogue, education, and a commitment to dismantling systemic injustices. July 4th can catalyze reflection, growth, and a collective effort to create a more inclusive and just society. Will we let it be a catalyst for a better America, or will we succumb to pressure to deny the truth to support our fabled origin stories?