Hillary-lujah! Seventh Day Adventists & the 2016 Election

“Why do you personally support Hillary Clinton?” When asked this question, Pastor Fitzroy Jackson lights up and speaks with confidence s he describes why Hillary Clinton, in his opinion, is going to win the 2016 presidential election. Jackson, a pastor of a Seventh-Day Adventist Church, has been a long-time supporter of Clinton and firmly believes that now is her time. The Seventh Day Adventist Church is a church that contains many minority groups, including a black population. The New Brighton Seventh Day Adventist Church, the church that Jackson pastors, is composed of many Blacks and Latinos, and offers English as a Second Language classes to the surrounding community—church member or not. The church is organized in a democratic fashion, and members vote in choosing church officers. Because of this, members can ensure that their best interests are acted upon, and the church does not act selfishly. The Seventh-Day Adventist Church does not openly endorse any political candidates, as it supports the separation of church and state. Pastor Jackson, however, strongly supports Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election. He states that although the church does not officially endorse her in this year’s election, she and the church share many values, including the importance of supporting minority groups. Pastor Jackson believes that her “human touch” will propel her to success. Pastor Jackson supports Clinton due to her support for minority groups, her political background, her identity as a democratic woman, and her emphasis on the human identity.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church is self-described as emphasizing a freedom of conscience for all. While the church places emphasis on the separation of church and state, and is meticulous when accepting and spending funding from the government, their beliefs in many ways align with those of the Democratic party. Although the church does not officially endorse any political candidates, including Seventh-Day Adventist Ben Carson, the church believes in defending the freedom of conscience of any human. Since the Seventh-Day Adventist Church is mostly composed of a minority (non-white) populace it is not surprising that many members identify with the Democratic Party. Blacks and Latinos have historically distrusted Republican candidates and view current Republican candidate Donald Trump as openly intolerant of minority groups, especially immigrants. At the same time, the Seventh Day Adventist Church places emphasis on human equality, meaning that regardless of skin color, immigration status, and income, humans are humans and deserve equal rights. Members of this church see Hillary Clinton as in greater agreement with this value because some of her policies for this year’s election include equal pay for all groups, particularly minority teenagers and women, and greater support for racial equality. For this reason, many minority voters, including many from the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, align with Clinton’s beliefs.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church (SDA) is a church historically known for being inclusive. Since its creation, the church has allowed black members and provided a space for those who experienced discrimination. Since its inception, the church has placed emphasis on a human identity: the skin color of its members does not matter. This commitment holds true to today, and the church has a politically liberal position on many issues, one being immigration. The church provides English as a Second Language (ESL) classes twice weekly to the community for free, along with hot food distribution once a month. When questioned about the church’s approach to helping immigrants in the New Brighton community, Pastor Jackson stated “As a church, we believe in helping humanity. And despite where a person is from and how they got here, our basic response is to find some way of helping individuals.” In Jackson’s view, Clinton’s immigration policies place a similar emphasis on the humanity of immigrants, undocumented or not. Clinton proposes to provide deportation relief for immigrants who meet the requirements of the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act, parents of lawful residents, and additional persons with sympathetic cases. Jackson supports Clinton’s immigration policy and feels that “she will find a way of working it out so that families can stay together and that they could have a viable way in which they could live and work and contribute to this American society.” Clinton’s extensive background with working in urban areas with minority communities is appealing to Jackson and the SDA. “I think [the church is] more in line with her views on community issues than anything else,” he said (Jackson). Her proposals to help minority communities align with the SDA’s inclusive nature and the value it places on humanity and community.

Clinton’s extensive political experience makes her an ideal candidate for Pastor Jackson, and he believes her ability to adapt to new situations is an advantage. Clinton has demonstrated conflicting views throughout her political career, and in this election, many critics are coining her change in views as hypocrisy, or as a ploy to gain more votes. Pastor Jackson disagrees, and he emphasizes that a good leader is able to change his or her perspective when situations change. “When you’re a leader, you cannot be dogmatic at all times,” he said. “Situations will come around when you will change, and sometimes when you have more information, new light, you might have to go back on something that you felt should have been a certain way” (Jackson). Jackson feels that Clinton is consistent in good leadership and will act responsibly. Jackson himself is leader— he pastors two churches and a Spanish mission and for him— leadership experience is critical when electing potential candidates. For this reason, members of the SDA preferred Clinton over Obama in the 2008 elections. From 2001 to 2009 Clinton served as Senator of New York. Jackson recalled, “We had not too long supported her, so at that time Barack Obama, he was a young man who wasn’t known of in these parts.” Jackson also believes that the attention she initially garnered as First Lady of the United States (FLOTUS) is also to her advantage. “[Her history] started with her husband and their support for minority communities, and the work that they have been doing all across America,” He said (Jackson). This primary reputation as FLOTUS is something that presidential candidate Bernie Sanders obviously lacks. “Bernie Sanders was a hidden entity,” he said. “Actually, we only hear about Bernie Sanders, you know, much during this campaign. But Hillary Clinton has always been a known commodity, she has always been out there fighting for communities, and people” (Jackson). Clinton’s primary reputation as FLOTUS, and her political experience make her, in Jackson’s view, an ideal candidate who is more adept to handle the disparities between races and genders.

Clinton’s identity as a democratic woman appeals to Pastor Jackson and the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. Jackson firmly believes that her democratic values of acting for the people give her campaign a human touch, and put her ahead of the only remaining Republican candidate, Donald Trump. “Mr. Trump doesn’t [understand] the pain and the suffering of the small man,” he said. “That’s not his, you know, thing. So I think [Clinton] brings more of a human-to-human touch than him” (Jackson). Human touch may be an understatement as candidate Trump’s has had a troubled relationship with minority groups at the same time that he has won support from white supremacist groups. Not only does Pastor Jackson contrast Clinton to Trump, but he likens Clinton to democratic candidate Sanders and President Obama. “We need to cast our lot in with Hillary,” he said. “I think that [Bernie] could continue, and I feel strongly that he is going to be a part of her cabinet, just how she was a part of Barack’s cabinet” (Jackson). Her identity as a Democrat and her shared values with President Obama and Bernie Sanders are setting her up for success, he believes. He thinks that her desire to continue policies initiated by Obama, and to employ Sander’s economic ideas could be a winning combination. “I think what we expect to receive is a continuation and a building from Barack Obama,” said Jackson. (Jackson).

In addition to her democratic values, Clinton’s identity as a woman could be another factor in her success, and would set the precedent for future female generations. “I think every young woman with their friends should stand up and back her now. Because this is [their] time, right?” (Jackson). Pastor Jackson also emphasizes that if there were to be a female president in the near future, it would be Clinton. In his opinion, it would be difficult for another woman, with less recognition and decades of experience to earn public support as Clinton has. If not Clinton, then who?

“I believe history comes around once, and it will be difficult for it to happen again. The last election was the first time for a black American to be president. That history has come along. It’s going to be difficult for it to happen again. I think this is the time for a woman to be president” (Jackson).

Pastor Jackson emphasized that 2016 is the year for a Democratic woman to be elected. In his view, Clinton’s reputation and identity distinguish her from the other presidential candidates, and her tenacity in campaigning for president will produce opportunities for young women.

Clinton’s approach to the 2016 election places a strong emphasis on equality for all humans. The main reason that the Seventh-Day Adventist Church generally (although unofficially) supports Hillary Clinton in this year’s presidential election is because she and the church share many values, specifically a commitment to building community values, and acting compassionately to all. Pastor Jackson feels that the work she has done in urban areas and her experience with minority communities will set her up for success. In addition to vast political experience, which began with her being recognized as Bill Clinton’s wife, he sees Clinton’s identity as a Democrat and as a woman as two important factors in her advancement. Her Democratic values are a stark contrast from those of Republican candidate Donald Trump, and while Sanders appeals to younger audiences for his emphasis on economic policies, Jackson believes that Clinton places more emphasis on pursuing civil rights and lifting up minority communities. In Pastor Fitzroy Jackson view, the time for a female president is now and no other woman is better equipped than Hillary Rodham Clinton.

About Samara

Samara Lugo is a rising Sophomore at Macaulay Honors College at the College of Staten Island. She is currently undeclared but has a passion for English and writing. She is minoring in Spanish and enjoys traveling.