This is the final post for The Dillard Doctrine. A new year brings a new start, and I’ll be blogging over at Virginia Black Conservatives beginning Jan. 5
2009…all I can say is “wow.” It’s been a long year.
Personally, things have been up and down. New addition to the family in April (and oddly enough, that came a week before big changes professionally. More on that later). The rest of the year? Not the prettiest…at all. But with the help of God, my family, close friends and others, I’ve faced down those challenges. At times, I’ve faced physical illness and mental depression…and fought them both. Other challenges remain…but they’re not going to get me either.
To everyone, personally and professionally-and there’s been a lot-that I ran over, ran through, stepped on, stepped over, kicked, disregarded, etc. during the course of the year, I offer this apology. In many cases, the slights were not personal…but regardless of why, they were undeserved.
Professionally…well, what’s to say that hasn’t been said at some point? From the Tea Party in Virginia Beach in April through the height of the McDonnell campaign to pursuing my own aspirations, the year’s been a whirlwind. I’ve met a lot of good people who I call friends, and learned a lot about the cynical and degrading nature of politics from others.
I’ve learned professionally is that no matter where you stand on the political spectrum, two things are important:
First, no matter where you are or who you represent, maintain your own voice. People will respect you in disagreement if they know you’re sincere in your beliefs, and are saying what you really think and feel. The minute you become a shrill for one cause or another, you lose that respect…and without it, you can’t move anywhere or do anything. I credit my liberal/progressive friends at Jack and Jill Politics and WEESeeYou for showing me this (and constantly reminding me of it!).
The second lesson I’ve learned is to always remember where you came from and the issues of those who are still there. This is something I came to realize during McDonnell’s campaign while doing his African American outreach. It’s important to never get so far removed from home that you allow yourself to forget-or conveniently ignore-the everyday struggles that, at one point, made up your existence…because they don’t leave just because you do. As my friends from the Richmond Crusade for Voters always tell me, at the end of the day, you still have to come home…and if your actions show a disrespect or disregard to those who you claim as “your own,” you’ll soon find yourself with nothing once you’ve been discarded by those who no longer need you.
So what’s next? First, the definites:
In the new year, I will continue to work to better balance my home life and professional life. That’s a personal commitment to my family that, after a couple of years of lending me to the world, I think they deserve-at the least.
Professionally, I’m starting a consulting firm that will focus its efforts on working with political candidates to better apply conservative principles to urban and minority environments. For too long, home has been neglected until it’s time to win an election-and even then just receives lip service. So for me, this is my effort to stop that practice. Also-as I mentioned above-I’m beginning a new blog that will work towards that same goal.
Lastly, my political future…which is not definite.
I’ll say that I will either be in office, preparing to take office, or preparing for another campaign by January ‘11. My congressional run remains on the table, but ultimately I will make the decision that I feel will best serve my family and my community. If that is done by going to Washington as a representative, then that’s what we’ll do. However, if it’s better done by serving at a local or state level, then that road will be taken. As I said at Christopher Newport University in early December, I have no desire to be a career politician. I choose to be a public servant to better my family and my community, and not for want of the trappings of power. That I will do…and when I’m no longer needed, I will go home.
Tomorrow begins the start of something new. Childish things are put away, and a better man steps forward to continue the fight to protect his family and community against everything that would come against them.
I’m Coby Dillard, and I approve this message.
And as I always say…bring on whatever’s next.
It’s been a great two years here at The Dillard Doctrine. I hope you’ll join me at my new blog, Virginia Black Conservatives, next week.
Posted by Coby Dillard