This weekend, South Carolina lost one of its most recognizable political figures. U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham passed away after what his office described as a brief and sudden illness. Whether you agreed with him or disagreed with him, there’s no denying he left a mark on our state’s political history.
Life has taught me that it’s really about three things: relationships, connections, and communication. Throw in a little bit of what I call “playing the game,” and you’ll be surprised how much can get accomplished.
A lot of politicians have power because we give it to them. But power and influence aren’t the same thing.
Power is having the title.
Influence is being able to pick up the phone and make something happen.
Several years ago, one of our educators at Geiger Elementary School found himself in a difficult situation. My friend Elvis Goode, originally from Jamaica, was having visa issues. The school year was about to begin, and he was our only fifth-grade teacher. Things were moving slowly, and he was facing the possibility of having to leave the country.
Now, Elvis isn’t just a good teacher.
He’s my friend.
And I wasn’t about to let bureaucracy beat both him and a classroom full of students without at least trying to help.
So I started making phone calls.
I called then-South Carolina, State Senator Mike Fanning, who told me to contact US Senator Lindsey Graham’s office. Mike’s secretary, Mrs. Roxie Woodard, gave me the number, and I called.
No answer.
I emailed.
Nothing.
At that point I started thinking, “Well… I tried.” You know how it is. Sometimes you’re asking someone so important that you don’t actually expect them to call you back.
Then my phone rang.
It was the secretary, also named Mrs. Roxie, from Senator Graham’s office.
She couldn’t have been kinder. She listened while I explained Elvis’s situation and told me she would speak directly with the Senator.
I’ll be honest.
I didn’t think anything was going to come of it.
Not because she wasn’t sincere, but because I’d convinced myself politicians didn’t really have time for ordinary people.
Turns out I was wrong.
Mrs. Roxie and I spoke several times by phone and email within 24 hours. She told me Senator Graham had reviewed the situation and said that once Elvis completed the necessary paperwork, he would personally work with the U.S. State Department to help move the case along as quickly as possible.
I don’t remember exactly how long Elvis stayed in Jamaica before returning to Ridgeway.
I do remember this.
When we asked for help, Senator Lindsey Graham and his staff showed up.
That’s influence.
You don’t have to agree with every vote someone casts to appreciate a moment when they used their position to help your community.
I’ll always be grateful that a good teacher got back to his students and a good friend got to stay in the place he came to call home.
For that act of kindness, Senator Graham will always have my thanks.
Rest in peace, Senator.
Kenny Robertson, an educator and comedian, is a native of Ridgeway.