I live several hundred miles from Trotwood, Ohio, a suburb in greater Dayton. I have never been there. I have a picture in my mind of what the town might look like, but only because I have heard so much about it from the city’s biggest fan—Rap Hankins, Ward 2’s representative on the Trotwood City Council.
While the national news outlets were focused last night on a congressional race in upstate New York and gubernatorial elections in New Jersey and Virginia, I spent the evening monitoring Trotwood’s local races online at DaytonDailyNews.com. Shortly after midnight, Rap was declared the winner in his bid for re-election. There was cheering at our house. A few minutes later Rap called me to confirm the good news.
I remember well an afternoon almost twenty years ago when Mary Ann called me from Atlanta’s Omni Convention Center, where she was attending a trade show, and told me about this fellow she had met earlier in the afternoon.
“You’ve got to meet him, Prentice,” Mary Ann told me enthusiastically. “He is just about everything that we’re not. He doesn’t share any of your religious beliefs, political positions, he’s an an African-American political activist… you name it. Just think of something you’re not, and he’s probably that!
“But, the two of you do have a few things in common,” Mary Ann went on. “He’s a Macintosh nut and, well… I don’t know… you’re just really gonna like this guy.
“I met him and his wife, Jan, in front of a vendor’s booth. I’ll tell you all about it when I get home, but I just wanted you to know that I got their phone number. You should call him when he gets back home to Ohio.”
Calling people I don’t know isn’t the sort of thing I normally do. In fact, I have done that sort of thing exactly once in my life, and that was the call I made to Rap.
Twenty years later, I can say that I have no better friend on this earth than Rap Hankins, and there is no man on this earth I more respect than him. Here’s why…
Despite his physical handicaps (Rap walks with the aid of crutches and has severely impaired vision) that would have confined a lesser man to a life of disability checks and food stamps, Rap made for himself a very successful career as a sales rep for multiple software developers and peripheral equipment manufacturers. He raised a family, coached youth athletic teams, and is the proud father of children of whom any parent would be proud.
When his youngest child was in her teens, Rap went back to college and earned dual degrees, and eight years ago his sense of civic duty motivated him to seek a position on the city council of Trotwood, where he has lived for more than thirty years.
When Rap conducted his first political campaign, he ran for City Council not as a Democrat or Republican, but as an independent. Rap isn’t just independent, he is utterly independent!
He accepted no money from political action groups or special interests, and ran his campaign on a shoestring. He asked me to print a few dozen yard signs for him, and he collected a dollar here and a dollar there from people in the community. He campaigned the old fashioned way—he went directly to the voters.
Despite his physical impairments, in his first campaign Rap walked throughout his entire Ward, visiting with his neighbors and listening to their concerns. This year, running for his fourth term on the City Council, Rap was still walking his ward and talking to voters.
Walking is both difficult and exhausting for Rap, but he did it because he loves his family, and because he is genuinely concerned about the families of his neighbors. He believes he knows how to improve things in their lives, and he is determined to make the effort. He sought public office for a reason—the right reason.
Over the years that Rap has been my friend he has talked to me often about his personal and public concerns, fears and joys. He has sought my counsel when faced with difficult problems, and he has never been more than a phone call away when I have needed a friend. A real, genuine, honest-to-God friend.
It never mattered that we might have different ideas about how to tackle a difficult political or social issue. It never mattered that our views might be polar opposites on any matter of public interest or philosophy. I have never for a moment doubted that Rap Hankins wants the same things that I want—justice, fairness, peace, security, dignity and prosperity for everyone in America. For everyone in the world.
Whenever the Pledge of Allegiance is said, I stand with my hand held over my heart. Rap remains seated, making his private pledge to be a friend and blessing to all he meets.
So, why is any of this important to you? Oh, I think you know.
Congratulations, Council Member Hankins!
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I have enjoyed hearing stories about your friend, Rap. Congratulations that his ward continues to believe in him! He sounds like a very interesting guy and someone I’d probably enjoy conversing with.
As mr hankins’ youngest child and only daughter I want to thank you for all you help and support over the years! You have been a great friend and brother to my dad in so many ways ! Go bucks and go rap hankins!!!!!!!!!!
Succinct, colorful, well said, vivid – your words grab the eye with ease. If you rarely make calls to folk you don’t know, how the test of time proved to be a gem for you both.
A joy to read your views on a gent you could easily have overlooked, as I might believe many in his home town could as well. Differences, distances, and thinking outside the box – hallmarks you both share – have been a boon for those of us who’ve come to read your comments. How fortunate are we to be privy to a dear friendship and in sharing in Rap’s success. Congrats. And thank you so much.