No One Knows It All

By A. Govea

Tarrant County's 2025 commissioners court precinct map

First, let me say this clearly: I don’t consider myself someone who knows it all. I know enough to know that I don’t. Yet we all know at least one or two people who are quick to point out the faults or weaknesses of others — often with no self‑awareness at all.

I’m not here to criticize those folks.

I’m simply trying to think out loud, because we all need to find a way to compromise. Those who see the injustice happening in our country — and right here in our own cities — must find a way to unite.

In my 70‑plus years on this earth, I can honestly say I have never seen so many attacks on decency and basic human rights. We’re watching voter rights being weakened, immigration laws being violated, and civil rights protections — especially anything resembling DEI — being targeted. The list is too long to include without turning this humble opinion piece into a short book.

And if you’re reading this article, you already know what I’m talking about — maybe even better than I do. So, to save us both time, I’ll focus on one thing: voting in the November general election, especially Raza turnout.

Many people say this is “the most important election ever.” I tend to agree. Pero, it’s not the first time we’ve heard that. Pero maybe this time it really is. At the national, state, and even local levels, it truly feels like we are losing ground.

Across Texas, redistricting has caused many to believe that minority communities are being stripped of representation. Districts that once allowed fair minority representation have been redrawn in ways that weaken our voice. Combined with the weakening of the Voting Rights Act — which was meant to ensure elections that reflect the true population of our state and cities — recent Supreme Court rulings have resulted in Black and brown communities losing representation.

For many of us of a certain age, this feels like déjà vu — or like we’re stepping back into the past. Yes, times seem grim, and things appear to be getting worse. But here’s the good news: even though some are trying to take us back to a time before the Voting Rights Act or the Civil Rights Act, this is not the 1950s.

There are far more people today who refuse to go back to unfair elections. People see right through the shenanigans the far right is trying to pull. And many are pushing back every single day. Even better, a lot of those people are already elected officials with the power to advocate for fairness.

Despite all the redistricting, there is still an opportunity this November to elect more like‑minded leaders — if we can find common ground in how we approach turnout.

I understand we’re all different, and my way of increasing turnout may not be the same as yours. Pero,that doesn’t mean either one of us is wrong. There’s usually more than one way to get somewhere. So, can we start there?

Instead of calling each other out publicly — especially online — let’s have a conversation first. Maybe I’ll come around to your way of thinking, or maybe you’ll come around to mine. Or even better, maybe we’ll combine our efforts.

I, for one, am open to that. As I said before, I know I don’t know it all. And as the title says, no one knows it all. Let’s find a way to work together — or hate to even say it, we will go down together.

Anyway that’s what I think.