By Josh Resnek
Senator Edward Markey related his personal story of rising up from humble roots in Malden to become a US Senator to a throng of the city’s Haitian community at a church event highlighting Black History Month early in the afternoon on Super Bowl Sunday.
Markey used his compelling personal narrative – his father was a milkman for Hood, he sold ice-cream while working his way through college, he attended Catholic schools for 19 years, before finally becoming a lawyer, entering politics and rising up and out of his working class Irish Catholic upbringing in Malden.
The crowd, mostly families, adored the story visibly.
Markey did not mention that he is in the fight for his political life running in the upcoming primary against Congressman Joseph Kennedy.
Instead, Markey implored the impeccably attired and cast iron attentive assemblage to fight, and to take advantage of the promise that is America and to believe strongly in God.
“With love. With hard work. With a belief in yourselves and the United States of America, one of you or your children might one day become a US Senator as I did. Who would have thought it could ever happen to me? The possibilities are the same for you,” he said.
An interpreter speaking Creole translated Markey’s words from English into Creole.
Markey repeatedly lambasted President Donald Trump. He alleged the president was a racist and the wrong man to be leading the United States. He implied the president is a man who divides at a time when we need to be brought together.
“The president has said the worst things about the Haitian people. It isn’t right and it isn’t fair. It is wrong,” Markey said.
He received a wide round of applause many times during his speech at the Haitian Church at 1935 Revere Beach Parkway next to Everett Memorial Stadium. About 300 attended.
He was invited to the event by Councilor at Large Gerly Adrien who was kicking off Black History Month with the event.
Mayor Carlo DeMaria did not attend.
Adrien is the first black woman to be elected to the city council in the city’s history.
Following his remarks, Markey met with many members of the congregation and their children in a back room, shaking hands and sharing answers to questions posed by those who approached him. He gave very detailed information about the history of the US effort to help out the Haitian nation which has been wracked by natural disasters, a failing economy, and a violent political system that is failing.
“We need to do more as a nation to help out the Haitian people,” Markey told the Leader Herald.
“We need to protect the DACA people, illegal immigrants who have come here and who have become a part of the nation who now fear being deported. One day, it is my hope all 11 million illegals will be given citizenship and things made right,” he added.
“That’s what a great nation does. That’s how a great nation acts, and I am determined to make things right so people can live without fear,” he said.