SC District 70 Race Heats Up: Fighter Aims to Knock Out the Competition

Dr. Germon "Mama G" Miller Candidate For District 70 South Carolina House of Representatives

by Javar Juarez

Columbia, S.C. (CUBNSC)- Early voting for the Democratic Primary is underway, and the CUBN had the opportunity to catch up with Dr. Germon "Mama G" Miller, a candidate for the South Carolina House of Representatives for District 70, which includes a significant portion of the lower Richland community, including Hopkins, SC. Affectionately known as "Mama G," Dr. Miller is not your typical candidate. She is the only female international martial arts grandmaster and the first woman in modern history to be recognized as an Elder in the Afrikan Martial Sciences. Additionally, she is a renowned community activist and organizer dedicated to protecting future generations.

Dr. Miller’s campaign focuses on rural economic development, community investment, and infrastructure enhancement. She believes in healthcare access for all and is widely respected, especially by young people in high-risk communities that often lack essential resources and information.

Dr. Miller Statehouse Rally

Dr. Miller, a black historian and anthropologist, advocates for the education of black children by the communities around them, "the village." She attributes many issues faced by young people today to a lack of support and community engagement. During the interview, she spoke candidly about her grandmother, the family matriarch who protected her from an abusive spouse and instilled in her the courage to stand up for herself. This guidance, along with the support of noble male figures in her life, led Dr. Miller to train in martial arts, a discipline she now passes on to the next generation. She emphasized that many victims are too kind-hearted to fight back because they feel it is wrong to inflict pain on another human being. Her rule for self-defense is clear: "Allow no one to alter your physical condition to be any worse than before the two of you crossed paths."

Born in Jerusalem to a father with Ethiopian Hebrew ancestry and a Louisiana Creole mother, she was raised by her grandmother, Mother Marie, in New Orleans. Dr. Miller learned about cultural ways of life and spirituality from an early age. Her education continued in Philadelphia, where she attended an all-girls Catholic school as the first student of color. 

Miller's academic journey took her to the University of Pennsylvania, where she entered in 1971. Despite facing numerous challenges, including surviving domestic abuse and homelessness, she persevered. Her experiences with the Black Panthers and the Nation of Islam's African fighting system shaped her resilience and determination. 

Dr. Miller believes that a strong community is built on communication and interaction. She emphasizes the need for judicial reform to provide young people with better opportunities outside of jail and advocates for the elimination of the "school-to-prison" pipeline. Dr. Miller supports arbitration over court cases and underscores the importance of educating children within their cultural contexts. She criticizes the current system for expelling troubled children from school without addressing underlying issues such as mental illness and stress.

Dr. Miller and SC State Rep. Heather Bauer 

Dr. Miller states that she is running for office because change is long overdue and vows to use her platform to call out corruption. She believes in the power of politics to enact meaningful change and is unafraid to speak out against injustices. Dr. Miller faces two challengers: Eve Carlin, a law professor and certified mediator with a strong background in legal and community organizations, and Robert Reese, a community advocate focused on environmental justice, climate change, and supporting minority entrepreneurs.

The District 70 seat is currently held by the well-liked and respected Dr. Jermaine Johnson. Representative Johnson (D-Hopkins) has announced he will seek re-election to serve the people of the newly-drawn House District 52.

We recommend all residents of Richland County to use Richland County's advanced GIS online mapping to learn so much more about your own community including who represents you. Follow this link to view your senate/house district lines: https://www.richlandmaps.com/apps/dataviewer/?lat=34.03787&lon=-81.02417&zoom=10&base=roadmap&pane=hidden&pane=layers&expanded=26937|53759|52088|18518|38669|39665&layers=33844|24029|241

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