An Open Letter to the Black Ministers of Alabama by a Gubernatorial Candidate

Guest Opinion by Ken McFeeters, Republican candidate for Governor of Alabama

My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Ministry,

There are seasons in the life of a people when the moral demands of the moment rise above the comfort of silence. I believe we stand in such a season now. I write to you not as one who presumes authority over your sacred calling, but as someone who shares your concern for the rising generation—our sons and daughters who increasingly search for meaning in a world that offers them noise instead of wisdom, stimulation instead of strength, and amusement instead of purpose.

The ancient proverb teaches, "Where there is no vision, the people perish." Vision is not merely the ability to see what is wrong, but the courage to shape what is possible. And in this moment, what becomes possible for our young people depends in no small measure upon our willingness, as moral leaders, to re-center their education on the timeless virtues that have formed every flourishing civilization.

Aristotle taught, "Good habits formed in youth make all the difference." Cicero said, "Within the character of the citizen lies the welfare of the nation." These truths are not the property of any age or people—they are universal. When young hearts are trained in virtue, communities become strong. When they are not, freedom becomes fragile.

In every church I visit, I see potential glowing like a coal waiting for breath. Our young people are not lost; they are under-led. They are not indifferent; they are under-inspired. They do not lack intelligence; they lack formation. Plato warned us long ago: "The direction in which education starts a man will determine his future life." Too often, that direction is dictated by social media algorithms rather than spiritual mentors.

If we are to reclaim the moral imagination of our youth, we must return to the foundational virtues—those enduring strengths of character that prepare a person not only to succeed, but to serve; not only to prosper, but to persevere.

Franklin's 13 Virtues: A Model for Formation and The Virtues That Sustain a People

One of the great tools history offers us in this work is Benjamin Franklin's 13 Virtues course, a personal discipline he practiced for most of his life. It was simple, concrete, and profoundly effective. Franklin chose thirteen virtues—such as Temperance, Silence, Order, Resolution, Industry, Sincerity, Justice, Moderation, Cleanliness, Tranquility, and Humility—and focused on one each week, journaling his failures and progress.

He never claimed perfection; instead, he testified that the pursuit of virtue created strength, clarity, and peace. "Though I never arrived at the perfection I had been so ambitious of," he wrote, "I was, by the attempt, a better and a happier man." What a powerful message for our young people: virtue is not about flawless living; it is about faithful striving.

Imagine churches across our state guiding youth through something similar—an intentional, structured journey of building character. Imagine young men and women learning to examine their own hearts, to measure their progress not by comparison to others but by commitment to growth. Such a movement would shape a generation more deeply than any curriculum in a textbook.These virtues do not appear in a life by accident; they must be cultivated deliberately, patiently, habitually.

The Responsibility of Moral Leadership

Dr. King once warned that "the appalling silence of the good people" is more dangerous than the loudness of the misguided. We cannot be silent in this hour. We cannot outsource character formation to the internet, to entertainment, or to political rhetoric. The ministry has always been a school of virtue, a forge where souls are shaped.

Emerson said, "What you are speaks so loudly I cannot hear what you say." This is not a rebuke; it is an invitation—to make our lives the curriculum our youth deserve.

A Call to Partnership and a Vision for the Future

It is worth imagining what our state could become if public schools dedicated even one hour each day to the study and practice of virtue—something structured, intentional, and rooted in the spirit of Franklin's 13-virtue discipline. Such a commitment would not merely educate the mind but also cultivate the heart.

In times as unsettled as these, Alabamians do best when we take care of one another, refuse the narratives of division, and recommit ourselves to building unity from within. A people bound together by virtue cannot be easily torn apart by fear, noise, or the pressures of a world that has lost its direction.

The media, schools, and government keep us divided and intentionally don't promote virtues. The only way for Alabama to survive is if we all come together and help each other.With respect and hope for our shared future,

A Gubernatorial candidate and fellow Servant of the Common Good

Ken McFeeters is a Republican candidate for Governor of Alabama, running on a platform of independence, food sovereignty, and putting Alabama first.

For more information about Ken McFeeters and his campaign, visit his official social media platforms:

• Facebook: Ken4Gov
• X (formerly Twitter): @Ken4Governor
• TikTok: @Ken4Governor

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