Carson was not saying that Muslims should not be allowed to run for president. He has since explained: “Anybody from any faith, from any belief system, who comes to America, becomes an American citizen, embraces our American values and principles and is willing to subjugate their beliefs for our Constitution is somebody I have no problem with.” He seemed to imply that his initial comments were focused on radical Islamic beliefs.

Carson does not have experience as a politician, and he still needs to learn how to talk like one. We may criticize him for things we don’t agree with, but this country still needs voices like his and mine. I believe there are certain innate life experiences that I have in common with candidate Carson because we are African-American men who have had to overcome certain societal obstacles that all African-American men face. I felt the same when Barack Obama was running for president.

Long before he decided to enter the political landscape, Carson did positive things for our community. His career as a world-renowned pediatric neurosurgeon, after growing up in a single-parent household in the slums of Detroit, is one that we must keep in mind as this election continues. He is too valuable for our community to lose, and regardless of my political affiliation, there is a part of me that wants him to do well. No matter the outcome of the presidential race, Carson’s credibility should be left undamaged because he will still be a role model and a hero for many Americans, especially African-Americans—including myself.