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Black leaders in Chicago met on Tuesday to see if they could galvanize behind one mayoral candidate in what they say is their best opportunity in years to address issues facing the African-American community. The effort shows the evolving nature of politics in the black community. It is a community that is trying to find ways to assert itself even as there is a move toward the idea of post-racial politics.
The AP writes:
Facing the best shot in decades to push an agenda - including better solutions to violence, foreclosures and unemployment plaguing underserved black neighborhoods - black clergy, politicians and others have been meeting to try to throw their collective weight behind just one person, hoping the rest of the black community follows their lead.
So many potential candidates have surfaced - at least a dozen in the black community alone - that many fear the black vote could be widely split, ruining a chance to exercise the kind of influence that helped elect Chicago's first black mayor, Harold Washington, in 1983. Among other considerations is whether Rahm Emanuel, praised by President Barack Obama even as he left the administration last week to run, will win support from black voters in Obama's hometown."It is important to get behind one candidate ... who has a sense of urban reconstruction," said the Rev. Jesse Jackson, one of several community leaders arranging meetings.
"Our job is to educate [voters] that Rahm is not the second coming of Barack Obama, that what they're thinking is based on irrational logic," said the Rev. Ira Acree, pastor of Greater St. John Bible Church.
Though blacks make up 35 percent of Chicago's population, choosing candidates using their race as a major consideration is fading. As evidenced by the defeat of Mayor Adrian Fenty in Washington, D.C., though, black voters are more wary than ever of being ignored and have begun rebelling against the idea that American politics is post-racial.
Black voters in D.C. felt that Fenty arrogantly ignored their concerns. Just four years after winning every voting district in the city, the young politician, often tagged as a rising political star, lost in a stunning defeat.
"There's no one leader in the African-American community any more ... with the charisma or moral authority to stand up and say 'follow me,' and maybe that's OK," said DePaul University professor Laura Washington.
Part of the problem is that while politics are changing, some blacks are still operating under an old paradigm. The fact that a bunch of ministers feel they can meet in a room and decide who they are going to support leaves a lot to be desired.
The AP reports that:
The top vote-getters in a straw poll of about 100 ministers taken Sept. 17 were state Sen. James Meeks, a prominent black minister, and U.S. Rep. Danny Davis, who also is black, said the Rev. Ira Acree, pastor of Greater St. John Bible Church. Runners-up included former U.S. Sen. Carol Moseley Braun and Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr., despite recent revelations of an affair and allegations he wanted a group of Indian businessmen to raise millions for ousted Gov. Rod Blagojevich in exchange for Jackson's appointment to Obama's old Senate seat. But nobody is ruling out Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart, who is white and has made a name for himself with several actions viewed favorably in black communities."
I'm curious if there was anyone under 35 in the room? Did the group reach out beyond the traditional leaders such as ministers? Did the potential candidates present an agenda to the group? Were young, up-and-coming people considered as candidates? How big of a role did race play in the selection of a person to support? Did race supercede policy in selection of a candidate?
Maybe it's time for some new blood.
Comments: (6)
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By: Slik on 10/06/2010 11:20AM
"some blacks are still operating under an old paradigm."
Some, hell I'd say most are operating under an old paradigm, as always dead last in every damn thing, even evolving.
These so-called Black Leaders continue to play racial politics, becuase the never learned to do anything else, thats all they have, and like the NAACP and the SCLC, these so-called black leaders need fresh blood, new ideas. This isnt 1965 anymore.
with all due respect to the older generation, you need to move out of the way, these so called meetings for Rahm indicates the same ole shyt.
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By: mrsjustice on 10/06/2010 3:31PM
I disagree wholeheartedly, I have lived my whole life thinking as you do. Thinking that if Black People like me, who work's hard, and respect other, can do anything to help improve society.
Black Business Ideals are still being stolen by the well connected and run out of Business. Black People loses their Jobs, faster than anyone else. Black people are denied Proper Justice even with real Evidence that any other race. The Black communities need to "wake-up" and not let people with opinions like your separate them for each other. This New Type of Terror facing my Black Communities is using Black's to kill each other, finically, mentally and financially for a past of self empowerment.
This New Type of Mental Slavery will continue to destroy the Black Communities across the U. S., because we are really powerless to stop this type of new conspiracy because many feel it's the only way to make a living.
We the Black Community need to return to the 1965 lack Love of community to end this new Black on Black Crimes feud by greed and the needs to falsely charge another Black Person, or kill each other to put food on the table will destroy the Black Communities, such crimes against each other will be used to undermine the true history of 1965 to the abatement of the 13 Amendment to the 14 Amendment.
I live as a witness to such truth's, Amen!!
I don't feel free, as I learned in the History Classes in High School, Amen!!
You truly speak of "fairytales" in your opinion, Amen!!
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By: slik on 10/06/2010 7:31PM
@mrsjustice
I speak in fairytales, who is talking about returning to 65, not me. You are talking about concepts and ideas that were applicable to 1965.
And there in lies my point. This isnt 1965. This isnt the 60's this is the information age. We dont have Bull Connor, or George Wallace to deal with.
If black folk are going to insist upon so-called black leaders, then Id hope black folk are smart enough chose those who at least reside in the present age.
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By: mrsjustice on 10/06/2010 8:35PM
I stated very clearly in my statement: that my Black Community needs to return to the "neighborhood love for each other in 1964", because our fight is not over as I stated above, Amen!!
My Community shared a pure love for equality,and brotherly love, that's seem to be moving backward, from "Dream Accomplished" Amen!!
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By: jackie on 10/06/2010 1:49PM
What's wrong with Rahm? Seems like black leaders are not real leaders and don't choose the best candidates.....at least Chicago would have an open door to the President............LOL
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By: mrsjustice on 10/07/2010 7:17PM
The only person I have studies for many of years on C-Span is Sen. James Meeks the story above. He was the only one my children would watch in Congress at night on c-span to get them involved in our legal systems in the making, Amen!!.
Our Black Leaders will alway be a great need for the Black Community.
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