Monday, February 01, 2010
I copied the editorial of the Nov./Dec. issue of The New Orleans Tribune
Since I couldn't find archives on the Tribune's website, I'll copy it at the bottom of this post. It's worth rereading after reading this month's endorsement of John Georges:
It certainly makes you wonder what Georges promised the Tribune's editor, Dwight McKenna. It's almost enough to make you wonder about McKenna, Leon Cannizzaro, Georges and Bill Schultz.
BTW, Cannizzaro and McKenna's paper have both endorsed Jay Batt over either Virginia Blanque or Susan Guidry.
At any rate, last month's Tribune editorial (no link available):
*For the most part, I don't think it's a terribly significant fact that the city's voter registration was majority White when Dutch Morial became the city's first black mayor in 1978, but some rhetoric seems to ignore that fact altogether. If memory serves, white voter registration was about 57% (don't remember the exact figure), which would be consistent with this:
The New Orleans Tribune has been a tireless advocate and a consistently strong voice for self-governance and self-determination in a majority* African American city. We have been out front endorsing and supporting African American candidates for elected office with both our checkbooks and our pens for over 25 years.
...
We think John Georges is the best candidate to “hold” the mayor’s office while we in the African American community regroup. We know for sure Georges is the best candidate to stop the juggernaut that is barreling down on this community as we write.
It certainly makes you wonder what Georges promised the Tribune's editor, Dwight McKenna. It's almost enough to make you wonder about McKenna, Leon Cannizzaro, Georges and Bill Schultz.
BTW, Cannizzaro and McKenna's paper have both endorsed Jay Batt over either Virginia Blanque or Susan Guidry.
At any rate, last month's Tribune editorial (no link available):
A Betrayal of the Black Community
The recent exit by State Senator Ed Murray from the mayor’s race has left the black community confused and bewildered. The blow is even more painful because it is an African American politician that has let us down—failing to show the courage to lead and stay the course.
After the devastation of Katrina and the ravages that linger, we had looked forward to an able, committed, competent candidate who could and would lead the disadvantaged citizenry of this city, act in our best interests and restore confidence in our ability to govern ourselves. Boy, were we fooled. Yet after three days reeling in the wake of Senator Murray’s surprise announcement, we are resigned to the rumblings and rumors of back room deal-making to endorse another candidate. What a joke. What a ruse.
The spurious argument of not wanting to create racial divisiveness insults, and declarations of lack of money ring hollow in the ears of those who entrusted their confidence to Senator Murray. Now we see the old two-stepping routine of one wanting to be the spook that anoints the new king and the one who sits by the door. What we see is a man who thoughtlessly led us down the primrose path and selfishly left us up the creek without a paddle, a man who lacked the courage of his stated convictions.
Is this what our forefathers struggled and died for during the Civil Rights movement? Is this the destination that Dutch Morial and others of our first Black elected officials in the 20th century were seeking when they began their exciting journeys on our behalf and with us at their sides over 30 years ago?
Shame on you, Senator Murray. Do you not know what you have done? You have dealt a blow to this community beyond belief, a blow with ramifications that we will be dealing with for years to come.
In spite of our having been wounded, we can’t give up now. It’s time that we pull it together, regroup as a community, and seriously consider our options for mayor. It is paramount that we not despair but that we steel ourselves to make the right choice as we move forward. Even more than before, it is critical that we look past empty clichés, patronizing back slapping and meaningless platitudes while demanding that the candidate we agree to support unapologetically signs on to an agenda that benefits the African American community.
To our elected officials, Black and white, our people are tired, so be on notice, there will be no more free passes.
It’s accountability time in New Orleans.
*For the most part, I don't think it's a terribly significant fact that the city's voter registration was majority White when Dutch Morial became the city's first black mayor in 1978, but some rhetoric seems to ignore that fact altogether. If memory serves, white voter registration was about 57% (don't remember the exact figure), which would be consistent with this:
Dutch Morial made national history when he was elected the first Black mayor of the Crescent City in 1977, defeating City Councilman Joseph V. DiRosa by a vote of 90,500 to 84,300. Morial successfully became the city's first mayor of color by capturing 95 percent of the Black New Orleans vote and 20 percent of the city's white vote.
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The city was majority black, population wise, at the time, however whites still had a substantial majority in voting roles, primarily due to the fact that a good chunk of the black population was under age 18.
I know it was covered in one of the "Mayor's of New Orleans" series lectures. I think I also read it in Campanella's book.
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I know it was covered in one of the "Mayor's of New Orleans" series lectures. I think I also read it in Campanella's book.
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