Wizard Marks writes: >I am very sorry that Natalie Johnson Lee is the only African >American on the council. Having watched both Sharon and >Brian be the sole AA, I've seen that their jobs were not >just the Eighth Ward, but all the people of color who came >to them to get heard. It is a fact that people of color do >not often feel that they will be heard by whites, nor do >women often feel that they are heard by males. This reminds me of Ms. Marks post last year stating that it was inappropriate for me to ask Rep. Neva Walker (who represents me) to sponsor sodomy law repeal. Marks stated that "white legislators" and "glbt legislators" should be working on this -- not Neva Walker. I still think that is rather odd reasoning. The above is a similar assumption. I didn't always feel represented by Brian Herron -- but that wasn't because he was male. I expect whoever represents the boundaries I live in to represent me -- regardless of party, or demographics (race, gender, age, etc.)
I was under the impression that Natalie Johnson Lee represents the 5th ward. It's pretty obvious that she has black skin -- but is that her only defining characteristic? Beating a DFL and labor endorsed incumbent shows political moxie and skill. Her obligation is to her constituents who voted her in. Each white council member has the obligation to represent all the folks in their ward -- if they don't, people can vote them out. Robert Lilligren obviously got significant African American support. >(SSB could hear women, hence Harriet Tubman Shelter, Ferris >Alexander off Lake Street. Lisa McDonald could not, hence >her unsuccessful attempts to cut Tubman out of the budget.) >It's very weird not being able to call Vernon Wetternach, >I'll miss that. >WizardMarks, Central Does this mean that SSB could hear women because she has the XX chromosome type (female)? I'd like to see more women and more minorities become players in the political system in Minneapolis. I'd like to see smart, hardworking and energetic people becoming players in the political system in Minneapolis. Discriminating against women, blacks, hispanics, gays etc. keeps smart, talented, qualified people out. Tokens (weak candidates who have the "diversity" characteristic, but nothing upstairs) do no good for anyone. Eva Eva Young Central ----------------------------------------------------- Click here for Free Video!! http://www.gohip.com/freevideo/ _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
