Michelle Martin writes that H.F. 67 is defeated but just not officially. I wonder. When a motion is tabled it is often under the wisdom of retreating now in order to fight another day. I suspect that when someone thinks it is "ripe" to try again, they will (the manipulation of the political process was not tabled, just this one application). One of the key statements in the post was this:
"This wasn't a legal issue, it was political. We pointed out that Rep. Kahn amended her bill to just target Minneapolis when 29 other cities in Minnesota had council elections in 2004 or 2005. We dispelled the myth that H.F. 67 supported the interests of communities of color." Chapters 12-13 of The Minneapolis Story, Through My Eyes," by Ron Edwards provides helpful background on the political manipulation of which this is but the latest attempt. I submit that this is the other side of a single coin of political manipulation, with one side being redistricting and the other side being reelectioning. Ron explains both sides of this political manipulation coin, the reelectioning attempt and the attempts to flagrantly manipulate the redistricting attempt that preceded the reelectioning attempt. Ron notes in his book the fact that State Senator Lynn Biernet, brother of recently departed council member from Ward 3, Joe Biernet, also tried to get a new election. Also, Gregory Gray co-sponsored an attempt with Phyllis Kahn. The reelectioning and the redistricting which preceded it was/is a process designed to disenfranchise the Green Party. Ron discusses how the NAACP went along with the DFL to do so, even at the cost of sacrificing the only African-American member of the City Council. Ron discusses how they tried to use redistricting to draw Natalie Johnson-Lee's block out of her ward and how they tried to get new elections held in the hopes of ousting her. Ron discusses how this coin of redistricting/reelectioning is political manipulation designed to disempower, not empower, to disenfranchise, not enfranchise. Ron also discusses how all of this hurt not helped the Black community (especially the redistricting creating a new Ward of Downtown) and stripping the downtown from the other wards, (see his map of this on p. 197), and how the NAACP worked hand in hand with the DFL to attempt these manipulation, creating needless divisions and conflicts within the Black community itself. Chapter 12 outlines this attempt. Interlude 12 outlines the types of gerrymandering and the laws about them, and Chapter 13 outlines the themes, 5 major conclusions, 25 points to ponder about such political manipulation, and 7 recommended remedies. He also includes the letter he sent to the various federal, state, and city officials as well as the national NAACP about this breach of law and wedging of the community. NOT ONE responded. In discussing this, may we keep in mind what Margaret Hastings wrote about the need for "more focus on the very real injustices happening in our city." The group and individuals from all three parties discussed in this post are to be commended for stepping outside their party booths to gather under the common umbrella under which these booths are suppose to operate, the umbrella of serving the community and fighting real injustices. These members of these three parties prove Ron's contention that there is a common ground on which all can stand and on which all can work together to achieve the common good, not just the good for selected individuals and groups. Read Ron's explanation, for, in a word, The Minneapolis Story continues.
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