Shawn Lewis asks, "Many still wonder if indeed, this would be the year for
the 8th Ward, which is over 60 percent people of color to elect a Council
Member who reflects their image. Whether a Black councilmember representing
8th Ward is on the horizon or not is the question for voters to answer in
November."
My question to Shawn Lewis is how long has it been since the Eighth Ward did
not have a "Person of Color" representing it. The present Council Member
representing that Ward 8 is a person of color. Robert Lillegrin IS a person
of color, he is an enrolled member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe. The
last I heard American Indians were considered "People of Color". Perhaps
Shawn should be more specific about what color he recognizes as "COLOR".
Before Robert represented the Eighth Ward that ward was represented by Brian
Herron. Brian was a friend, and his problem aside, my experience with him
was that Brian represented ALL the people of the Eighth Ward. And I have
stated that at the time he was the best representative we in the Phillips
Community of the Sixth Ward had on the Council! I do not remember how many
terms Brian served, but it was at least a couple.
Before Brian the Eighth Ward was represented by a woman, who the last time I
checked was Black. Also a "person of color". During Sharon's terms as Mayor
the folks in the Eighth Ward were represented by not only a "Person of
Color" in the City Council, but also a person of color in the Mayor's
office. The Eighth Ward has been represented by a person of color for at
least the last twenty years.
I think Jeff Hayden is a person of color, but if elected Jeff will probably
represent more than one "Color" in that ward. Heck, Jeff will probably also
represent a few White folks who support him. This is said tongue in cheek
because I am sure that Jeff does NOT see himself as representing just people
of color. But I do wonder what outrage would have been created if someone
had asked:
To paraphrase Mr. Lewis, "Many still wonder if indeed, this would be the
year for the 3rd Ward, which is over 60 percent White to elect a Council
Member who reflects their image. Whether a "White" councilmember
representing 3rd Ward is on the horizon or not is the question for voters to
answer in November."
This would be a ridiculous question if posed, because a Black man did
represent even those white folks the last few years.
For their first time, in memory, the Native people of the Sixth Ward will be
represented by someone who is also American Indian, but this does not mean
that he will not reflect the other "colors" in that ward. In fact, like Mr.
Lewis, many people might even know that he is. I do not believe many even
consider it as a factor in the election. It does bring up an interesting
historic point however, because if Robert is elected then TWO wards of
Minneapolis will have been represented by an American Indian. Double the
number with one man.
We all must remember that racism, even unwitting and unconscious racism, is
color blind. For that reason we should really talk about the good character
and wisdom of candidates. Not their color! There is a good chance that a
"person of color" will represent the Eight Ward, just as it has been
represented for at least the last twenty years, but do not forget that that
person should reflect all the people he or she represents, what ever their
color.
Jim Graham,
Ventura Village
"What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters compared to
what lives within us."
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