Michelle, The redistricted map was drawn before Don Samuels ran in the special election to replace Third Ward CM Joe Biernat. Before. The moment Don ran to finish Joe's term, he knew that he was residing in what would be the new Fifth Ward, that was represented by Johnson-Lee at the time. At the time, there was speculation that he would move into the new Third Ward or not run again. Johnson-Lee even came out to support him.
While there were some unfortunate things that came as a result of redistricting, this match-up was a choice that Don Samuels made. Not that it's bad in itself, sometimes our leaders need to be challenged for whatever reason. I was hoping that this race would focus on that. Or, on some of the difference in the way to two get things done. I don't know why Samuels comments surprise many. He is not of the African American culture. So, naturally he will make mis-steps and be unable to relate to certain things, but the question is, can he bring home the bacon and push forth the representation. Black leaders are challenged from within all the time. Even the great Congressman Adam Clayton Powell time had to come to end with a challenge from a young gun Bronx Attorney named Charles Rangel. Eric Mitchell Saint Paul - -- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > We have to realize that redistricting caused the > only two sitting minorities > to be fighting for one seat, just like redistricting > cause the downtown area, > where the money lies, to be taken from the 5th ward. > While redistricting was > unfortunate for the 5th ward, it caused the city > council to be just as > underrepresented, for African-Americans, since > Samuels and Johnson-Lee now have to run > against each other. It's a sad day for the > African-American communities, > because as our population grows, our representation > shrinks. It's the same issue > that is being raised in both the Minneapolis and St. > Paul Police Departments. > People need to not lose sight of that. > > I really hate posting like this, because it sounds > so exclusive, but I > believe many of you understand the point I'm trying > to make. > > > > Michelle Hill > Cleveland > REMINDERS: > 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at > http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a > member is in violation, contact the list manager at > [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. > > 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. > > For state and national discussions see: > http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html > For external forums, see: > http://e-democracy.org/mninteract > ________________________________ > > Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused > Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy > Post messages to: mailto:[email protected] > Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: > http://e-democracy.org/mpls > __________________________________ Yahoo! Mail - PC Magazine Editors' Choice 2005 http://mail.yahoo.com REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[email protected] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
