On Sunday, October 9, 2005, I wrote the following on this post: "I find it hard to believe that anyone, who has heard CP Samuels speak or have read statements that he has made, could overlook the obvious. I look forward to Nov 8th. Only then will I see if we have moved forward or if the views and stereotypes of African Americans remain the same."
On election night, I saw more White people in North Minneapolis than I have ever seen before. They were standing on corners holding up Don Samuels signs. That is when I knew the stereotypical views had not changed. How White people, and White media can post their outrage at the things Booker Hodges said, but defend the things CP Samuels said, clearly shows that things have not changed as it pertains to Black people and that saddens me. It was clear that Jackie Cherryhome wanted to defeat Natalie Johnson-Lee, because she is still angry about her loss 4 years ago. All you had to do was go by the campaign sites of Samuels and Johnson-Lee to see where their support base came from. While these are not exact numbers, they are an example of what I saw that night: Samuels had 150 Whites and 3 African-American, while Johnson-Lee had 150 African-Americans and 3 Whites. That was a telling sign to me. The next 4 years will be interesting. Most of our leaders were cowards who supported Johnson-Lee in private, but sold her out in public. Reverend McAfee, Spike Moss and Ron Edwards weren't afraid to publicly give their support. I can tell you this.....All of them took exception to the things CP Samuels said, but knowing that the popular vote (Whites), backed CP Samuels, kept them silent.... and that is a fact. All you heard after the election was, "We may have made a mistake" or "We need to come together as a people and start healing" or "Natalie was the stronger candidate" or the view from City Pages and Startribune, "She needs to denounce Hodges and Flowers." I heard so many things after the election that it made me sick to my stomach. I take comfort in knowing that they will each have to answer someday. I look forward to the Independent Freedom Party.................I wonder how many of them will work against the Freedom Party. 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:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
