Here we go again................Well as to election time Megan is once again wrong. If Keith runs again, I will vote for him again, but only because I think he has potential. To everything else Megan wrote, I will not respond.
Now here is the view of an African-American woman: I went back over the past 6 month of forum debates. Since I tuned in to this forum, quite by accident, I have noted the following: Where it pertains to African-American people, leaders and "gang-bangers" I found this: If you speak against an African American "leader" who is well received by Whites you get jumped on (i.e., CP Samuels, Tyrone Terrell and Keith Ellison) by some on the forum. If you agree with something those not well received have to say, the radicals, (i.e., Ron Edwards, Rev. McAfee, Booker Hodges, Natalie Johnson-Lee and Al Flowers) you get jumped on by some on this forum. When Tyrone Terrell, called open season on the African-American family and their "gang-banger" relatives, saying that we should disown them, many on this forum backed him. Months later, when CP Samuels embraced those same "gang-bangers" suddenly it was OK to be in the company of "gang-bangers." I have known Keith Ellison since he was a young lad. When he was a radical like Al Flowers, Booker Hodges, Ron Edwards and Rev. McAfee. In fact, at one time, Keith changed his last name from Ellison to "X" like our great leader Malcolm X. At that time Whites would not touch Keith. When he ran for office he changed his name back to Ellison. Why? Because he would never heve been elected with the name Keith X. He went back to Ellison and suddenly he was a great guy to have as a colleague. Well, I for one believe he was a great guy when he was Ellison and when he was "X." Ask Keith if you disagree with what I have said here. I trust that he will tell the truth. In fact, those "gang-bangers" use to be his biggest clients. Now, many of you were silent on the issue of Empowerment Zone money. Why, because if either did not impact you, or you received some of the money, or someone you know received funding. I'm OK with that because those people may have applied for the funding, but the City did not have to give it to them. But, being our elected leader, Keith does not have the luxury of being quiet, something he tried to rectify to late. However, on this forum, I did give him credit to asking for a public forum to discuss why the impoverished community received far less than others. I am finically secure, but have been on the other side and believe those representing the silent group needs to shout even louder to be heard. It's funny how every year you want to give praise to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., rarely to Malcolm X. Why? Because King was accepted by his "colleagues" on the other side, and Malcolm X wasn't. I for one, believe that change comes from those who are like Martin Luther King, Jr., those who are like Malcolm X. I expect leaders in our community to fall under both umbrellas fighting for the same goal. As to Keith Ellison running again, yes he has my vote, but he needs to change some things and that is the bottom line. To Keith I say this, never forget where you came from. If you have to change your views and opinions to be accepted by your "colleagues on the other side" then you have not been accepted for who you are. As a lawyer you fought for those who others would not fight for, please remember those people are still being excluded and still need your voice and the voices of all Martin Luther Kings Jr.'s and Malcolm X's. 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
