"I really hope to see more minority candidates in coming years for City offices. I don't believe voting just on the basis of race - viewpoint and qualifications are quite important - but if we cultivate more candidates of color, and get more to run, our City offices would better reflect our diversity."
Yeah, but Bob, what if they're (gasp!) republicans! :-0
The way the DFL looks to many people of color this morning is, you want and need our votes as long as you don't have to give us any power.
I know you people don't want or need any political advice from me, but just bear with me for a minute. Do you know how democrats can stop the bleeding of minorities to the other (my) side? (and if you don't think it's happening, you're whistling past the graveyard) Be consistent with what you say you want for minorities who are seeking or are appointed to high office.
A few recent examples that caused minority voters to sit up and take notice (other than the debacle last night):
1. When the DFL quietly dismissed Alan Page as a replacement candidate for Paul Wellstone (some have whispered that he was told to sit down and shut up) a lot of people where disappointed. I was disappointed. Here was a man with all the intellectual and political credentials and high name recognition who would gotten votes from across the spectrum of MN voters and could have been Minnesota's first black senator .... but no. You had to run white-bread Fritz. By "consistent," I mean that even the NAACP was mum on the choice. If they are really for the "advancement of colored people" like their name says, didn't they have a duty to try to "advance" him? But no, I guess they take their marching orders from the democrat party.
2. You should be on the side of the poor Chippewa tribes in the casino dispute. All they want is the same economic freedom that has been gained by the wealthy Sioux tribes, yet they're blocked because of an ill-conceived (some have said purchased) state compact that has created a monopoly which has resulted in a few hundred Sioux becoming multi-millionaires simply by accident of birth. You would think that this situation is tailor-made to show how the democrats are all about helping the poor and down-trodden minorities, etc. But Nooooooo. We all know the real reason why the democrats are blocking this proposal ($$), but to use the lame excuse that you oppose the expansion of gambling for "moral reasons" is laughable. I mean, no offense, but when have the democrats ever opposed anything for moral reasons. Hell, I'm SIOUX and I support the governor's plan for the Chippewa and we have a history of hating each other. What's wrong with this picture? Be consistent. Be on the side of the poor when they have a chance for economic security that doesn't mean government hand-outs.
I have several other examples but I'll stop after this next one because I did say "for a minute."
3. This probably bugs me the most. I can understand people opposing the appointment of Condi Rice to Sec. of State for political reasons. Fine, I can get that. But some of the mean, racist, ugly attacks on her appearance and the vicious comments speculating on her sex life for example, would make your hair curl. I thought you people were the tolerant ones? Certainly with people of color and a woman at that. And where was the NAACP defending her "advancement" at her confirmation hearings and defending her against the lies that came from the left?
Anyway, being a little more (ok, a LOT more) consistent in your alleged principles when it comes to people of color might stop the bleeding. But there's an awful lot of blood already on the floor. And please don't use the lame argument that the republicans are worse. The republicans don't go around claiming that that's what they're all about. Even though by their deeds, either by accident or on purpose, it turns out they are.
Dennis Tester Mac-Groveland
a.k.a. Mazasapa (Black Iron) Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux
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