Does Race Matter? 3/6/07

Good Morning Flint
vlogg at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3yQbhEMlpc 03/06/07

Whites that are good people should run for the Flint School Board or the 68th District Court. Good people that happen to be African American will give you a fair hearing before they decide their vote.

Like anybody else you have to work for political support. Following is a repost of mine with comments , edited only as to length no content added, from Flint Town Talk and Flint Talk with my rebuttal with an accompaning Vlogg.

Flint Talk Politcal thread, Good Morning Flint at http://flinttalk.com/viewforum.php?f=2
Good Morning Flint. 03/04/07

My wife and I attended the NAACP Freedom Fund dinner last Saturday night.

What a great evening! The speakers were well received, the food delicious and the guests were dressed in their best.

I watched several of the candidates in the upcoming Mayoral contest work the room.

I wondered to my self what chance will these candidates have in a city wide race in an African American City.

I exempted the Mayoral race itself because Williamson is an incumbent with extensive community ties and history.

But what if there were no incumbents, would a white have a chance?

Recently I sponsored a workshop on Educational issues in Flint. Several candidates were among the 88 participants.

Do any of the white candidates have a chance when running for a seat against an African American opponent in the Flint Board of education race and the 68th District Court seat being vacated by Judge McAra in Flint Michigan?

Both seats , school board and 69th District Court, are in the City of Flint. Flint is 55-60 percent African American in registered voters.

Why should whites expect to receive any support from the African American community if their African American opponent possessed good qualities? I listen closely to the young African American speaker at the NAACP dinner.

I heard no talk of inclusion. His parents fought for equal civil rights . His message was one of equal economic rights. I do not believe I ever heard the word inclusion. Please tell me if I am wrong. So where are we today?

Will a white candidate get a fair hearing? Given the history of civil rights in this county I do not criticize the African American community for promoting to public position good citizens from their community over any white.

Just let the whites know if they are wasting their time.

So here is my point, can white candidates with extensive community backgrounds and qualifications expect to get an evaluation of competency before political support is decided in Flint races by the African American Leadership and community?

Running for public office is a hard thing to do. There is an extreme personal cost on the candidate, the candidates family and friends. Some of the white candidates for the Flint Board of Education have supported civil rights and affirmative actions all of their lives.

What a disappointment it would be to have a community vote against them simply because they were white.

So again my question is will a qualified white get a fair hearing when competing against a good African American candidate in the Flint School Board election or the soon to be vacant City of Flint 68th District Court seat? Or is there effectively a sign “ Whites do not need to apply?”

I do not know the answer. I only have an opinion and hope for inclusion, but it may just be wishful thinking. I do not think it is wishful thinking that whites can win in African American, Black, Districts.

Its just a new experience for whites to face prejudice. Whites must now have the Audacity of Hope that race does not matter. That good people will vote for good people that share their values and issues positions. The best will rise no matter what the community.

We must look to Barack Obama in his book “ The Audacity of Hope” when talking of professionals and politicians he stated on page 241. “... you won’t hear these men and women use race as a crutch or point to discrimination and as a excuse for failure.”

I have learned from this discussion. I hope you have also.

What do you think?
Terry Bankert
attorneybankert@yahoo.com

RESPONSES FOLLOW --
The numbered post are from Flint Town Talk
http://www.mlive.com/forums/flint/index.ssf

10315.1. Should blacks apply? by cyclepillz, 3/4/07 13:32 ET

Look, blacks vote for white candidates at a MUCH higher rate then whites voting for blacks. Can you imagine Grand Blanc or Fenton or Clio voting in a black mayor. The candidate could be Obama or Powell and they'd STILL cast their vote for the white guy. [Good Point, I think you are correct.-TRB] --

10315.1.1. Ya can't exempt Ex-Con Don by cyclepillz, 3/4/07 14:10 ET

For better or for worse he is a candidate whose appeal crosses racial lines. Flint is one off the most segregated cities in America s for a white candidate to all of a sudden show up in the black community looking for votes could be viewed as disingenuous pandering. Dayne, Dale, and the rest don't stand a chance because they will be perceived as opportunistic outsiders who are not in touch with the needs of the African-American community.

Now when it comes to the school board you will see white candidates elected who have a high profile in the African American community. They will have to be stellar to stick out. [ I took out Williamson because I thought his arrival after the receivership and use of his own wealth make him the exception. Now I agree with you. He was the best choice for Flint at this time in our history. The good people made the right decision. That should not be discounted.-TRB] --

10315.1.2. SO whites should apply... by terrybankert, 3/4/07 15:01 ET SO

the answer is that whites should apply, knowing that they have to work a little harder. White candidates are experiencing nothing different from what black candidates have experienced for 100 years. In the long view blacks are fairer that whites are already. I agree Terry Bankert --

10315.1.2.1. The problem with Flint by WingMasterGL, 3/4/07 16:04 ET

is that it is top heavy with incompetent black management that was hired in during the Stanley administration. These people can't manage to keep on a budget they can't keep from fighting and bickering among themselves and most are unqualified for the positions they currently hold. And the Flint school Board is no better off.

If the black community could find a highly qualified candidate to run for mayor why didn't they have him run against Mayor Williamson in the last election. And If they can find one today why are they not supporting him Now. ---

10315.1.2.1.1. So whites can get elected to.. by terrybankert, 3/4/07 16:13 ET

the Flint School board. I heard your other comments but here I am considering how to consult with friends who are running on how to win. Some are black some white. What I hear is good people will prevail. TRB ____

10315.1.2.1.1.1. Good question by yankeesrule6, 3/4/07 20:14 ET

First of all cycle you are so annoying, but anyways Terry asked a good question. If you were to ask Herbert Cleaves, I am sure he would think differently. The sad thing is that it should be the most qualified candidate no matter what color, race, gender etc. Obviously in Flint unless you are black you don't stand much of a chance.

IN all honesty this has hurt the Flint schools, because they already had highly intelligent, totally competent superintendent (Chow) and they ran him out of town for the totally incompetent ( black) man they have now, simply because ole Hebert wanted a black man. Now if Milton could do the job, then fine, but he is screwing things up immensely. Also, Cleave's again criticized the Flint teachers. Rather than saying they work hard in very difficult conditions he said and I quote, "We simply don't have enough black teachers", hmmmm......that sounds racist to me, but according to cycle only BLACKS can be victims of race, right? It's sad that it isn't about who is most qualified, or who wants the best for the city and Flint school systems, but if the city continues to elect like Cleaves, than comes down to the color of skin, and that is a shame. Also, why is there not a United Caucasian College Fund, or the NAACP- the National Academy for the Advancement of Caucasian people?

Oh, because that would be racist, right? I only hope that when the City schools totally fall apart that they ( Cleaves and the other ignorant sb members) have enough sense to hire a new superintendent who can do the job and who is qualified, and that being said hopefully the main criteria is not skin color. __

10315.1.2.1.1.1.1. When the state comes in to take over the schools, they won't look by mom23under12, 3/4/07 21:27 ET

at skin color and everyone will have to live with it. If the voters of Flint elect the same people into the school board this election, then they deserve what they get!! __

10315.2. Audacity of Hope by terrybankert, 3/5/07 9:03 ET

I do not think it is wishful thinking that whites can win in African American, Black, Districts. Its just a new experience for white to face prejudice. Whites must now have the Audacity of Hope that race does not matter. That good people will vote for good people that share their values and issues positions. The best will rise no matter what the community.

We must look to Barack Obama in his book “ The Audacity of Hope” when talking of professionals and politicians he stated on page 241. “... you won’t hear these men and women use race as a crutch or point to discrimination and as a excuse for failure.” I have learned from this discussion. I hope you have also. __

10315.2.1. In a city like Flint by WingMasterGL, 3/5/07 12:37 ET

race will always be an issue. Former Mayor Woodrow Stanley saw to that. He made race an issue every time things didn't go his way. __

10315.2.1.1. Legacy of White Racism by cyclepillz, 3/5/07 13:08 ET
Don't make it sound like blacks are the only ones guilty of racism. Whites on this forum never take any responsibility. [Here he is talking about Flint Town Talk not Flint Talk] ___

10315.2.1.1.1. It's really... by saxmanSA80, 3/5/07 14:54 ET
easy to paint everyone with a broad stroke, even if it makes your statement untrue. __

10315.2.1.1.1.1. I simply stated to facts by WingMasterGL, 3/5/07 17:06 ET

Stanley was a major league racist to the point where even after being recalled from office instead of bowing out with class He stood in front of the press and loudly proclaimed Quote (The stench of racism will linger in the nostrils of Flint for years to come)The man didn't have even the last shred of dignity left he had to cry racism to the very end. Like the coward he was he never took responsibility for what he did to the city. __

10315.2.1.1.1.1.1. Amen Wingmas...... by yankeesrule6, 3/5/07 18:31 ET

Stanley is the biggest racist of all. Cycle thinks that only blacks can be victims of racism, but how about Herbert Cleaves, Stanley, Ricky Hampton, are they not racist towards whites? Like I said, how come there is not a United Caucasian College Fund, why? Because, that would be racist. I am sick of people like Stanley, Hampton , and Cleaves using the race card every time something doesn't go their way.

Prime example- Cleaves wanted a black super, and he now has one, and even though he is totally mucking up the job, HEY, at least he is black, right Cleaves??? Cycle, you are no better than them. Is there racism in Genesee County? I am sure there is, but hey the door swings both ways buddy, so quit thinking so one sided. Take off your blinders man! __

10315.2.1.1.1.1.2. Here is what... by saxmanSA80, 3/5/07 22:08 ET

you stated... "Whites on this forum never take any responsibility." That has nothing to do with any facts. It is painting a broad, negative picture of a specific group and is not factual. __ From JBToolFist I applaud you for being willing to ask the tough questions that few people really want to talk about openly.

Until we are willing to deal with these questions/issues head on, with frank discussion and dialogue, the race issue will just continue to fester in the subconscious of everybody. African Americans who "get it" recognize that in this day and age, it's not about working "for the man" or "against the man," it's about working "WITH the man." Flint is one of the most racially divided cities in America. And look at what we have to show for it (unemployment, crime, low tax revenue, apathy, fear.)

Hopefully Flint voters are savvy enough to recognize and vote for talent/quality and not race in the upcoming elections (and that goes for whites and blacks.) JBToolFist From Flint Talk __

What do you Think?

I think the answer is good people should run for public office no matter where they live.

Whites that are good people should run for the Flint School Board or the 68th District Court. Good people that happen to be African American will give you a fair hearing before they decide their vote.

Like anybody else you have to work for political support.

Terry Bankert 03/06/07 attorneybankert@yahoo.com

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