The good news in here is that a newly energized Black Caucus, under fresh and apparently inspired leadership, is working cooperatively with, shall we say, non-black Democrats.
Last weekend, Bowman, Johnson, state Senator Rita Days and state Rep. Robin Wright-Jones, all members of the Black Caucus’ executive committee from St. Louis, traveled to Truman Days in Kansas City, a major league Democratic pow-wow for Jackson County (Harry Truman’s birthday was celebrated May 8). Typically, black legislators spurn this gig, but these five attended in an effort to break down barriers between Democrats.
The Black Caucus rented a hospitality suite on the main floor and invited African Americans and others from throughout the region for a meet and greet. Showing out were Alvin Brooks, mayor pro tem and candidate for mayor of Kansas City; KC Councilman Terry Riley; a number of key members of Freedom Inc., a large KC-based civil rights organization; Black Caucus members state Senator Yvonne Wilson, state Representative Melba Curls, state Representative Jonas Hughes, state Representative Craig Bland and state Representative Martin Rucker; state Attorney General Jeremiah “Jay” Nixon; former Governor Bob Holden; and State Auditor and U.S. Senate front-runner Claire McCaskill.
Unity among Democrats, black and white, in-state and out? If the Republicans don’t succeed in permanently hacking up the right to vote in this state, who knows? There might be hope.