If there’s one indisputable fact about blacks in St. Louis, it’s that we know how to kill one another. And I’m not talking about the obvious, the factors that contribute to our moniker as one of the deadliest cities in America. I’m talking about black politicians, specifically black aldermen.
Last year, five black aldermen let their egos and backwards agendas betray common sense. Everyone who could count their fingers realized that the cadre of competing black candidates would cancel each other out in the race. And, as predicted, the lone, heavily-funded white candidate, Lyda Krewson, supported by the previous race-insensitive, white mayor, won the election.
Why wasn’t the election a wake-up call? One would think the black aldermen would have had a come-to-Jesus, soul-searching moment. After complacently signing off on millions upon millions of taxpayer dollars toward developments in predominantly white wards, why, oh why, aren’t black aldermen working toward unity and black empowerment?
Apparently, some are still stuck in “let’s kill each other” mode. Take for example 22nd Ward Alderman Jeffrey Boyd’s attempt to reign in the travel and professional development budget of Treasurer Tishaura O. Jones. Boyd, in his dual role as alderman and member of the city’s Parking Commission, was successful in getting the Board of Aldermen to pass the measure against Jones.
Let’s not focus on the fact that Jones received more votes than Boyd, who also ran in the 2017 mayoral race. Never mind that in 2012, then state Representative Jones beat Boyd in the contentious treasurer’s race, after he insinuated she was “a stalking horse” candidate. Boyd says his actions toward the treasurer’s office are all about “good government policy, transparency and accountability.” Fine. Great. I’ll take his word.
But, as this newspaper noted in a recent editorial, Boyd and the Board of Aldermen did not seek to reduce any other city official’s budget at a time when the city is cutting services to the poorest wards in the city. In all honesty, Boyd’s actions lend to The American’s charge that he’s just a “disgruntled loser” making a petty attempt to punish Jones, a political rival.
Even if Boyd’s motivations are pure, his timing sucks. Krewson lost the election to Jones by a mere 888 votes. Jones, who came so close to upsetting the apple cart, is still a threat to the privileged and powerful. Now is the time to figure out a way to shift money and resources to long-ignored and underserved wards of color by any means necessary. It is the time for solidarity, unity, and the building a strong black political powerbase, not grandiose attempts to dilute black power.
The black/white political dynamic in the city is changing. Jones has garnered the support of progressive, young, white South Side aldermen. Two newly-elected young, black aldermen, Alderman John Collins-Muhammad (21st Ward) and Brandon Bosley (3rd Ward), have been chosen to lead the African-American Aldermanic Caucus. Both have expressed a desire to pursue the interest of the city’s black communities.
Collins-Muhammad has introduced two powerful board bills recently that, in my opinion, could lead to sweeping changes in North St. Louis. Board Bill #187 requires the Land Reutilization Authority (LRA) to sell properties to residents for one dollar, based upon the approval of the alderman of such wards. Board Bill #169 calls for a comprehensive urban agriculture plan. This one is based on best practices of other cities like Detroit, New York and Kansas.
From my research, this type of legislation will help food policy experts, community gardeners, and urban farming entities like my Sweet Potato Project. It will lead to the creation of Agricultural Zones in urban areas. These areas will be applicable for federal, state, and local resources that’s exclusively enjoyed by rich and wealthy developers backed by political clout.
Collins-Muhammad told me he’s expecting a fight from some white progressives and one or two black aldermen on the bills. Maybe its self-serving, but I’d like to see some unification and solidarity behind these efforts. If white progressives are to be “progressive,” they need to back efforts that white conservatives may loath or ignore. Black politicians must move beyond age or seniority biases and embrace young, black leadership. Admittedly, I don’t know all the details of either bill but surely there’s a way to build consensus on a plan that would give ordinary, low-income residents a chance to reclaim land and build sustainable futures for themselves.
On the first day of Black History Month, the African-American Aldermanic Caucus raised the red, black, and green pan-African flag on the flagpole outside City Hall. The ceremony, now in its 5th year, is in recognition of what African Americans have contributed to the world.
It was a heartfelt but symbolic gesture. The focus of our times should be on what black politicos can do to stimulate equitable growth in St. Louis. We must move beyond symbolism and toward substance. Politicians moan and cry about the black murder rate in North St. Louis. But figurative killing is just as damning as literal killing. They should lead by example. We can slow the literal killing by creating neighborhoods that inspire, sustain, and protect young people. Perhaps a sound start is black aldermen looking at their own casualties and incomprehensible desire to kill one another.
Sylvester Brown Jr. is a writer, community activist and executive director of the Sweet Potato Project, a program that seeks to empower low-income youth and adults through land-ownership and urban agriculture.
