The Democratic Primary is over and all of the victors can expect to win in the General Election. But like a chemistry test of a struggling student, the results reveal where you are and where you need to go. As for the African-American community, the strategy is still clear although not always immediately embraced by those claiming to represent our interests. And that’s regardless of their hue.
Slay won re-election, but you can’t say that his administration or his candidacy excited St. Louis voters. In a city where there are approximately 200,000 registered voters, Slay’s 25,000 supporters wouldn’t even have filled half the Edward Jones Dome which seats 65, 000. I don’t want to hear anything about a “mandate.” The City of St. Louis has big issues and racism is near the top of the list.
For most enlightened black people in this town, Slay’s administration has the effect of watching “Roots,” the television miniseries about our odyssey from African to America. Yeah, you remember how you felt when you went to work after each night of viewing the series. You were mad as hell—and white folks felt it. Slay has black folks in a perpetual state of post-“Roots” syndrome.
Slay’s tone and strategy to uphold white supremacy is what gives the green light to JC and the U-man making racist remarks on KHITS 96.3 radio about blacks who attended the Spinks fight. It gives the thumbs up to white cops to beat us down and sabotages community efforts to secure police accountability through a civilian oversight bill. It delights in throwing a few dollars into the ‘hood and watching black folks fight over them. It paints a rosy picture of the plantation when you live a different reality.
It goes to say that there will be continued resistance by all progressive-thinking citizens to Slay’s policies. There will be retribution for those black elected officials who supported the mayor. The mayor’s victory party looked a lot like his cabinet of decision-makers—void of color.
Youthful contenders stirred it up in the 3rd and 17th wards and had they been more seasoned campaigners, the outcome may have been different. Incumbents need to heed their constituents and serve accordingly. Newcomers Jeffrey Hardin and Rodney Birchfield could come back stronger and wiser.
In the 5th Ward where forces were duking it out (quite literally), April Ford Griffin had to fight for her political life. The 5th Ward, like too many north side wards, is split in terms of a unified working relationship between the committeepeople and the alderpeople. Inevitable, the people suffer as the focus often becomes who has power and not how to be great public servants.
Irene J. Smith will be missed by many at the Board of Alderman. I thank her for her courage and sacrifice to give us an alternative to Francis Slay. Former state Rep. Charles Troupe will be an able and competent replace for Smith. I hope we will continue to see Smith as a player in the political scene
Critical thinkers and democracy defenders must come together and present a new paradigm for power and race relations in this city. Black and white, straight and gay, men and women, young and not-so young have to come together and present a vision and plan that will kick St. Louis out of the 20th century. Just like old soldiers never die, they just fade away, neither do old-style politicians who rule by deception and authoritarian power. I don’t know about you, but they aren’t fading fast enough.