Columnist Jamala Rogers
This columnist has lamented about the crises of the city of St. Louis for awhile. It is politically, financially, socially, culturally and racially challenged. Anyone who wants to change that dynamic as a public servant or as a servant of the people must be long on vision and implementation skills and short on gab and jab.
Lewis Reed’s stunning victory over incumbent Jim Shrewsbury as president of the Board of Alderpeople has some still shaking their heads in disbelief. Lewis has promised to unite the city in his new position.
A preliminary analysis of the March primary was a reflection that people are tired of the same ol’ same ol’. And though they may not know all they need to know about a new candidate, they surely know that they don’t want more of the same.
Jim Shrewsbury had plenty of money but no substantive record to stand on. White South Side voters who may not have wanted to vote for an African-American candidate voted with their feet and stayed home. No amount of literature or endorsements swayed them to do otherwise.
There were some other surprises.
Conventional wisdom said that the St. Louis Police Officers Association would endorse and support one of their own. The association hailed Matt Browning as a hero when he lost both legs in a car accident caused by a drunk driver while in the line of duty. In the end, they supported the Republican incumbent. So much for blue loyalty.
Kacie Starr Triplett, a young and energetic newcomer, is the 6th Ward alderwoman. This ended speculation that African Americans would lose representation on the Board of Alderpeople.
There is a momentum that is growing. It seems to be aimed at those who think their privilege to rule is rooted in their skin and their status in life. These folks think they are entitled to more status, more unearned influence and access to more money and power.
Voters have stopped them cold in the last two school board elections and now in the Board of Alderpeople. Others who have taken voters for granted have to see the handwriting over the St. Louis Arch and know that some of them are on borrowed time.
My hope is still that we stop playing Russian roulette politics, guessing that the next candidate will get into office and do the right thing, Sometimes we can end up with a revolving door. Yes, we do have the right and moral authority to get people out of office who aren’t serving in our best interests, but we must have some level of assurance based on a track record that we are electing a person of integrity and of action.
This could be a new beginning for a city mired in plantation politics, backroom deals and perpetuation of all that’s self-serving and elitist. We have an opportunity to build a city that belongs to most and where there is equal access and equal benefits for its citizens.
There’s a long road ahead for St. Louis, City of Dred Scott, but right now I’m feeling the sunshine.