The “you kill my cat and I will kill your dog” mentality among black politicians has gotten this community nowhere. Political vendettas have killed many careers in North St. Louis. Sharon Tyus, Irene J. Smith and Velma “Gene” Bailey were among the loudest and most consistent critics of former Mayor Freeman R. Bosley Jr. Currently, not one of these people is in office. Where did fighting get them?
The Tyus household was recently landed its third political defeat in a row after the redistricting bill that eliminated the 20th Ward. Tyus has also fallen out with Irene and her former ally, Alderman Charles Q. Troupe. Smith has held no office since losing the mayoral race by more than 2 to 1. Bailey lost her last three elections miserably as well. As the only black candidate in at least a five-person race, she came in a distant second for president of the Board of Alderman 11 years ago. She then lost her aldermanic seat by embarrassing numbers on two occasions. Add Sandi Colquitt to the ranks of black infighters who have lost and lost big. Wake up, people!