The Sad Story of Compromised Leading Blacks in Baltimore
After a season of strategic separation, Martin O’Malley and Sheila Dixon are back together again - this time to help Sheila become the Mayor of Baltimore City.
Today, O’Malley and Kweisi Mfume (who also has been mysteriously absent from the public sphere since facing allegations of his involvement in the ouster of Tyrone Powers from the airwaves of 88.9FM in January) endorsed Sheila Dixon at the War Memorial Plaza downtown.
A large crowd of luminaries were on stage in support of Dixon and today’s endorsement including : Sen. Nathaniel McFadden, Sen. Catherine Pugh, Delegates Maggie McIntosh, Curt Anderson, Melvin Stukes, Cheryl Glenn, City Council President Stephanie Rawlings Blake, City Council Vice President Robert Curran, and even Dr. Frank Reid, pastor of Bethel AME Church.
Interestingly enough, Martin O’Malley called Dixon “a constant advocate for the best interest of the majority of the people of the city.” However, that view is far from a consensus. Creators of the accountability site: The Truth About Sheila Dixon, want to remind voters that Dixon has often looked out for her best interest and the interest of her “Boss”- Martin O’Malley.
Bordering on the utterly profane, O’Malley said that when he was Mayor he joined with then city council president Sheila Dixon to “face our city’s challenges and our problems head on.” He went on to say, ” We were able to make our city a safer place, a healthier place, a cleaner place. We were able to make our school system improve and our kids continue to make progress.” [I promise I didn't make this up]
O’Malley and Dixon - the “partners in progress” made Baltimore safer, healthier, and cleaner? They made the school system improve? How then do you justify the annual 200+ homicide rate [no link needed], the HIV/AIDS epidemic, the toxic dumps that poison residents, and the distinction of our school system having the third worst graduation rate in the nation?
I mean come on people. I know that many people who come to this site support various candidates in this race, but I implore you to look at the facts! How can all of those people who were on that stage listening to O’Malley talk about Dixon and Baltimore sit there with a straight face and a clear conscious? Do you mean to tell me that the O’Malley political machine controls ALL of them?
The fact is that Baltimore City is in a death spiral and the two so-called leading candidates - Dixon and Keiffer Mitchell have been at the switch. Sheila Dixon has been in elected office since 1987! 20 years people! Keiffer has been on the council since 1995 along with Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. Can you seriously suggest that they bear no responsibility for the condition of Baltimore City? I’m not saying that they pulled the trigger, but goodness sakes - they were at least driving the getaway car!
Look - I’m not even saying that they are bad people, I’m sure that they all are great individuals with fascinating personalities. However, it is sheer insanity to elect the same people into office year after year and expect different results. It’s obvious that these individuals have been compromised so much so that they no longer are able to serve the community. Maybe when they first got into office they agreed to “go along to get along” thinking that eventually they would earn their “freedom” and be able to go back and help the masses, but what they’ve learned is that once you ingratiate yourself to the elitist power structure, you have in essence sold your soul to the devil. You’ll never be free. The claws will be in too deep and to separate yourself from this parasitic relationship is to risk political suicide. Your political and professional survival will depend upon your undying loyalty to those who don’t have the best interest of your people at heart.
I presume that this is what has happened to Sheila Dixon, Keiffer Mitchell, Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Kweisi Mfume, and the list goes on and on. Such a sad commentary that is representative of what has happened to many “leading Blacks” who started out with the potential to be ”Black Leaders.” (Julia Hare clarifies the distinction between the two) None of them got into public service saying that they want political power so they can betray their people. I believe that they wanted to make a difference and leave a powerful legacy behind, but they took too many steps along the downward road. That road is wide and crowded.
And now they have no choice, but to call on “Massa” to come and endorse them. Dixon’s numbers are in trouble. I agree with Paul Blair. She wouldn’t have called on O’Malley and Mfume if she was doing fine. The Sun poll was weeks ago, but mainstream media is still reporting it like it was yesterday. The “undecideds” are deciding and lets hope for Baltimore’s sake that on September 11, 2007, they don’t vote for the status quo, business as usual, take their words for it candidates.
Please Baltimore. Put your personal friendships and elementary justifications (i.e. “I’m voting for Sheila because she’s Black.” or “I’m voting for Sheila because she’s a woman.”) aside before our city is completely raped by the selfish and our children rise up to curse us as cowards who sided with Goliath for fear that there was no power strong enough to defeat the giants.
August 14th, 2007 at 6:03 pm
The City of Baltimore is thee worst I have seen in my
three decades walking the earth. Our young people
need STRONG…Dedicated Uncompromising NEW
Leadership such as Jill P. Carter or Audrey Bundley.
It’s time for the yes man/woman to exit…..
Peace
August 14th, 2007 at 6:28 pm
What did u expect from the power hungry egotistical likes of these current elected and non-elected (Mfume) officials?! These individuals are the phoniest, double-talking backstabbers we have in Baltimore politics. I’ve worked for 2 of the 3 mentioned as “headliners” and can honestly tell you from an inside uncompromising view that they have no morals (or principles) and are the most arrogant individuals I have ever encountered! I hope and continously pray that things don’t remain in the hands of these folks or this City will be in some serious trouble!
P.S. However we need to stop just complaining about what’s wrong and how unreliable these officials are and begin to build our own political machine that works directly for and has direct involvement of the everyday common residents of this City!
August 14th, 2007 at 9:20 pm
The list of black leaders who have sold their souls for political gains without accountability speaks volumes about the backward/slave/tom mentality that permeates the air here in Baltimore. Surely you can see why “they” get away with what they do. Who challenges the powers that be when the “Kingmaker” Frank Reid helps these people get elected but not without a price.(Can you say sweetheart deal with Pier Six which is nothing more than political payback). And why is Elijah Cummings even allowed to hold office. I don’t care how many people he helped in the 70’s or early 80’s, he isn’t helping black people now. Vote him out people. There is no such thing as a lifelong position if you are not helping your own. Just because you bang on a desk at a hearing for steroids or global warming or Homeland Security(which last time I checked isn’t affecting the working class Blacks here in B’More who need real help) does not make you for your own and your own kind. When will we wake up? These folks have to be kicked out of office. They mean neither you or I any good whether in office or the pulpit.
August 14th, 2007 at 9:40 pm
Julie - I couldn’t agree more.
Architect - I appreciate your perspective as one who worked closely with these people. I was giving them the benefit of the doubt that they were good people, but it seems that you have seen them behind the curtain. Also, I agree with you that we need to build a political machine. Let me say that it isn’t beneficial to post everything to a website where many eyes are watching, but know that things are in motion. I’ll be in touch with you soon about it.
Common Sense - lol. Don’t worry about the typos, I’ll take care of them. Just keep bringing the truth! I’m thankful that there are others like you out there. Stay close comrade.
August 14th, 2007 at 10:54 pm
Hey Heber,
When looking at the current election paradigm in Baltimore City and in the state of Maryland one has to look back to whether we have ever had a strong genuine African American (male or female) in top offices (mayor or governor) that was truly for African Americans and about African Americans. Clarence DuBurns, Kurt L. Schmoke, Michael Steele and Sheila Dixon made history being the first African American lieutenant governor of Maryland and first African Americans to hold mayoral offices in Baltimore City, which in its own rights opens doors for many other African Americans to come through the political portals. Many people will shout kudos to these seats being held by these historical persons, while others like myself; see it as nothing more than a political game being played by the masses. Meaning, it’s hard to shout when African Americans make history in some cases because it often at the cost of the continuation of the downtrodden of our culture. This is not to dismiss that people as individuals are responsible and accountable for their own actions. Heber, we are facing a troubled system that goes far beyond politics, we are in a serious classis war. African American who consider themselves to have “made it†do not see themselves apart of struggle anymore or they do not see themselves as needing to help the disinherited transition out of their “funk. What’s the use of African Americans opening doors only to have them closed on the very culture they represent?
Hence, this mayoral race reminds me of the scene in Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison in which the main character is pushed into a blindfolded “battle royal†(fight) with other black men. During this scene, white men (representing the majority voice) are standing around them hurling denigrating clichés and words at each of them, but it’s also like a bet because silver coins are being hurled as each fighter take a punch at one another. Emblematically, the scene introduces the theme of struggle among blacks for an elusive prize that often remains out of reach—a distinct metaphor to the “Battle Royal of 7 Black Mayoral Candidates†taken place at City Hall. The tokens hurled at the black fighters suggest the futile, empty gesture inherent in tokenism—the practice of including a select few blacks into white society without granting all blacks social equality as well as social responsibility — metaphorical of whoever wins the Baltimore City mayoral election. I end with saying, 53 years after Brown vs. Board of Education we have not learned that we are stronger when we fight together and not against one another. Not to mention, this kind of demonic thinking has walked in the churches and taken its seat in the pulpits of many African American Churches…where are the PROPHETS?
August 15th, 2007 at 9:20 am
[...] if my assumption is correct, not to many people are happy…well at least this guy is [...]
August 15th, 2007 at 11:02 am
It is indeed a sad story to think that there might be some hard working, well-meaning residents in Baltimore who will “fall for,†er, “swallow”..oops believe the hype. We can’t be so asleep that we think that those who have been in office and making major decisions and leading our city down a spiral staircase will do anything differently just because they hold a different office/title. Sheila Dixon has said publicly that the best our city can do to provide for our youth is to provide low-income housing for them–at least, that was her answer to a question I asked her in a public forum. Implicit in her answer was that we don’t have to provide our children with a high-quality education—we can give up on them and they can live in low-income housing sprinkled among the more affluent residential housing.
The status quo must be laid to rest; business as usual in Baltimore must be eradicated; the let’s-pretend-that-everything-is-all right mentality in our city must die. It is not all right for our children to receive a less than stellar education; it is not all right for our children to continue to kill each other and us; it is not all right that long-time city residents are being forced out of the city because we can’t afford the $400,000-and-up gentrification of Baltimore City. Those who have been in control should not receive another chance to betray well-meaning and trusting people who might believe things will get better under the same leadership. It is truly time for a changing of the guard and if we don’t make that change on September 11th I’m afraid that it will be too late for our children, our seniors, and all of the rest of us who love Baltimore and want to honor it by really making it a better place to live and raise a family.
August 15th, 2007 at 12:21 pm
@Zattura Sims-El
Amen. Gentrification is exactly what is happening and the political fat cats have all signed off on it. At the expense of the hard working, well meaning but blind people who continue to keep the same ol’, same ol’ people in office. Really, I’m ready to move out of Baltimore. I have seen other cities and in Orlando, San Antonio, Phoenix, Atlanta, Jacksonville and Harlem USA. People are not living like people live here. Even though I was vacationing in these places, I always make it a point to go to where the people live. Everywhere has bad areas, but I just didn’t see the public drinking, open air drug trade, community crap game or other city ills that we face EVERY DAY in good ol’ B-More. And my car did not need a front-end allignment from just driving down the streets in the other cities. Is that too much to ask? Basic city services such as smooth streets? In Phoenix they have a machine that you can put your cans in to get money so that cuts down on trash. A better day has to come. I just hope I see it while I’m a resident of this city.
August 15th, 2007 at 7:12 pm
Jill Carter, Andre Bundley, Frank Conaway should have been building some wealth. I mean really organizing very early to generate maximum cash flow. Actually they should have been doing this for life but I guess somehow we’ve put token elections and being a token politician in charge of gaining real wealth and power. I don’t see Chinese or Korean running around talking about voting, but they gain wealth off of black folk back. All by design. Not to say that is like the total top consideration though I think it is up there around 1 and 1 1/2th. I am watching these campaigns very, very closely, reading every paper and listening to various talk radio’s. I have been a little silent since many of us do not have insider information as some of us are privy to. Black individuals are going to have to build some individual power and respect. I’ve seen how this game is played big developers and bankers run the game. They dictate to ALL politicians. Black folk only play with token votes. Even the famed “President’s Round Table” i.e. an elitist group of Blacks have not collectively weighed in publicly. I say to everyone that want to change things how about employing young black males, bottom line. Of course the powers that be would like to create more police and prisons. We must demand a policy of Economic Development vice police containment. I hope everyone will show up at Empowerment Temple to see the debate tomorrow. This campaign has been too nice. We need a Harold Washington type of Campaign. Also, the Need to Grow Ministers back these Sambo’s like Elijah and Mfume. The Negro Ministers have not registered young people to vote. Young black males have nothing coming in Baltimore with these Negro’s and the unconsciousness of the Negro Woman that are now in charge. Brothers if you do not have any skills, wealth, knowledge, networks in Baltimore you are in trouble. Black males will now be trully exterminated under these Unconscious Negro Woman. Rawlings fake said that “The woman must take charge”. They are going to sell out to white woman that is the game. She was targeting white woman and black woman againsts black men.
I appreciate this board, I learn alot and it allows for me to think and organize my thoughts.
August 15th, 2007 at 7:18 pm
Common Sense, If you seriously want to leave, I say don’t leave totally. We need to build a power base in the city. Other groups i.e. YT are taking power away, what little token power we had. Baltimore County folk are unconscious as well and have no power and respect. I would encourage everyone reading this to spend more time at Everyone’s Place Bookstore reading the work of Amos Wilson, Claud Anderson, Jawanzaa Kunjufu, George Frasier, George Subira, Ronald Walters. Brother Heber, I would very much like to sit down with you and give you a true analysis i.e. a REAL BLACK Analysis and history of my work, background and operations. I am reaching out and I have attempted to support your efforts when I could. Its time for some REAL BLACK EMPOWERED LEADERSHIP to STEP UP! Some of these fake leaders have mislead black people even some of those not named and we don’t HAVE absolutely NO TIME to play games ANYMORE!!!
August 15th, 2007 at 9:03 pm
@ Bro Haki,
Encouraging people to read some of the fine works sold at Everyone’s Place would help a lot if folks would listen to you. That place is a gem in a jungle. Reading does not hurt at all. Different views, different ways of looking at the same situation or situations that you know nothing about can only help you to form a clear understanding for yourself. We have a city of followers who don’t think for themselves. Also we must keep up with the business of things through publications like The Wall Street Journal and Barron’s. White people can print financial life-changing information in these newspapers but what Black people would see it(and I’m guilty of not doing this myself). We need God but we don’t need the majority of the clergy in some fashion sucking the life(money) out of our poor and middle class. If a sweeping expose was done on the mismanagement of money given to a lot of these churches, criminal charges would and should be brought up. If people gave 1/20th to Sickle Cell research of what they give to some of these churches, Sickle Cell would be cured. That is what I would call a return on your money. As you can see I find it barbaric for a few people to benefit on the misery, hard times, and despair of a people by telling them your lot in life will be based on how much you give to their church. We need fiscally responsible teachers in our community, showing people what to do with their money not people selling pie in the sky. I’m proud to be Black but I’m not proud of some of the things we have been taught to accept. And yes I believe in God. but God doesn’t need money, his children do.
August 15th, 2007 at 9:43 pm
Bro Nate - I agree with you about African Americans who believe that they have “made it.” They define success as individual achievement - a eurocentric worldview. Whereas the African worldview stresses the interconnectedness of the community so that as we achieve - I achieve. (notice the order) I must say as well that I’m deeply disappointed in the babyboomer generation. Their parents fought, bled, and died so that they would have more opportunities and now that they have walked through the door of opportunity it appears that by and large they prefer to close the door behind them as opposed to lifting as they climb. What has become of the children of the freedom fighters? It appears that they did not inherit the fighting spirit.
Zattura - well said! I agree with you. I pray that we can work together to build the type of Baltimore of which you speak.
Bro. Haki - I agree with your call for economic empowerment and utilizing capital to influence the political sphere. The Believer (idealist) in me doesn’t agree with money-influenced politics, but the Realist in me knows that that is how the game is played. I hear in the wind that some Political Action Committees are being formed. There are some who have their eyes on 2012. You should be a part of the process. You have a valuable perspective. My favorite passage in the Holy Quran reads: “Allah(God) will never change the condition of a people until they change it themselves.” We are the leaders that we need. Let’s all step up together as God directs us. And I must agree with your call for us to make frequent visits to Everyone’s Place. The 2nd floor is a sanctuary to me.
Common Sense - Your critique of the clergy has some very valid points. In some very unfortunate cases members of the clergy have abused the sacredness of their calling and knowingly or unconsciously exploited the condition of the people. Despite some abusers and opportunists in the pulpit, as a younger member of the clergy I am encouraged by the example of so many others who have shown what it means to be a Prophet of God and a Servant of the people. I was blessed with the opportunity to interview one of these types of preachers not long ago on my online radio show: Dr. Marvin McMickle. Listen to the interview when/if you get a chance. I’d be interested in your opinion of him. He wrote a book that I’m recommending to many of my clergy colleagues entitled Where Have All The Prophets Gone? He also implemented a practice at his church in Ohio where the people tithe to the church and the church collects the tithes and invests a tenth of it back into their local community - thus the church tithes just like the members do.
August 17th, 2007 at 3:14 pm
While I don’t agree with everything you write, I have to say your blog is a “must read” for anyone interested in Baltimore politics.
I like just about everything about it.
CED
August 18th, 2007 at 12:33 pm
PROBLEM:
Dixon UTECH
Mitchell WEDTECH
Marcus Brown Pension-wrong decision
no- bid contracts awarded to family and friends
over 200 murdered Baltimoreans this year
$3 million to contractors for school construction but no work done
$56,000 mispent from Mitchell campaign account
failing children, failing schools
killing children, lead poisoning
Kevin Cooper
criminalizing children- 7 yr old arrsted Gerard Mungo
$33 million tax free to billionnaire Paterakis
BGE 50% rate hike
Constellation/BGE donate thousands to Dixon/Mitchell campaigns
no funds for schools, rec centers, youth programs, summer jobs
SOLUTION:
JILL CARTER FOR MAYOR SEPTEMBER 11. Vote or Die!
September 12th, 2007 at 12:14 pm
I detect a lot of vitriol in most of the comments that I read. Look, Kweisi Mfume has served the black community well’ let’s give the man a chance. Let’s at least give him a chance to air his side…, I would like to hear what he has to say about all of this.
It seems like everyone in America of late is after the so-called ‘black leader’, including blacks. Let us not forget where they brought us from, particularly when for two centuries and half leaders from the other side of the spectrum not only ignored us, but wrote or supported legislation that ignored and took away our human rights!
September 12th, 2007 at 3:30 pm
Mr. Mfume and Mr. Cummings are maintainers of the Status Quo. Some one needs to hold these two accountable. Cummings just got a white boy elected. He does not care about black folk.
September 13th, 2007 at 11:38 pm
Rev.Solomon, What has Mfume done for the black community over the past 20 years? Really, I’m not being smart. I don’t know, and if you do, please tell me.
September 16th, 2007 at 8:10 pm
Nicole, Mr. Mfume basically travelled the world on Black folk and the Jewish controllers of the NAACP. The NAACP is limited and will only go to a certain level. I am interested in Wealth Production of which persons like Dr. Anderson speak about.