On this 2nd day of the Maryland General Assembly and incidently the birthday of Dr. Martin L. King, those who work against the interests of our community are already busy.
I just received information that Del. Jill Carter (D-41) is being moved from the House Judiciary Committee to the Environmental Committee as punishment for her outspoken and sincere critique of policies that would harm (or have harmed) Maryland’s Black Community and impoverished community.
As the only Black, female lawyer with a consistent sensitivity and sensibility for the downtrodden and marginalized on the House Judiciary Committee, it is unacceptable to lose her voice on such a critical committee.
Del. Jill Carter is being targeted and isolated because of her track-record of standing up for the poor, the marginalized, and the forgotten. Put plainly, I am of the belief that Governor Martin O’Malley – a politician who has publicly stated that he “doesn’t support anything that Del. Carter is for”, is attempting to silence the one consistent voice that Black Baltimoreans especially have come to rely on in Annapolis.
Putting Del. Jill Carter on the Environmental Committee under the Chairmanship of Del. Maggie McIntosh – another Baltimore politician who walks in stride with the Governor even when it will harm her constituents – will effectively limit the flow of information and legislative support that many of us have come to expect from Del. Carter.
How does the leading vote getter in all of Baltimore get treated like this?
How does the highest graded state legislator by far get treated like this? (based on the 2008 NAACP Report Card)
How does a consistent and principled champion of our community get treated like this?
Because we allow it.
We allow the opponents of our community’s agenda to treat the true servants of our people viciously and without regard to the community’s response. They do it because they know we won’t do anything about it. We’ll mourn Del. Jill Carter (D-41) when she’s gone and speak in flowery words about her consistent dedication to our community, but will we fight for her now like she’s fought for us? I pray that we will.
We don’t need Del. Jill Carter (D-41) on the Environmental Committee under someone who will work to keep her silent and isolated. We NEED Jill Carter on the Judiciary Committee to continue to speak to those issues that most times have dramatic ramifications on our life under the law.
It’s not just about Del. Jill Carter. It’s about us. It’s about having somebody down there in the midst of those who care nothing for us, to inform, alert, organize, and mobilize the masses on the issues that matter most to us.
Call the Speaker of the House, Michael Busch to demand that Del. Jill Carter (D-41) be kept on the Judiciary Committee! Call him now! His number is: (410) 841-3800.
The message is: KEEP DELEGATE JILL CARTER ON THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE!
The Struggle Continues,
Rev. Heber Brown, III
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Called Busch’s office. As of 11:30am Friday, I was told that the committee list was not finalized just yet and they did not think that she was being moved. They did not deny that it has been talked about, so waiting to see what happens next. I voiced my concern if they did switch her around.
Thanks C.S. Update coming.
I’ve followed Del. Carter’s work on the Judiciary Committee. It’s ashamed that she may be stripped of her powers.
I don’t believe that the powers that be are going to accept the outspoken minority incumbent or minority candidate anymore. Even Barak Obama was told during his campaign, that he was to never display any anger. Consider what happened to Cynthia McKinney…!
Minority candidates will have to behave more President Obama did during the campaign. No more loudmouths like Jessie …!