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Is it any wonder why Michael Brown was murdered in Ferguson? I mean, the population is mostly black, but the mayor is white, as are five of the six city council members; and apparently only three of the 53 Ferguson police officers are black.
It’s quite clear the black community in Ferguson is underrepresented in both city government and on the police force. And there is an effort, in the wake of Brown’s murder, to change that; Ferguson has a 12% voter participation rate.
There is a massive drive to register black voters in Ferguson and not everyone is happy about that because, as Matt Wills, the Executive Director of the Missouri Republican Party seems to suggest, blacks vote for Democrats and whites vote for Republicans.
In an interview with Breitbart News, Wills seems really poised off about the voter registration booths popping up in Ferguson:
“If that’s not fanning the political flames, I don’t know what is. I think it’s not only disgusting but completely inappropriate.”
No, Wills, it’s actually trying to make sure that the black community is not only represented in government, but that the black community has a voice and is heard, especially in a place where they are the majority being governed and policed by the minority. But then Will calls the murder of Michael Brown a tragedy for everyone:
“This is not just a tragedy for the African American community this is a tragedy for the Missouri community as well as the community of what we call America. Injecting race into this conversation and into this tragedy, not only is not helpful, but it doesn’t help a continued conversation of justice and peace.”
It’s a tragedy for the Brown family; it’s a disgrace for this country, because, once again, we have a young black, unarmed man being gunned down in the street for no apparent reason except for being on the street and being black.
And trying to get the black community involved in politics, represented in government, represented on the police force, giving them a voice in their own community is the best thing the people of Ferguson can do in the memory of Michael Brown.
And it’s telling how afraid this makes the GOP.
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via NCRM
It has been a discouraging week and it is only Wednesday
ReplyDeleteI think I read somewhere that if the same proportion of African Americans registered and voted as white Americans already do it would practically guarantee Democratic Presidents (as well as majorities in both houses) for at least a generation. So, what could possibly be wrong with that?
ReplyDeleteBtw: It occurred to me to look again at the 'Meet the Kids' section of your blog which I haven't done for a few years now. It didn't take long for my eyes to well up and reach for the tissues. Terribly moving and poignant but also so satisfying.
the constitution guarantees ALL its citizens the right to vote (15th amendment). it says nothing about only WHITE people being allowed to vote.
ReplyDeletethe GOP needs to STFU, and YAYZ for the black community to represent!
Just how is race not an issue in this case? Would Michael Brown have been killed if he'd been white? I think it is doubtful. If he had been white and had been shot by a black police officer I wonder if the GOP would be as quick to support the police as they have in this little ol' Missouri town.
ReplyDelete@Raybeard
ReplyDeleteYeah, we've had some great kids along the way ....
So using the electoral process to address your concerns is "disgusting." Peaceful protest earns you a military-style occupation. What the hell do they want people to do?
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