Smith: Black Prez Needed

If I were on the Board and urged election of a white President I would justly be branded a stinking racist.

Why does Smith , making a similar racist proposal , not deserve similar treatment?

Ron Smith showed his ignorance today. Two years ago he did not support Jackie James to be the first black leader to lead the BOA. You speak with forked tongue and 2nd best is more than you deserve.

"Never in history has there been an African-American president of the Board of Aldermen," Smith remarked during his inaugural speech. Black aldermen have served as majority leader and president pro tempore, but Smith said "second is not good enough.

Give me a break.Across this country,There are lack politicians who would like to use their Black people for selfish greed and will throw them behind any crook with money. The major of Black politicians have sold their Black Brothers and Black Sisters out for self elevation. We have more Black Politicians in office and look at the Conditions in that these Black politicians represent.We don't need no more Black folks in high places.

Smith drew applause with another policy statement: "You want crime to go down? Put prayer back in schools."

Prayer starts at home.Better yet which pray would be used.

Racist much? You should be fired for your outrageous remarks. The board was elected by their constituents, and the elected members elect a president. Should those in power choose to elect someone other than a "Black" president, does that mean they will be unable to govern adequately? The president is voted in, not chosen bu his/ her race--Smith suggests socialism in politics now--(fair an equitable distribution of everything--even political positions by race?) So if you suck, you should still be able to be the president because of your skin color--sounds not only racist, but unconstitutional to me. If you're not elected, get over it! Apparently it is as most people are learning--those like-minded with Smith feel that they can use race as a bully pulpit.

It is rather naieve for anyone in public office to state that it is past time for a black person to hold a political office. This is the 21st century and Black people have been president of the United States, governors, state and city legislators, mayors of major cities, and members of both houses of the U.S.Congress.
As an African American I am all for Black progress and breaking down walls which have hindered that progress. However, I learned long ago that it is possible to be pro-Black without appearing to be being anti-white.
Most people have hopefully matured to believe that the most qualified person should hold a political office regardless of race. I will not and cannot support any candidate simply because they are Black. I examine the candidates' character, reputation, record, position on the issues. Race is the least of my concerns.

Now is the time to call for charter reform. First on the agenda: get rid of the city clerk's position. It is a complete waste of money as this speech represents. The only thing worse than this is his speech to the town committee.

Fools, John put him up to that to keep the in-fighting strong while he decimates the City and does just what the hell he wants. Typical John politics fight eachother while i run loose, SMILE!

And just how is prayer supposed to stop crime? We should be praying that the Almighty will deliver us from this administration.

Pray that we keep state and religion separated (as the founders intended) so that all may pursue their own ecclecticisms and mysticisms without interference from a tyrant either majority or minority.

Someone should really run against this guy...

Smith needs to be fired, but for this:

"You want crime to go down? Put prayer back in schools."

I am an agnostic, , never had school prayer, and somehow I've never sold drugs or shot anyone to death. Smith, keep your remarks to yourself.

I found his speech offensive on many levels. An official inauguration is NOT a time for prosthelytizing, let alone rambling on for as long as he did. He spoke longer than any other person there, and that was as his second time up to the podium (the 2nd time not being on the program at all)! Since when is he so important?There were some amazing people being sworn in today!

Another important note for the article--while some distinct pockets of people applauded to his comment about prayer in schools, this was one of the times when there were quite obviously many others who did not agree in the audience.

Wasn't it the city clerk's office so many citizens had problems with last year?
I agree with Noteworthy.

"William Anderson " I agree with you 100%. To some of our blacks in leadership roles it's all about them how they can "line" there pockets. It irritate the "hell" out of me when someone suggest I vote for a candiate just because the person is black. I have seen so many of them in the pass sell their souls to the devil to get what they want. "Look at Toney Dawson" I feel the the same way a lot of other people feel about him "no more respect". It seems to be a game with some of our "so call" black leaders. They will sell the black experience down the road to "trickey" if it gets them what they want. What about community, kids that's dying, education system
that's'polluted'and I could go on and on.
God forbide a real strong "Black Man" like Kermitt Janes decide to say no to his master Johnny Boy. One other thing Our so call "Black Clergy" is a sell out "God is going to send them straight to hell when they get up their in the pulpit and start preaching on Sunday. Should I say "Bully Pulpit" because that's exactly what they use it for. The things that some of them talk about is no where to be founded in the "BIBLE". I have not heard a single one of them come out in support of Kermit James. Remember all you fake minsters with "collars" your "God is watching you". As you would say to your congregation judgement day is comming for you all so.

To City Hall, you're absolutely right. The King is pitting the blacks against the Hispanics. He's doing this because he's very, very worried that Georgie will resign from the Presidency and run for Mayor. That's George's plan, and he's no better. But the King won't like that, so he's got to turn the blacks against the Hispanics so that there will be in-fighting, and George's plan will fail. .... Anyone and everyone, who compromises themselves for a job or a position, is so lacking in character that it is sinful. Can't they make it on their own in the real world without John DeStefano as their master? You're all slaves, even if your not black. Afraid to speak your mind....spying on one another.....compromising your morality and selling your soul for a job or position, or to be in HIS circle. It's so very sad.
... Even sader is that the taxpayers let this stuff go on.

I agree that the statement is Racist..Smith is never in his office...Sally Brown runs the office....it's a shame soon the Mayor and him and Mayo will get big raises....I see it coming...they don't need this position...

What has Smith had to say about anything in the last who knows how many years? This is all a part of his effort to line himself up as a potential mayoral candidate. Give me a break...

The auction begins.Integrity and moral courage for sale. SMH

How is it racist to point out that black minorities have failed to achieve the same level of success that majorities have achieved? He is pointing to something troubling--despite a large number of black BoA members over the years, none of them have attained the role of president.

Is it due to direct racism? Well, I'm not inclined to think so (nor does he claim it is), but could it be due to subtle racism, and the reality that the black members of the BoA tend to come from economically disadvantaged neighborhoods and don't have the resources or luxuries that other alders enjoy? Absolutely.

It may not be the direct result of someone being racist--but the reality is troubling and should make everyone question why it is so.

Racism is subtle and pervades our lives on a daily basis. I'm not too surprised to see other people of privilege (i.e. white men) not realizing it as they charge counter-racism. If people in my group acknowledged the enormous societal privilege we benefit from, racism would truly end.

For now, however, racism is alive & well, and you can see it in action on any street corner in New Haven.

GetReal
Do you actually want to "getreal" and talk about what privilege means, why it is racist that a black person has never been Board president, and how racism has a daily effect on others lives?

I encourage you to reach out to someone who has actually had a chance to experience racism and ask them about their experiences.

I used to agree with you--growing up in an all white rural town with no exposure to the real world. I'm ashamed of the way I saw the world as a young person now, having taken the time to speak to people with very different backgrounds from my own and learning about their lives. I'm embarrassed and ashamed that I once held views like yours, and so grateful that I had a chance to abandon them.

Just look at e picture.nntwo so-called preachers (Kimber and red Dog). When was the last time a man of e cloth went by the nickname red dog? Anyway, Smith's position is a significant waste of money. It is a part time position paying roughly 40,000 a year, while e hard working ladies in the office do all the work. Ron Smith is ridiculous, and so is DeStefano. The BOA does not need a black president, (and I am black), it needs a courageous and smart one. Jorge Perez is not at person. The union stayed out of the general election so that it could get Perez the presidency and then run him for Mayor. Watch out fir him, he is a complete sell out and has no affinity for anyone who does jot help him. He would be no better than DeStefano.

CJ: I don't like Smith's job, but as a man, he is a kind and good-hearted person. His job shouldn't exist--I agree. However, calling his statement "racist" is completely incorrect. Smith calling for parity and equality is the opposite of racism.

Americans have institutionalized racism, calling it "excellence"--we have a system where we only promote "the absolute best", and we do it with a rigged testing system.

The metrics we use are rarely relevant to the application or the job--they are often designed to exclude and diminish people of color or minorities.

Women make less than men--ostensibly because they take maternity leave. Why do we reward a slavish devotion to work to the detriment of familial love? Why do we punish women for doing what our men should also be doing? We expect our women to raise healthy, stable families, and treat them as such--yet we don't reward them for it, we stick them with it. Countries that care about families and building strong communities offer incentives to women--and men--to encourage them to take an active role in the lives of their children. Instead, we reward the wage slaves and tell them they are doing the right thing.

Why do we place such out-sized importance on standardized tests--claiming we do it to assess and improve our schools--when the tests are largely meaningless in predicting actual real world ability?

We do it because as a system, it serves to keep white men in power. The entire basis of our system--of our school reform efforts--and our benefits and work promotions--is racist and sexist at the core.

We talk about excellence as if it is some easily measured attribute--yet who do we reward for so-called "excellence"? Bankers and stock pickers who are wrong as often as they are right. The already rich children--who tend to be white men--who run companies founded by their ancestors. The white children of wealthy white couples.

"Excellence" isn't a real standard in America, but rather a tool used to disenfranchise and dis-empower anyone who doesn't meet the American ideal of a white man.

Equality is the metric we should be focused on, but sadly we've bought the lie of excellence as the true objective measure.

Threefifths, you could not have made a better comparison, soooo true.
To Robin post of 12/30/11 "There is no conflict of interest in this investigation"
Not true, and no longer is a particular ethnicity when told to jump are required to say how high. Remember Lincoln's emancipation? Not for the right reason though. He did it to use them in the war where it was a continuation of the same.
I wrote to the Atty. Gen. encouraging the use of DOJ 12/27/11. No surprise I've been ignored. As I stated to him the DOJ needs to investigate john, Mayo, BOE for an equitable resolution. I would support 24X7 if necessary a petition of names to Atty. Gen. to get DOJ involvement. To think of Dugas and Clark's involvement is ludricrous. If BOE was a conflict of interest due to position of Carolina's wife, then so are they.
I plan to contact Rashad Robinson, ColorOfChange for petition/involvement.

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." Martin Luther King, African-American civil rights leader.

...
There are several good choices for President of BOA. The choice should be made on ability to lead not color. Jorge Perez has proven that he is a solid leader.

i agree with Walt. someone this racist should not be allow to served the people of New Haven or any where for this matter; they should get rid of him. if anybody else would make such comment would be crucified in the media, why isn't he? Now Mr.Smith, how many LATINOS have occupied your seat? and you don't see them crying about it!
I HOPE THEY GET RID OF YOU.

Kimber and Smith! What a pair!

Kimber is a convicted felon, having been convicted of stealing nearly $4,000 in burial expenses from an elderly New Haven woman while he was managing a funeral home for the owner.

See: http://www.yaledailynews.com/news/2001/sep/27/a-controversial-figure-kimber-still-at-center-of/

Smith is supposed to run the Town Clerk's office. But don't expect to see him there, except maybe during election week when he may pop in once or twice.

Anyone who has any dealings with the City Clerk's Office knows that it is the Deputy City Clerk who runs the office, not our elected no-show politician.

The main de facto function of his job, for which we pay his salary, seems to be to call the role at the 2 Board of Aldermen meetings every month. For this we pay him big bucks.

One wonders if these "god-fearing" men have much ethical underpinning.

As to Smith's asinine solution to crime -- putting prayer back in the schools -- will prayer help enlighten either future embezzlers or future no-show politicians? Or for that matter, Wall Street Bankers? I doubt it.
-----------------------------
This is not to dispute earlier posts concerning the very real effects of racial discrimination on minorities. White folks tend to greatly minimize these effects.

It is really revealing to contrast the thoughts of self-appointed white experts on racial discrimination, who never experience it, with the thoughts of those black folks who experience it every day.

Silly...Sillly!
It is only racist if a white person talks that way...where have you been???
Just like a bias/hate crime, if 45 blacks beat up on a lone white person, oh well , so sad. BUT if 2 or more white people beat a black guy, its a bias/hate crimeJesse Jackson , and his racist hate machine will be marching down the street.
Hey NH, you vote liberal...deal with it!

How come when the polticians put there hand on the bible before taking office,Knowing that there are telling lies to the people to get in office.Why that bible doesn't catch on fire?

Streever,

"About half of the Board of Aldermen is African-American. Board presidents are elected by fellow aldermen at the first meeting of each two-year term."

I understand your sentiments. However, the above quote basically rules out your assertions in this particular case. If the majority of the board was white, your statements about subtle racism would make more sense. Considering it is approximately 50/50, you would think it just has not happended yet...

WHO gave the position away?

Hey Icarus,

I'm grateful for your civil tone on this, in a sea of increasingly hostile and crude commentary.

I'd say the systemic disenfranchisement of black citizens is part of why the board is more likely to vote for a non-black president. This is due to racism--indirectly.

I'm not asserting that members of the Board are being racist or behaving as racists--rather, that there are a variety of reasons why no black alder has been elected, and this certainly could have a root in racism.

...

The Mayor's reasons for wanting a black president are pretty transparent--the same reason he supports Kimber, Mayo, and Smith. It gives him pull with some church groups in town and gets him votes.

Personally, I do think it is pretty racist for the Mayor & Matteson to look to use the electorate based purely on color--and I suspect that the reason why we haven't had a black president of the BoA yet is because of this wheeling and dealing.

Power isn't handed out in elections in a city where only 14% of the electorate vote. Power is handed out by power.

It should be a red flag that we've never had a black BoA president, certainly, and we should be asking ourselves if we've done all we can to support and build the neighborhoods that these alders come from. Is there equality in the Elm City? Do Newhallville and Dwight residents have access to the same economic opportunities that I do?

It is easy to say we aren't culpable--because they held an election--but do bear in mind how few votes are needed here before taking that stand.

"You want crime to go down? Put prayer back in schools." ...got to be one one of the dumbest thing I have ever heard, scary but not surprising that so many people cheered. And Mr. Smith, how exactly would talking to ones imaginary friend stop crime? I would imagine that many of these good people pray at home, is the home not the right venue - are larger buildings somehow the answer? How about this one: Want crime to go down, take ownership of your lives and act like a citizen who deserves the freedom they have. Every funeral for all these young black males is full of Jesus this and the holy spirit that, grow up because that ain't work. Back to reality folks.

If only he had prayed, or if the person who shot him prayed or....wait, how does this work?

http://nhregister.com/articles/2012/01/02/news/doc4f0226be36f54890608633.txt

The NHI censored (understandably) a conversation I was privy to, conducted at Clark's Dairy, by a prominent alder & literally one of the top staff members at City Hall about the Mayor's desire to see a black President on the BoA.

The two individuals are typically at logger heads, and didn't reach an agreement at that meal.

This is how power is handed out in our city--decided in private and off the record.

I've redacted their names for the NHI's publishing standards, but would be happy to discuss in more detail if anyone would like to discuss this.