[Mpls] A Black Minister takes the money/ Black Bourgeoisie

[Jhpalmerjp at aol.com]

You know Zack, for someone who says that "there are clearly a number of 
different ways that persons may serve their community, you spend a lot of time 
attacking anyone who doesn't follow your path or do what you want them to.  And 
since you believe in the exposure of activities that are detrimental to our 
community then you'll appreciate the fact that I demand that you back up the 
statements that you make with evidence and support.  Since you believe in exposing 
this detriment, I'm sure you'll hold yourself to the same standard that you 
expect other to be held to and won't mind backing up what you say or being 
questioned, because if what you say his merit it'll be able to withstand those 
questions.

But while I support your right to free speech, I also support a community's 
right to hold people in positions of power and influence accountable for their 
actions and deeds.  For that reason, I don't change the channel, because our 
community needs to be given more than just a perspective, it needs to be given 
truth and honesty, not vague alliterations and misinterpreted accusations.

On that note, let me show you why this is important.  If you go back and 
actually read the email I sent to Booker you will find that I never threatened "to 
take him out back" but rather asked if he had said that about me.  I heard 
from several sources that he said that on your show and unlike your method of 
insinuations and making accusations via airwaves, I go straight to the source.  
The exact quote from that email I sent to Booker was: "Okay, so does that mean 
it wasn't you saying that I needed to be taken out back and whipped and you 
would do it.."  Booker said he never said it, and I said I'd take him at his 
word, and the matter dropped for me.

But not for you and your friends who misread the email and then lied.  This 
is why reading is fundamental Zack, and this is why you, Booker, me, RT, Ron, 
Al, Don, and anyone else must be held accountable for their actions.  You were 
wrong for this not just on a personal level, but on professional level it is 
irresponsible and lacks integrity.

As for your video tapes, I've seen them on your show, and if I can suggest if 
you're going to continue to try and do doctoring and cut out parts you find 
someone who's a professional so that it isn't as obvious.  I find your stories 
incredulous but I'll be looking forward to watching the jumble clip on your 
show to see how much merit there is in your words.

By the way, I'm not a preacher, so it wouldn't be a concern of mine of who 
Booker's alluding to, except for the fact that I don't know how you would expect 
the community to "clear things up" if they don't have all of the information. 
 You're not exposing the situation if you're not exposing the facts, that's 
journalism 101.  And I'm not sure which event this was I attended, unless it 
was the peace vigil at Rev. Bethel's church a while back....which you saw me at 
and directly contradicts your statement of never having seen me at any event.  
More to the point, when the young child was shot a year ago in Jordan, I 
don't recall seeing you or any of your colleagues out with Don Samuels and I as we 
talked to the family, neighbors and the community.  Anytime there's a 
shooting in Jordan, I doorknock the block.  I meet weekly with the 4th Precinct 
leadership, Hennepin Cty Probations, City Attorney's office and others through the 
4th Ward CARE task force to deal with hot spots and develop strategy to 
addressing the issues.  Every week I patrol Jordan with these same groups of people 
along with community members from Jordan and other neighborhoods to take a 
stand against the dealers.  I've testified at the legislature and worked with 
elected officials on sustainable solutions.  I've yet to see you, Booker or any 
of your colleagues show up and help with any of these issues.

In fact the only time I've seen you show up is when there's a TV camera 
around, to, as Al put it, "make certain people know that Jonathan's not the leader 
of the Black community."  What's said about that is that I never claimed to 
be, nor are we homogenous enough to have only one leader.  What's more sad is 
that if you're doing what your supposed to you don't need to show up for that 
reason.  Your actions will speak for themselves, and people will seek you out 
for leadership.  Think about that.

And if you're truly interested in "being respectful of everyone's attempts" 
then stop attacking people before you even talk to them.  Week after week 
"Black Economics" lobs accusation after accusation about things that you have half 
the story on and have never approached people to even ask a question.  How 
hypocritical is it to praise Booker for not revealing the name of the preacher 
who "stole" money in an effort to let the community deal with it, yet to accuse 
(wrongly I might add) me of picking a fight or having ethical violations 
because I work for a neighborhood organzation and sit on the Empowerment Zone 
Governance Board without ever having talked to me face to face about your concerns, 
or rather lies.

For someone who claims to believe in the importance of exposing "activities 
detrimental to our community", how to reconcile the fact that you don't have a 
consistent ethic when it comes to this exposure?

As I said to Booker, these are serious times and it's time for us to get 
serious.  Stop beating around the bush, stop making things up or making vague 
references.  Put the truth out there so that everyone can see, but do it fairly, 
honestly and with integrity.  That's what's going to make real change in our 
community.

Jonathan Palmer
Victory
back from witnessing 500 young Black men graduate and moving on to making 
themselves and their world a better place.