[Mpls] Black representation for Ward 8?

[gemgram]

Shawn Lewis asks, "Many still wonder if indeed, this would be the year for 
the 8th Ward, which is over 60 percent people of color to elect a Council 
Member who reflects their image. Whether a Black councilmember representing 
8th Ward is on the horizon or not is the question for voters to answer in 
November."

My question to Shawn Lewis is how long has it been since the Eighth Ward did 
not have a "Person of Color" representing it. The present Council Member 
representing that Ward 8 is a person of color.  Robert Lillegrin IS a person 
of color, he is an enrolled member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe.  The 
last I heard American Indians were considered "People of Color".  Perhaps 
Shawn should be more specific about what color he recognizes as "COLOR".

Before Robert represented the Eighth Ward that ward was represented by Brian 
Herron.  Brian was a friend, and his problem aside, my experience with him 
was that Brian represented ALL the people of the Eighth Ward.  And I have 
stated that at the time he was the best representative we in the Phillips 
Community of the Sixth Ward had on the Council! I do not remember how many 
terms Brian served, but it was at least a couple.

Before Brian the Eighth Ward was represented by a woman, who the last time I 
checked was Black.  Also a "person of color". During Sharon's terms as Mayor 
the folks in the Eighth Ward were represented by not only a "Person of 
Color" in the City Council,  but also a person of color in the Mayor's 
office. The Eighth Ward has been represented by a person of color for at 
least the last twenty years.

I think Jeff Hayden is a person of color, but if elected Jeff will probably 
represent more than one "Color" in that ward.  Heck, Jeff will probably also 
represent a few White folks who support him.  This is said tongue in cheek 
because I am sure that Jeff does NOT see himself as representing just people 
of color. But I do wonder what outrage would have been created if someone 
had asked:
To paraphrase Mr. Lewis, "Many still wonder if indeed, this would be the 
year for the 3rd Ward, which is over 60 percent White to elect a Council 
Member who reflects their image. Whether a "White" councilmember 
representing 3rd Ward is on the horizon or not is the question for voters to 
answer in November."
This would be a ridiculous question if posed, because a Black man did 
represent even those white folks the last few years.

For their first time, in memory, the Native people of the Sixth Ward will be 
represented by someone who is also American Indian, but this does not mean 
that he will not reflect the other "colors" in that ward. In fact, like Mr. 
Lewis, many people might even know that he is.  I do not believe many even 
consider it as a factor in the election. It does bring up an interesting 
historic point however, because if Robert is elected then TWO wards of 
Minneapolis will have been represented by an American Indian.  Double the 
number with one man.

We all must remember that racism, even unwitting and unconscious racism, is 
color blind. For that reason we should really talk about the good character 
and wisdom of candidates.  Not their color!  There is a good chance that a 
"person of color" will represent the Eight Ward, just as it has been 
represented for at least the last twenty years, but do not forget that that 
person should reflect all the people he or she represents, what ever their 
color.

Jim Graham,
Ventura Village

"What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters compared to 
what lives within us."