[Mpls] 8TH WARD CONVENTION (City Pages & race-baiting)

[Socialist2001 at cs.com]

On Fri, 06 May 2005 16:21:30, Dennis S. Tifft wrote,

<<Since no endorsement was given it seems that some of the delegates and/or 
candidates have not only accused me of blocking an endorsement but of being a 
"white nationalist," which I personally find very offensive and completely 
untrue.>>

Let's name names. The 8th ward convention coverage in City Pages was run as a 
side bar to an interview with Mayoral Candidate Peter McLaughlin, entitled 
"The Other White Meat"

The sidebar, "Stalemate: Delegates Block Endorsement in Ward 8" was written 
by Shannon Gibney, the managing editor of the Minnesota Spokeman-Recorder. 
Gibney wrote: "Hard political lesson number 2: In a racially divided town, even a 
black veteran of Minneapolis politics can't necessarily count on the support 
of white voters." 

Gibney quoted Titi Bediako as saying "What's happening here is obviously an 
example of political strategy, but also straight-up white nationalism."

Gibney goes on to write, "...After Hauser, a park board commissioner, was out 
of the race, was out of the race, her supporters -a majority of whom, like 
Tifft's, were white- split their votes between Glidden and no endorsement. None 
of them voted for Hayden." That contention is not supported by the facts 
presented in the same article. Hayden's share of the total vote increased by 4% 
immediately after Hauser was knocked out, and didn't lose any ground in the last 
round of voting. Glidden share of the vote increased from 31 to 46%, then 
dropped to 43%, an increase of 12%. 

Certainly, for many voters, race is a big factor, and for some it is the 
factor. But the truth is that in contests between white and black candidates, many 
white voters opt for the black candidate, and (to a lesser extent) black 
voters opt for the white candidate. For example, in 1997 and 2001 Sharon Sayles 
Belton did extremely well in predominantly black precincts, and in 1997 had a 
strong showing in predominantly white precincts as well. Race based 
discrimination, and yes, white and black nationalism, are clearly factors. However there 
was much more at play than the race factor in the 2001 Mayoral race, including 
SSB's outspoken support for a new Twins stadium, the perception that SSB and 
her allies on the city council were in the pocket of developers who benefited 
from downtown development projects and gentrification. The 'throw the bums' out 
sentiment was almost palpable in 2001.

And there is certainly more to the dynamics of the 8th ward city council race 
than the "race" of the candidates. With coverage of the 8th ward city council 
election that helps to keep the masses of people in the 8th ward ignorant 
about the political process, the candidates, and issues, City Pages is performing 
a valuable service to those who profit from racial discrimination and 
oppression in the City of Minneapolis.

-Doug Mann, King Field
http://educationright.com