[Mpls] 5th Ward Elections

[Dennis Plante]

>From The Star Tribune:

Hodges said Wednesday that his comments were taken out of context and that 
they weren't politically motivated.

Samuels knows "we're not out trying to kill somebody," Hodges said. "There 
must be a serious lack of cultural understanding on his part."

Lack of cultural understanding has nothing to do with this.  The point that 
is missed here is that it is a cable television show, being broadcast to 
however chooses to view the program.  I am willing to take Booker at his 
word that HIS intention is not to "kill somebody".  However, there is no 
real way to determine how the myriad of viewers interpreted what THEY were 
hearing.

In a day and time when people are senselessly killed in schools, in 
fast-food restaurants, on our streets and in their own yards, to even use 
this type of speech is inexcusable.  I am trying to put myself in ths shoes 
of Don Samuels, or his wife.  I shudder at the thoughts that must be going 
through their minds at this time.  Far-fetched?  Click-on the link below.

http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/Northeast/07/23/ny.shooting/

It was a mean-spirited and spitefull attack on a man that espouses 
peace-full solutions to very tough social problems.  Uniting the masses 
through hate-mongering and vindictiveness is NOT a solution, it only adds to 
the problems we ALL face.

Having lived on the northside for the last 8 years I am beginning to wonder 
just how effective these so-called, self-appointed spokespeople of the black 
community are at uniting people into an effective, collective unit.  Or, 
more importantly, just how much of the "silent mass" they actually have the 
approval of...

People like Don Samuels and Keith Ellison and Jonathan Palmer and Neva 
Walker and Rev. Terrill and many others, have rolled-up their sleeves and 
are DOING the work and fighting the good fight to bring about measurable and 
meaningfull change.  THEY are uniting people and bringing attention to the 
issues that need to be addressed.  Quit being counter-productive to the 
process and assist them.

dennis plante
lind-bohanon