It's About Time
Although it's too bad that Wilkerson and Turner had to be thrown under the bus, it's great to read that Boston's political Black community is starting to shake off the cobwebs. The last generation of community leadership, rightly, focused on educational gains and economic revitalization. Unfortunately, the community also became too reliant upon the same group of people and did little grooming of new leaders. Basically, complacency and a lack of fresh voices and ideas got us here as much as greed and alleged entrapment. Now that everyone's eyes are being opened, I think a lot of people will look forward to the new opportunities that are becoming available. It'll be interesting to see if an elected School Committee can make a comeback. Didn't Menino crush that idea 10 years ago?
Why don't you run?
Posted by: Tehuti | Tuesday, December 02, 2008 at 09:21 PM
Hmm...not sure I'm ready for that at this point in time.
Posted by: 3D | Wednesday, December 03, 2008 at 03:46 PM
When Governor Deval Patrick was running for governor, he addressed the Lead Boston class of more than 30 people I was in. After he left, we were asked if any of us would consider running for public office. Only two people said that they would consider it.
The lack of money and the fear of having their lives and loved ones' lives drug through the mud by the media were the two biggest reasons people gave for not considering public office.
This fear I think has contributed to the climate of being able to be a "candidate for life" in the African-American community. It is also why Mayor Menino has not had serious opposition in so many years.
I'll work for your campaign if you run.
Posted by: Can-Can | Tuesday, December 09, 2008 at 09:30 PM
LOL! Oddly enough, a friend who used to live in Boston said the same thing yesterday. She said she'd move back to Boston (full disclosure, she's from Chicago!) to help with my campaign.
Maybe in 4 years, y'all. Maybe.
Posted by: 3D | Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 10:10 PM