Anti-Yassky Movement Plants a Stake in Cyberspace
We didn’t know there was so much anti-Yassky sentiment out there when we wrote a post about our disillusionment with the city councilman from the 33rd District last week. Well, to be fair, we don’t know that there’s a lot of anti-Yassky sentiment–but at least one person cares enough about it to have started an…
We didn’t know there was so much anti-Yassky sentiment out there when we wrote a post about our disillusionment with the city councilman from the 33rd District last week. Well, to be fair, we don’t know that there’s a lot of anti-Yassky sentiment–but at least one person cares enough about it to have started an entire website and blog devoted to derailing the pol’s Congressional aspirations. One link on the new site is to a post on the Daily Gotham blog about how the very fact that Yassky is white makes him a non-starter as a replacement for Congressman Owens. We’d like to think that’s not true. Are we just being naive?
Welcome [Stop Yassky]
How Yassky Lost His Sheen [Brownstoner]
Real Estate Biz Boosts Yassky Run [NY Daily News]
Chris Owens is not the leading black candidate but I wish he was. He’s a true progressive on the issues and is always pro-feminist and pro-gay. The fact that he hasn’t held office before is — to me — a blessing. It means he’s unsullied by the nightmare of bureaucracy and corruption that is Albany. Carl Andrews is the ultimate Brooklyn Democratic Machine deadbeat.
“Given that the leading black candidate is the son of outgoing congressman Major Owens, and, thus, with nothing to recommend his candidacy”
I used to think that. Go see Chris Owens speak about his positions and his experience before you say that. Also, although I think he should be the leading black candidate, I think Carl Andrews owns that honor for the time being.
“the first comment is truly ridiculous. you say that “the world is a different place” are you living on mars?”
No sober, intelligent person can claim that the world has not improved for black people since Chisholm was elected to Congress in 1968. That’s the problem with hysterical reactions like yours – they equate any acknowledgement of progress with a denial that racism continues to exist.
“there is only 1, count them, 1 black senator out of 100. there are only approx. 48 black representatives. there has never been a black president or vice president.”
It all depends on how you spin it. What you say is true, but one could just as easily argue the opposite by pointing to Colin Powell, Clarence Thomas, David Dinkins, Condi Rice, and many others as evidence. These figures may not share your political views, but that hardly diminishes their accomplishments in the political arena.
“black people still have a hardtime getting: a mortgage to buy a home; a taxi in midtown manhattan; into the best colleges and universities.”
If mortgages are so hard to come by, then why is minority ownership at an all-time high? I’m a black woman and I have no problem getting a cab anywhere. People of color are admitted into their universities of choice at far high numbers than whites due to different admission standards.
“times may have changed in your mind, but in reality and for a black person like myself, it is all an illusion. stop fooling yourself.”
Implicit in this statement is an assumption that I am white, which I am not. The key words are “like myself”. Your situation is your situation and mine is mine. We are both African-Americans with different takes on this topic. Just because you may have experienced difficulty achieving your goals, does not mean that others have. Race may not be the whole factor, either. A wide variety of things affect a person’s station in life and skin color is but one.
“the best person ought to be elected, but a little color never hurt the equasion.”
Classic doublespeak. But you’re right, a little color never hurt the equation (proper spelling), yet being the best person means being the best, not being rewarded for one’s skin color.
“Brownstoner, if you’re going to get into this race, maybe you should inform people when the next candidate forum will be held so people can get more educated on all the candidates.”
If you want to be educated without leaving your seat there are MP3s of each candidate at a forum in May on planetplg.com (albeit with only so-so sound quality). Yassky talks about the “white man in black district” issue in his mp3. There’s also an interview with Chris Owens on his position on 12 issues (3 other candidates have committed to responding to the same 12 questions including Yassky – stay tuned).
Dan
JB – sorry for the plug 😉
Shahn,
i would vote for you
why does black representation = a black representative? Is it not possible in today’s day and age for a non-black to represent a black constituency?
The district is comprised of mostly black voters so whoever they elect will provide representation to them. If that person doesn’t represent their interests they will not be re-elected.
I’m glad I’m not the 1st one to say/think it – but Yassky reminds me of Gifford Miller (not a compliment).
I personally am a supporter of David Yassky and have followed his career since we met in 2000. Yassky has worked harder than any other politician I know of on the gun safety issue, which is a BIG issue in Brooklyn for blacks and whites. He did write gun legislation when he worked on the Brady Bill back when he worked for Chuck Schumer. He has the full support of many of the blacks I know who have personally suffered from gun violence and is seen as someone who will fight hard on this issue in Congress. I’m afraid I don’t know enough about his being in pocket of developers–I want to learn more. However, it looks to me like Carl Andrews is Yassky’s strongest opponent right now–he has more experience as an elected official than Chris Owens (son of Major), he’s raised more money than anyone but Yassky for the campaign, AND I don’t know enough to say for sure but I’ve heard he has some shady political connections–if you put him up against yassky and his record, I doubt Carl will come up smelling any rosier. Brownstoner, if you’re going to get into this race, maybe you should inform people when the next candidate forum will be held so people can get more educated on all the candidates. I know there’s a controversy about the race issue and I’m disturbed by the defection of one of Y’s black staff members, but many people I know (black and white) who know Yassky or have heard him speak feel that he is someone who can really represent all Brooklynites and really fight for them in Congress, no matter what the color of his skin.
the first comment is truly ridiculous. you say that “the world is a different place” are you living on mars? there is only 1, count them, 1 black senator out of 100. there are only approx. 48 black representatives. there has never been a black president or vice president.
black people still have a hardtime getting: a mortgage to buy a home; a taxi in midtown manhattan; into the best colleges and universities.
times may have changed in your mind, but in reality and for a black person like myself, it is all an illusion. stop fooling yourself.
the best person ought to be elected, but a little color never hurt the equasion.