By Kojo Nnamdi in WaPo: "For D.C., Vince Gray's election is a bold step backward"

[Anonymous]

Today's WaPo:

For D.C., Vince Gray's election is a bold step backward

By Kojo Nnamdi
Sunday, September 19, 2010

When I came to the District of Columbia from New York City in 1969, I was a restless 20-something actor and black-power activist looking for somewhere to call home. The District was a place, I felt, where black power could become reality....

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/17/AR2010091702443.html

[Anonymous]

blah, blah blah

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:blah, blah blah

Ordinarily I would consider a response like the above to be a waste of time that expresses disapproval but contains no information. However, in this case it turned out to be a rather precise description of my own opinion of Kojo's article, long and wordy, saying much more about Kojo and his years in DC, and about Barry, than about Gray. Blah, blah, blah is how I would describe it myself if I were not so wordy.

[jsteele]

It is important to remember that the article writers don't draft the headlines. Nowhere in Kojo's article does he suggest that Gray's election is a bold step backward. The Post has been steadfast in its support of Fenty. I guess the headline writers know who signs their paychecks.

Regardless of the misleading headline, the article does have a couple of interesting points. For instance, I rather appreciated Kojo quoting himself saying, "What do you think the response of white Americans would have been if Barack Obama had put together a majority-black Cabinet immediately after taking office? Probably not 'Oh, he's just finding the best people to do the job."

Kojo also writes:

"It's crucial that the city's white residents understand that assertions of a post-racial District -- where a mayor should not be expected to take race into account when crafting policies or making appointments -- ignore the sensitivities of their black neighbors who have seen generations of dreams crushed by discrimination and racism and don't appreciate being advised to 'get over' their pain."

I think these two statements accurately capture much of gap between black and white residents with regard to the Fenty administration.

[Anonymous]

OMG you are right. The headline totally does not represent the content of Kojo's piece.

[Anonymous]

Exactly, pps. When I saw the headline I was surprised but when I read the article I realized that the headline didn't match the article.

[jsteele]

According to this blog post:

http://dcentric.wamu.org/2010/09/wapo-distorts-our-kojo/

Even Kojo was upset by the headline and posted a comment saying:

"I wrote this article to explain my view of the challenge Vincent Gray faces. The headline is a complete distortion of my point of view."

[Anonymous]

I think these two statements accurately capture much of gap between black and white residents with regard to the Fenty administration.

Well, they capture one side of the divide. Speaking as an 11-year white resident of DC with small children, I don't think they capture my position. Using Kojo's form, how about:

"It's crucial that the city's black residents understand that while their non-black neighbors may not be third-generation city residents, their non-black neighbors' opinions and needs are just as valid and deserve equal weight and consideration by the city government, and that since the vast majority of them are under 45 and had no hand in "generations of dreams crushed by discrimination and racism," they don't appreciate being told that they have to subordinate their legitimate desires for a competent city government that benefits ALL residents to older residents' historical pain (however legitimate it may be)."

The attitude that Kojo attributes to older black residents reminds me in many ways to the recent focus by the Christian right on homosexuals and same sex marriage. The Christian right sees (and is terrified by) the writing on the wall - opinions regarding same-sex marriage are defined largely by age, not by political affiliation. As time goes by, same-sex marriage will become a non-issue and will be widely accepted. Consequently, the religious right is desperately trying to get laws on the books prohibiting same sex marriage because there won't be another opportunity in the future.

Similarly, the city’s older black residents can see the demographic shift taking place in DC, and recognize that by the next census, it is likely that blacks will no longer be a majority in the city. The potential loss of political power this represents terrifies them. Thus the furor over high-ranking city officials not being black (regardless of legitimate disputes regarding job performance).

[Anonymous]

That's a shockingly bad title. Wow.

[Anonymous]

I don't get why blacks were threatened by competence and results. Is Gray's supporters' position truly that pay without performance is ok if you work for the DC government?

Why aren't more people of all races saying, yes, I want to be paid what I'm worth, and if I can't teach, I shouldn't be teaching in the DC public schools?

Are we totally back to the Barry days of handouts?

I'm a DC native, born in the city, and moved to the suburbs because I can't understand the racial politics. Not at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't get why blacks were threatened by competence and results. Is Gray's supporters' position truly that pay without performance is ok if you work for the DC government?

Why aren't more people of all races saying, yes, I want to be paid what I'm worth, and if I can't teach, I shouldn't be teaching in the DC public schools?

Are we totally back to the Barry days of handouts?

I'm a DC native, born in the city, and moved to the suburbs because I can't understand the racial politics. Not at all.

You know, I haven't heard one Gray supporter yet voice their support for "pay without performance" or the "Barry days of handouts." And I certainly didn't it from Gray himself.

No, the only people saying that are Fenty supporters - telling us what they wanted us to believe about Gray so that we'd vote for their guy instead.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I think these two statements accurately capture much of gap between black and white residents with regard to the Fenty administration.

Well, they capture one side of the divide. Speaking as an 11-year white resident of DC with small children, I don't think they capture my position. Using Kojo's form, how about:

"It's crucial that the city's black residents understand that while their non-black neighbors may not be third-generation city residents, their non-black neighbors' opinions and needs are just as valid and deserve equal weight and consideration by the city government, and that since the vast majority of them are under 45 and had no hand in "generations of dreams crushed by discrimination and racism," they don't appreciate being told that they have to subordinate their legitimate desires for a competent city government that benefits ALL residents to older residents' historical pain (however legitimate it may be)."

The attitude that Kojo attributes to older black residents reminds me in many ways to the recent focus by the Christian right on homosexuals and same sex marriage. The Christian right sees (and is terrified by) the writing on the wall - opinions regarding same-sex marriage are defined largely by age, not by political affiliation. As time goes by, same-sex marriage will become a non-issue and will be widely accepted. Consequently, the religious right is desperately trying to get laws on the books prohibiting same sex marriage because there won't be another opportunity in the future.

Similarly, the city’s older black residents can see the demographic shift taking place in DC, and recognize that by the next census, it is likely that blacks will no longer be a majority in the city. The potential loss of political power this represents terrifies them. Thus the furor over high-ranking city officials not being black (regardless of legitimate disputes regarding job performance).

Thanks for this. Yep; another 4-8 years and the gig's up.

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:I don't get why blacks were threatened by competence and results. Is Gray's supporters' position truly that pay without performance is ok if you work for the DC government?

I haven't seen any evidence to support the idea that blacks, whites, or any other colors are threatened by competence and results. That is a narrative created and spread by people who have no clue what they are talking about.

To you, the idea that all the "best people for the job" happen to be white may be perfectly normal and acceptable. But, for people who have seen themselves marginalized in both overt and less noticeable ways, this idea is very suspicious. DC has one of the most educated African American populations in the nation. Are you telling me that none of them are qualified for top positions?

Similarly, with the schools, you may accept without question Rhee's explanation that she is getting rid of low performing teachers. But, to many, her lack of transparency, frequent deviations from the truth, and ruthless style caused a severe loss of confidence in her actions. There is plenty of evidence to suggest that good teachers were often caught up in Rhee's net.

To turn things around, it is not that Gray's supporters are threatened by competence. To the contrary, they'd like to see a bit more of it. Especially in the schools Chancellor.

[Anonymous]

9:31 - I think that you should go back and read the article again, from your statement and what you quoted, I'm not sure that you understood what Mr. Nnamdi was saying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:9:31 - I think that you should go back and read the article again, from your statement and what you quoted, I'm not sure that you understood what Mr. Nnamdi was saying.

I understand the article just fine, but thanks for your concern. This is the quote that Jeff said "accurately captures the gap between black and white residents:"

"It's crucial that the city's white residents understand that assertions of a post-racial District -- where a mayor should not be expected to take race into account when crafting policies or making appointments -- ignore the sensitivities of their black neighbors who have seen generations of dreams crushed by discrimination and racism and don't appreciate being advised to 'get over' their pain."

I was responding to Jeff, not commenting on the article. My point is that quote captures the gap from one perspective (Kojo's) and not the significant number of people who disagree with him.