FLIPSIDE: What year is it?
Posted: 3/25/2008

As much as I try to push the notion of race outside of my mind when dealing with our continuing drama starring the Mayor of Detroit and it’s citizens, it is blatant as ever. After the Mayor said he’d heard racial slurs directed toward he and is family, critics rushed to their blogs and online commenting venues to voice their disgust and disbelief of any racial factors being involved.

I tried to agree. I tried to agree that blacks have never, and are not in this case, being crucified by the media. I tried to agree that nobody resorted to racism to intimidate the Mayor. So, on Tuesday I was looking through the WDIV website, clickondetroit.com and of course the major story was the city council’s resolution to have the Mayor resign. After reading the article, I was curious to see what people’s reactions were.

Not surprising, there were a lot of comments that said, “It’s about time” and “What took so long.” Then there was one comment that kind of took me by surprise, but disproves the notion that there is no basis to the Mayor’s racial accusations. The comment read as follows –

“DETROIT… All you people do is complain and complain everyone treats you so bad because you are black….give it up!!! If any of you wanted to work or make your property nice get off your lazy butts and get out of the casino thinking you are going to get the BIG ONE….START WORKING… and the Mayor he is just like the rest of you…lazy and poor me, I am black!!!! The city looks like that because you make it look like that you have no one else to blame but the BLACKS!!!”

My jaw dropped as I read this comment. I felt like it was 1968 and not 2008. It also made me realize that if people are willing to leave comments like this on a public forum, who knows what would be said under the shield of anonymity. In addition to this comment were more comments applauding and agreeing with what was said, including one writer with the user name of “lynchhim”. Yeah, no racism there. Catch ya’ on the FLIPSIDE.

- Q. Lewis
Quincy@detroitfashionpages.com

 

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COMMENTS

Submitted by Jose A. Rodriguez on 3/28/2008 9:49:33 AM
As a reluctant Detroit taxpayer (work in the City), I am disgusted at how people in Detroit, especially the clergy continue to support him when he only seems to tell the truth when forced to. I work in the social services sector so I know what goes with the "man on the street." Many don't have needed assistance. Yes, there are some that milk the system. However, there many that live in tremendously energy inefficient houses resulting in huge utility bills. There are people paying rent to landlords who don't pay their taxes, forcing them onto the street. What has Kilpatrick done to fix this? Personally, I feel that Kilpatrick and his supporters are full of it. When I drive by Trumbull near Tiger Stadium and the manhole cover has been missing for months, I know that the City hasn't been able to address its as well as its tenants' problems. There are a numbers of reasons why and Kilpatrick is one of the biggest ones.

Submitted by Mr. Alexander on 3/27/2008 1:18:49 PM
Race has always been a issue in life. Its part of human nature because HUMANITY created this beast. Its important to educate one another about our background however in todays society its kids having kids so this issue will forever be. "Making changes is sacrifice."

Submitted by H. deBrioude on 3/27/2008 9:39:21 AM
Have we all lost our minds! What ever happened to morals and accountability. These are our elected officials. Race doesn't have anything to do with lying,or cheating on your wife! Let alone having some integrity the only ones I feel bad for are the mayors children and the city itself for another embarrissing situation!!!

Submitted by Nina Morena on 3/27/2008 9:00:52 AM
Seriously... 1968? I highly doubt it. My frustration lies with the people of the city. I had the privilage to make a better place for my family and leave. It saddens me that no one is stepping up and trying to change what's going on. It's sad that KK plays on race to get our people fired up for all the wrong things instead of taking responsibility for what he has done. He's hurt his own people yet we are having trouble seeing that. This is making a mockery of us as a city and taking business away that could possibly contribute to turning around our current condition. Race will always cause a stir on both sides, but we have a bigger issue to battle rather than race...we actually need to embrace the idea coming together to make the City of Detroit a better place to live.

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