tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6155133175831479740.post3776312850071878794..comments2024-02-16T04:05:23.512-05:00Comments on Rev-elution: Bill Bell leads City Council in alluding discussion regarding raceREV-elutionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08726120253716456109noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6155133175831479740.post-80749422416001265172013-01-12T18:52:36.539-05:002013-01-12T18:52:36.539-05:00The absence of race talk is the result of the hard...The absence of race talk is the result of the hard work to place policy and procedure above the type of race trap that has hindered the Durham Board of County Commissioners.<br /><br />This statement if from the article above. There is only a "race trap" when you take as your starting point that anyone who even brings up the issue of race is trying to be disruptive of the smooth flowing process of the City Council. There are those who interject race for partisan purposes but we live in a society where the schooling you get, your chances of being incarcerated, and your life expectancy are all related to race. So, I applaud the discussion of the role race and prejudice play in our society and in our politics.<br /><br />Bill Bell's agenda is corporate. He is supported by big business in this community as someone who can deliver "business friendly" laws, ordinances, and regulations. That's fine if you're a Chamber of Commerce type but if you're working at Burger King at minimum wage Bill Bell could be from another planet. I don't buy the trickle down economics that the right has been selling and that Mr. Bell has championed. To be fair he is only one member of the City Council but he has more power than most as Mayor. The city, under his long years in that position, remains divided, poor, and violent. More of the same coddling of the wealthy so that the rest of us can fight over crumbs isn't very appealing. The addition of Don Moffit to the City Council assures the People's Alliance that it will have more pull when it comes to saving trees on the city periphery. But the PA has proven that it has no interest in spending what political capital it may have in support of jobs for poor (many of them black) folks without advanced degrees. High Tech start-ups at American Tobacco don't provide jobs for high school drop outs in NECD. I will say one thing - the plan that has been implemented in recent years is working. Downtown is gentrifying nicely. Discussion of race as an issue has been properly vilified. The DPD is well on it's way to a recording breaking year of brutalizing the community. I apologize for not being able to get on board with the celebration of another white liberal being "selected" for the City Council or the lack of racial animosity with which it was accomplished. <br /><br />Steven Matherlynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6155133175831479740.post-32673277937301477962013-01-09T18:43:50.747-05:002013-01-09T18:43:50.747-05:00Bill Bell is a fine example of what a leader is su...Bill Bell is a fine example of what a leader is suppose to be.<br />I agree.....wtg Bill!<br />Don will A-OK as well.<br /><br />Always remember Carl, their are no permanent friends or enemies in politics. :0)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com