I just can’t believe what Miguel De Grandy wrote in that Herald op ed piece:
“Today, as a result of the single-member district plan implemented by the federal court, the commission is truly representative of the ethnic and racial diversity of this community. Of the 13 commissioners, four or 31 percent are African American; seven or 54 percent are Hispanic. This proportional representation mirrors the ethnic and racial percentages of the people in our community.”
Well, you jackass, you left out 25 percent of the voters -- Anglos — and they only have 15 percent representation!
In fact, there are more white voters than black. The Hispanic majority hovers at 50% of the voters. And, while we are at it, we have 7 Cuban American Commissioners when only about half the Hispanic population is Cuban. And, after that meeting, you might be able to tell, the Haitians don’t feel represented at all. And, I agree with them. They aren't.
Your column sucked: CHARTER REVIEW: County Commission should remain bastion of diversity. No one is happy with the situation except you.
I applaud the Diaz guy for trying to think out of the box. We do need some sort of change so people actually feel represented. Last night, I heard black, African Americans say that they don't feel represented. I heard a man complain he just doesn't feel anyone is listening to him and I heard an African American woman say nothing has changed in Liberty City since she was a little girl. What a pity that they are both on target. These Commissioners dole out crumbs to their community. And maybe, just maybe people are finally tired of lapping up crumbs.
10 comments:
What is an Anglo, a Catholic, a Jew, a Northern European, even a southern Italian? We could cut diversity till we are blue in the face. What about gays and lesbians, what about Jamacian/W. Indian, what about other Latinos (not everybody is Cuban nor whats to be in the same "group" let alone speak the same language, some are black, some are indian, some are .... Where does all this lead. What about groupings based upon similar interests rather than similar racial groupings? Racial/ethnic divisions gets us nowhere, similar interests builds coalitions, understanding, and stronger electorial coalitions and communities. We need to get reformers elected not divide and seperate.
unfortunately you did not read the quote very well a federal court decision was involved to make the county more inclusive of the ethnic and racial percentages of the people in the community.
ETHNIC AND RACE...
that charter review task force public hearing last night at commission chambers was refreshing. in a dais that usually stifles free speech, the task force chairman was fielding phone calls, emails and people in person and everyone got a chance to be heard. it was government in action like we rarely see.
the discussions at the crtf have been extremely interesting. what a wonderful thing if their recommendations would actually see the light of day...
I agree, the public felt welcome for once. There wasn't a hefty, dour woman, wearing a pashmina shawl, interrupting constantly (not mentioning any names, but her appointment didn't smile once, dour too I suppose).
On another note...Commissioner Carlos Gimenez named former Assistant County Manager Roger Carlton his Cheif of Staff Today.
That's going to make things extremely uncomftorable for the current County Manager.
Should get interesting.
There is a charter review meeting in Cutler Ridge Government center tomorrow evening.... You better be there.
You can't keep a good man down . . . WELCOME BACK ROGER!
Tune in for more... The charter review task force is planning at least 2 additional televised and webcast meetings just like Tuesday evening's. Once again, the public will be able to make comments in person, on the phone and via email. I'm sure the details will be announced soon. The meetings are being planned for the week of August 27th.
One of the leading "brains" behind the court cases and redistricting, mostly on a federal level, was Dario Morano "Mr. Banana Republic quote" from FIUs Metropolitian Center. He was a paid Republican hack on this issue. He help compile the plans adopted by the courts in favor of odd shaped districts that maximized Republican representation and black representation. While it increased the number of black officials it decreased the ability of the policies favored by black voters from being adopted. On the local level the same injustices on conceptualizations of representation are enouraged to prevent broader coalitions from developing.
that's Moreno - Dario Moreno, he is still around...you wrote something interesting but i didn't quite get it -- more detail please on what you wrote below:
While it increased the number of black officials it decreased the ability of the policies favored by black voters from being adopted. On the local level the same injustices on conceptualizations of representation are enouraged to prevent broader coalitions from developing.
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