LOUIS ‘HOP’ KENDRICK
A couple of weeks ago I wrote a column recognizing those Black people, who served in the role of judges at every level. Several people reminded me that I had omitted two Black females and both have served in Wilkinsburg. The first Black magistrate elected in Wilkinsburg was Judge Alberta Thompson and she served until she decided to retire. The second is the incumbent magistrate, Judge Kim Hoots, who currently is serving her second term in office.
There has been a number of people, who have asked who I was voting for in the April 21, 2013 election. My response has generally been, “for the first time in over 60 years I may not vote for any of the four candidates.” However, in the back of my mind I knew there was absolutely no chance that I would not cast a vote.
There have been numerous ads by all of the candidates on TV, radio and mailing. All were professionally done, colorful, truths, half-truths, and of course they included Blacks in their ads. Those Blacks, who render professional services on behalf of a candidate, deserve to get paid. There are some Blacks whom I have the utmost disrespect for, because they use their status or elected positions solely to increase their opportunity with the mayor or Allegheny County Executive to be perceived as H.N.I.C.
Over the years that I have been active in politics I met, worked with, opposed, fought, challenged and even exposed people, who were Judas Goats. There are some of you who may not be familiar with the term so allow me to clarify it. It’s the same as and maybe worse than a House Nigger.
I have absolutely no great enthusiasm for Jesse or Frank James, but vote I must.
I will not cast a vote for Bill Peduto, because he has served on Pittsburgh City Council and in my estimation his greatest interest has been to increase bike trails, arts, and wind mills, all legitimate interests. My greatest concerns are the rebuilding of the family structure, particularly throughout the Black communities. Peduto has spoken at length about improving the educational system beginning with pre school, but has completely failed over his 12 years to fight as hard for Black men in particular to share in the multimillions of public dollars spent by the city of Pittsburgh. If Bill Peduto had expended as much energy in helping our fathers, sons and brothers becoming gainfully employed as he did with the bike trails it would be a tremendous step to the eradication of unstable homes and families. He has mentioned that he will work to improve Pittsburgh’s nonexistent MBE/WBE/DBE program and make it as effective as the one Allegheny County has, which clearly demonstrates to me that he is out of touch, because both are identical non functioning programs.
Since I have never failed to vote in the last 60 years and also have a moral obligation to vote, it is imperative that I cast a vote on May 21, 2013.
I decided the last couple of weeks that I would cast my vote for Jack Wagner for Pittsburgh’s mayor. As I listen to all four candidates and was able to separate the possible from the impossible, real from fiction, catch phrases from sensible remarks it became apparent to me that the best opportunity for Blacks (not me personally) was the election of Jack Wagner.
How did I arrive at that conclusion? The two Black candidates mention the reason POVERTY, but never focus extensively enough. It is apparent to me that Jack has the ears of the corporate community, major unions and the politicians and that is what it will take to begin to eradicate poverty. Employment opportunities stabilize the home, improve education, and minimize crime and criminals. All of us can’t be doctors, attorneys, dentists, educators, bricklayers, carpenters, landscapers, plumbers, but there are a multitude of other jobs that we can do if provided with the opportunities. We must insist that some get a second chance and depending upon on the circumstances a third chance.
I received a letter from a brother, who is incarcerated and in it was $10, which he was sending to the Kingsley Association, why don’t you match it? I will answer the brother next week and thank him for reading the New Pittsburgh Courier.
(Louis “Hop” Kendrick is a weekly contributor to the Forum Page.)
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