We all have heard the expression “the more things change the more they remain the same.” It is the absolute truth when it comes to the actions or inactions of Black elected officials. Let us examine some of the major problems that are tearing our communities and families apart. They are the lack of jobs and contract opportunities, drug use and drug dealing, the unbelievably record high use of guns, wounding and killings. The school systems are in trouble because all of the prior problems contribute to unstable homes. There is the astronomical number of Black persons who are unable to obtain employment because of a criminal background. The gas corporations are steady securing drilling contracts, but only Allegheny Councilman William “Bill” Robinson had the foresight to seek a clause be inserted that would deal directly with the mandatory hiring of Blacks.
It has been bought to my attention that the White political bosses have instructed the Black elected officials to rally the Black communities to support their candidate for governor. These same individuals are the major source of the problems that devour our communities, but the Black elected officials never challenge them.
I have written over the years that I started in politics in the early years of the ’50s, and the tragedy is not much has changed in the mindset of Blacks who, in theory, speak for us.
In the book of my life that I am writing I highlight a tragic incident that occurred one election day. The incumbent Democratic committeeman was Charles Solomon, and he was rated as the best vote getter in Allegheny County. A Black man challenged him for the position in 1958 and a colored woman walked up to the brother and said, “How in hell do you dare oppose Mr. Solomon,” and smacked the brother in his face.
Here we are in 2014 and Black persons still believe that we must obey the commands of White politicians, when in fact these persons are just modern day Charles Solomons.
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(Louis “Hop” Kendrick is a weekly contributor to the Forum Page.)
