Brooks faces allegations she is a racist

Oakland Tribune ^ | 2/25/04 | Heather MacDonald

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

OAKLAND -- The city's principal inspector supervisor has filed a complaint against Councilmember Desley Brooks (Eastmont-Seminary), alleging remarks she created a racially hostile workplace.

Brooks acknowledged telling Pennie Feehan, who oversees all of the city's blight and construction inspectors, "You have two masters and I am one of them."

Brooks, however, denied Tuesday the remark had racial overtones.

"Oh, come on. There's no way that she really thought that I was saying that she was my slave," said Brooks, who is African American. "I question Ms. Feehan's motivation for filing this complaint."

Brooks said the other "master" she referred to was Councilmember Larry Reid (Elmhurst-East Oakland), who was not present. The meeting included members of a team composed of representatives from all of the major city departments that focus on areas in Brooks' and Reid's neighboring districts. Feehan is the team leader.

"I was extremely offended and embarrassed," said Feehan, who is white. "(Brooks) is a racist. She's very mean and doesn't treat people nicely. Her constituents should know who she is."

City officials are investigating the complaint, which was filed Feb. 20, one day after the meeting of about 10 city officials where the exchange occurred, said Jayne Becker, assistant to City Manager Deborah Edgerly.

Parks Manager Noel Gallo, who attended the meeting, said Brooks made the comments after Feehan questioned whether one council member could direct the city workers and suggested orders should come through Edgerly's office, in accordance with the City Charter.

"They are just two strong personalities," said Gallo, who is also a member of the Oakland school board. "It is not uncommon for there to be disagreements in meetings like this, but it is usually more polite."

Brooks said she was upset by Feehan's arriving late to the meeting and her response when asked to give an update on her department.

"Ms. Feehan said her department was falling apart, as was the city of Oakland," Brooks said. "She was very negative. I thought that was inappropriate. I want to see enthusiasm."

After the meeting, held at the Eastmont Mall, Brooks and Feehan said they spoke privately.

"(Brooks) called me rude and unprofessional," said Feehan, who acknowledged her tardy arrival to the meeting. "No matter what I said, she snapped at me. The whole meeting was confrontational."

Brooks said she told Feehan her demeanor during the meeting was inappropriate.

The team meets twice a month to discuss problems facing its service area and to develop solutions to problems such as noise pollution, illegal dumping and median maintenance.

Brooks, who has been on the council about a year, said she is proud of what the team has accomplished, which she said was much greater than during her predecessor's tenure.

"We've had a real impact," Brooks said. "We've changed the quality of life in the neighborhood, and that's what is important."

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

The accuser, in this case, is white.

The accused (Desley Brooks) is black.

Take that as you will. :)

[goldstategop]

Blacks can't be racists. Neither can liberals. ;-)

[Clemenza]

Sounds to me that she overreacted to extreme bossiness on the part of Ms. Brooks.

[Qwinn]

Yeah, it was probably an overreaction, but it is rather comical to see the shoe on the other foot. Note her reaction - "Oh come on!" Naturally, if the races were reversed, that reaction would be instantly dismissed and there would be much wailing and gnashing of teeth. Triple it if the boss were a Republican.

Qwinn

[Fishing-guy]

This is liberal Northern California where you have to be very careful with what you say in public. It's like every time you open your mouth, someone is going to be offended about something.

[Jimmy Valentine]

"And they that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon them."

Regards,

[Aeronaut]

Lemmesee... Where again was it in the constitution that you are protected from ever being offended?

[maggief]

Okay, I'm confused.

Brooks is African American, without the hyphen, just like TehRAYzah?!?

[Freebird Forever]

Turnabout is fair play bump.

[Grut]

"Ms. Feehan said her department was falling apart, as was the city of Oakland," Brooks said. "She was very negative. I thought that was inappropriate. I want to see enthusiasm."

Not sure what Feehan is besides refreshingly sour, but Brooks is obviously the compleat bureaucrat.

[garylmoore]

Yeah, it was probably an overreaction, but it is rather comical to see the shoe on the other foot. Note her reaction - "Oh come on!" Naturally, if the races were reversed, that reaction would be instantly dismissed and there would be much wailing and gnashing of teeth. Triple it if the boss were a Republican

---

You are so right, well said.

[FierceDraka]

I love seeing these socialist filth turn on each other. it gives me a warm-fuzzy feeling.

[Ronin]

Wheee....

This would be front page news all over the country if a white said it to a black.

Excuse me, an African-American.

It will be interesting to see what, if anything, comes of this.

[ClintonBeGone]

Brooks acknowledged telling Pennie Feehan, who oversees all of the city's blight and construction inspectors, "You have two masters and I am one of them."

Maybe she was referring to an S&M menage a trois?

[Piranha]

So now the word "master" is unacceptable in all political discourse? Sheesh!

[expatpat]

Sounds to me like there is a lot of prior history between these two that lies behind the reaction.

[dangus]

>>You have two masters and I am one of them.<<

I could post the Viking Kittens singing "We Are Your Overlords," but that would be almost trite by now, no?