Posted on 06/24/2006 10:16:55 PM PDT by neverdem
For the last four decades, the predominantly black population of central Brooklyn has been represented in Washington by one of its own, a tradition that dates to the 1968 victory of Shirley Chisholm, the first black woman elected to Congress.
But now, in a district whose boundaries were drawn to strengthen black voting power, residents are locked in a wrenching, racially charged debate over a white politician's campaign for Congress.
The candidacy of that politician, David Yassky — who has built a reputation as an accomplished, independent-minded councilman — has led to angry accusations of racial carpetbagging. It has also spawned calls by black politicians that he abandon the contest and that Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton and Charles E. Schumer, Mr. Yassky's mentor, take sides in the fight.
But perhaps more important, the hostilities say much about the evolving nature of black neighborhoods like Crown Heights and Brownsville and the profound repercussions on politics.
As the forces of immigration and gentrification have altered the demographics of these communities, ethnic and racial blocs that once promoted their own candidates have fractured, with voters now choosing among politicians of various backgrounds.
Nowhere is the phenomenon more stark than in the contest for the 11th Congressional District, where American- and Caribbean-born blacks vie for power and a steady influx of whites has heightened the worry that blacks will be displaced, from their neighborhoods and from the political hierarchy. It is a fear that Mr. Yassky's candidacy has intensified, so much so that a group of black and Hispanic politicians are discussing ways to make sure he loses.
At the center of it all is Mr. Yassky, 42, a mild-mannered former law professor who, colleagues say, is a true believer in the power of government to improve lives. After volunteering on political campaigns over...
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Calling Bre'r Rabbit and Uncle Remus!
Sounds like the ones who are getting displaced are the ones who want somebody under their control.
This article shows the worst of race politics and bigotry. Caught in the crosshairs is a liberal, this time.
Aren't lots of black residents of Manhattan being priced out of the housing market? I read somewhere that quite a few are moving back to southern states where their ancestors came from two or three generations ago.
' I read somewhere that quite a few are moving back to southern states where their ancestors came from two or three generations ago.'
ya, lots of WHITES are also moving down to the southern states where they can afford to live more comfortably, too....and get away from alien crime, gimme girls and liberal politicians...'
Gentrification has been going on for close to two decades, usually on the margins. Real estate prices and rents have become crazy.
I read somewhere that quite a few are moving back to southern states where their ancestors came from two or three generations ago.
IIRC, 60 minutes did a segment about it.
get away from? They're bringing as much of it as they can.
Remember: it's only discrimination if it's acting against blacks.
If it's against white people we'll cheer it. :)
Not after the professional race pimps, Al and Jesse, slither into the picture.
To whoever made the abuse report-- tar baby is an acceptable phrase. Tony Snow used it in his first press gaggle on the job-- it caused a minor furor but only because of some having decided to try to turn it into a racial term. The primary characteristic of tar is not its color. It is that it is sticky. Regards
That's nice to know! I'm at a loss for words.
"But at the same time, Mr. Yassky has attracted support from some blacks in the district, including some who said they found him appealing when he spoke at their churches." And
"She said that she had not yet chosen a candidate, but that she had heard Mr. Yassky speak at her church and liked what he had to say."
Why is it liberals get their panties in a bunch when they think a conservative has spoken at a church but liberals always use chuches as a podium??
Yes, I remember that. A blatant case of the pot calling the kettle black.
I moved from NY to FL in May. A large part of the reason was the tax situation in NY.
Welcome to Florida!
"This article shows the worst of race politics and bigotry. Caught in the crosshairs is a liberal, this time."
More white people should do this. And the way to really go after the seat is to have a black republican run against him.
Wonder how they would vote then.
Now if he had said niggardly tar baby, that would be a different thing all together.
What? Another person? NYSlimes working hard to create two Americas.
Louis Farrakan loves all his white brothers , especially the jewish ones , no bigotry rhere . . .
Tar baby is an acceptable phrase .
Yes I used to love them they were licorice if I remember correctly , but I haven't seen any in the last 30 or 40 years . they have probably gone the way of the brazil nut .
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