TGR: The Case of Mayor Sheila Dixon: The “What If” Scenario
By Doni Glover, www.bmorenews.com
(BALTIMORE – November 22, 2009) – I was invited this morning to WBAL TV-11 (NBC) this morning to discuss the case of Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon. To say the least, it was a terribly uncomfortable conversation. To talk about a person’s future is not my favorite thing to do. However, as a political analyst, it comes with the job.
Hence, as WBAL’s Lisa Robinson proceeded with her line of questioning, the focus was on what will likely happen if the mayor emerges victoriously from the current trial and the perjury trial scheduled for the early part of next year.
“Can she be re-elected?”, asked Robinson.
My response: The mayor is a Christian and therefore knows that we “can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.” So, the answer is a definite yes. However, there will have to be some critical changes.
For one, the mayor will have to redefine herself. The operative term is “damage control.” And in order to do that, in my best estimation, is going back to the things which got her elected in the first place, i.e. re-hiring Anthony McCarthy.
An incredibly brilliant spokesperson, I personally believe that McCarthy has enough of an understanding of what the people need to hear and also a great knowledge of how to translate Mayor Dixon’s message of hope.
Currently, an unflattering picture of the mayor has been painted.
With that, there appears to be two camps – as noted in prior columns: one is die-hard supporters; the other is full of critics – unbound by racial innuendos and the victim mentality.
Hence, Mayor Dixon would have to make an effort to reconnect with the citizenry, beginning with the black community.
Robinson also alluded to Mayor-for-Life Marion Barry in the District of Columbia.
With first-hand knowledge of Barry, I can attest that he is accessible, he is aware of the needs of the people – beginning in Ward 8 in Southeast DC, and he is still known as a champion for their causes. He got people jobs, he made new black millionaires, and is the lone political power that helped build a Prince George’s County – the richest black jurisdiction in the nation.
Mayor Dixon, in my opinion, has not scratched the surface in that realm. Yes, black contractors have gotten richer, but very little can be said of new, emerging black business owners. From black funeral directors to beauty salons to barber shops, the mayor must let black business owners know that she has their back and that she is, in fact, in touch with their plight. FYI, these three industries are the last bastion of black economic prowess in the black community and are all under attack in some way, shape or form.
From conglomerates to powerful Korean-owned monopolies, black business owners have more than their share of challenges.
Even more, one glance at the Inner Harbor and I cannot readily identify one black-owned business in this a majority black city. Further, there is the case of Tyrone Taborn and the loss of his $10 million Black Engineer of the Year Awards convention that has been shifted to DC over $20,000 for display space. For some, that was an incredibly low blow that is without ample reason. How pathetic and disgraceful can we get?
Marion Barry would not have such. He makes it his business to keep the doors of these businesses open.
Speculation uptown is that more emphasis is placed by Mayor Dixon on the majority community. Again, to her credit, many supporters find the city being run with the precision of a Swiss clock.
I also pointed out two major issues that also deserve attention: education and employment. This is where the rubber meets the road. This is what is immediate in the hearts and minds and pocketbooks of the people.
And finally, the mayor is going to have to bring some humility to her persona. From her initial comments about not donating her pay increase to a good cause to the mainstream media image of fur coats and designer outerwear to the banging of the shoe on the podium – the mayor must find a way to show people she is still a part of the community.
The very notion of spending gift cards intended for the poor is an egregious concept that leaves a terrible taste on the tongues of thinking people. Any political challenger will have a field day during a mayoral campaign against her. There are bucket loads of content from which to choose so as to further assassinate her character. One can only imagine what would happen in that case scenario.
For now, though, the mayor has her hands full. Right now, it is about getting through the first leg of the legal dilemma and coming out of it with a finding of non-guilt. Then, it’s on to the next trial. Meanwhile, I can honestly say I would not want to be in her shoes. Through it all, she has maintained in an otherwise impossible political climate. Yet, one has to wonder what is going on in her mind. Hopefully and prayerfully, it is an unbending focus on “the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” As with us all, it’s “one day at a time.”
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What do you think?
3 comment(s) on this page. Add your own comment below.
Great piece, Danny really good...you brother in arms Michael Johnson
First of all bringing religion into the discusssion shows a complete lack of understanding of the principles the USA is based on. Shelia Dixon is guilty or incredibly stupid. Either way she should no longer be allowed to serve as Mayor. Neither Mary Pat Clarke nor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake have any problems with gift cards or developers. Ms Dixons defense does not pass the smell test. It's very sad really.
I smell a set up by the opposition. Ok, she likes good things, so what? ok she is religious, so what? ok she allegedly took from the poor, who isen't? will $630.00 raise the poor to a higher living standard and for how long? come on whats the real issue? maybe power grabbers are using this poor folks thing to get themselves to the top so they can rip the poor for themselves. who is fooling who? Dani, everyone in public view can use an imagery change, thats ok but why should she change her outer wear good looks, and why should she give up her pay increases she earned? Racism, sexism, anti-womanism, pathetic failures against the American dream-isms, anti-blackisms, jealousisms, all are in the mixisms, when you are doing the right thingism. They call for her resignation, what for ? this whole thing is stupidism and those who are calling for her resignationsms should take a look at what they are doing to the city which is no more than to make her work uncomfortable because the loosers don't know their place. The media should stop this stupid fueling and flaming and sansationasms over a bunch of gift cards white folks diden't create for black folks anyway. What poor people want are jobs, not gift cards, what poor people want is to get enough to take care of their family, not gift cards, gift cards are for those who already got money, not for those who don't. Gift cards are designed to draw those with money to their stores and spend more money. What will a poor person do with a gift card when they get to the store and can't buy anything else from the store?
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