Philadelphia Mayoral Primary Election: The Best Man Didn't win, the Best Tactics Did

By Gloria Dulan-Wilson

Hello All:

In the spirit of good sportswomanship, I must first of all congratulate James Kenney for emerging victorious from the 6-candidate primary that took place yesterday, May 19 in Philadelphia.

Anthony Hardy Williams

Of course you know, if you read my blog, that I was in favor of Anthony Hardy Williams.  However, he didn't win - he did come in a decent second behind Kenney who garnered 55% of the votes at the last tally I was present for.

All in all a well run race - skillfully engineered, with all forces, sources and energies garnered and gathered to ensure that all corners of Philly's constituencies were on board.

Kudos to the Northwest Alliance for having done a superb job.  It's just too bad that all that energy, unfication, solidarity could not have been mustered for either of the three African American candidates who were running - Douglass Oliver, Milton Street, or Tony Williams - or someone else of their choosing.  I for one definitely believe in Black unity - especially when it's around our own Black people.

However, someone said that Williams campaign failed to muster a campaign that dealt with the racial currency of the mayoral election,  or to respond to the attacks against his record.  His was definitely not a vicious campaign - it was one that was designed to engage the people and appeal to those areas of interest that most affected them: education, jobs, family development; decent affordable homes - stuff that Philadelphians need and are supposed to care about - but you  also have to be slugging it out toe to toe - to be seen.

Someone said that Williams had not "kissed the papal ring and gotten the blessing of the head honcho in charge," which is why he did not get the backing of the Philly Dems.  Kind of sad, isn't it, that Philly may have to endure 4 years of an ersatz mayor because of infighting and power struggles within it's predominant party.  In the meantime the voters are apparently big fans of Kool-Aid - because they had to do the actual voting.  One has to wonder what flavor they represented as they emerged?

As Tony Williams' mother stated after the 90% of the tally had been announced, "No one minds losing - if Tony had lost to a man of equal stature, intelligence, ability or accomplishments - it would have been understood and accepted.  But to Kenney - who has done little to nothing in 23 years, it's an insult."

The only thing I can say is Philadelphia's voters are going to wake up and say, "Oh My God! What have we done!!!!"
 

Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria

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RED ALERT: DIVIDE AND CONQUER AMONG AFRICAN AMERICAN POLITICIANS IN SUPPORT OF KENNEY OVER WILLIAMS

By Gloria Dulan-Wilson

Hello All:

You know there is a saying that "Politics makes strange bedfellows."  There is also a saying "If you lie down with dogs you come up with fleas."  And yesterday, April 6, while attending the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority's Mayoral Forum at Bright Hope Baptist Church, and learning that some of our African American elected officials had decided to endorse James Kenney for mayor of Philadelphia, both those statements immediately came to mind.  

Not that Kenney has "fleas" or anything of the nature; just that one should be very concerned when a group of Black elected officials over-reache to endorse someone who has heretofore not had an inkling about who Black Philadelphians were/are; their history, their plights, their concerns.  What would be the motivating factor behind this obvious U-turn during a pivotal part of the primary election campaign?

It couldn't possibly be because suddenly Mr. Kenny has only just found out that Octavious Catto had been violently murdered on the streets of South Philadelphia  while advocating for Black Philadelphians over 100 years ago - and he's now going to erect a statue in his honor, could it?  Well glory halleluiah - he's seen the light!!  That's wonderful.  But that does not make him mayor material - especially not for Philadelphia - especially not in this pivotal year.

ANTHONY HARDY WILLIAMS CANDIDATE FOR MAYOR OF PHILADELPHIA

It's amazing to me how true were those words Sonia Sanchez spoke at the Barnes Collection just a little over a month ago:  "PHILADELPHIA ALWAYS MISSES HER MARK FOR GREATNESS!"  she exclaimed out of the blue.  And they were never truer than they are now.   It was a statement that came out of nowhere, during a discussion of her poetry and epic body of work - (Sonia was named Poet Laureate of Philadelphia by Mayor Michael A. Nutter).  

Her remark was so off the cuff, it caused me to ask her why she said it.  And she responded:  {Paraphrasing here}:  You  have the first Black colleges here {in Pennsylvania}; you have the center of music and entertainment talent here; you have produced and continue to produce geniuses here - but our people or either jealous, blind, ignorant or just apathetic.  [Philadelphia is 68% Black but acts like second class citizens] They have so much to be proud of, but they disrespect their accomplishments.  When they should be coalescing and coming together with all they know and all they have, they pick that very time to do the exact opposite.  "Philadelphians - especially elected officials - should read W.E.B. du Bois' book THE PHILADELPHIA NEGRO,"  concluded the diminutive, wise, poet, educator and octogenerian.  And, while the current mayoral candidates may or may not have re-read that book, I certainly did - and it was amazing how the more things change, the more they stay the same.

I have no idea what the real strategy is behind several of our Black electeds forming a Northwest Coalition to support James Kenney - I'm sure they've rationalized it sufficiently to be comfortable with it.  However, I do know that if those in the Northwest "drink the proverbial Kool-Aid" and wake up to find that they've elected someone who has not operated in their best interest during his entire time in City Council; if they miss the opportunity of putting someone in there who has consistently been involved in bringing their best interests and needs to fruition, they're going to be sorry indeed.  Sorry like New Jersey is sorry that they have "Crispy Kreme" for Governor type sorry.

My folks always taught me that charity begins at home - you take care of the people who take care of you.  You don't change horses in mid-stream.  If Kenney is being held out to be the voice for Black Philadelphia, as Philly.com asserts, we're in trouble indeed!  The not so subtle message is that our ice is still not the right temperature.

I neither know, nor care who spearheaded this little "mutiny" - which appears to be aimed at Anthony Williams, who is currently the front runner in a line of candidates for the primary nod in May - but I do find it interesting that Rep. Evans is crediting himself with the election of Tom Wolf, the newly elected governor of Pennsylvania.  It could easily be called the Northwest Sellout Coaliton.  It smells of the old tried and true method of divide and conquer that has been effectively used for eons against Black people - right at the point when they're closest to their goals, and therefore the most vulnerable.

I neither know, nor care why the other erstwhile intelligent elected officials are jumping into this scheme; but I can say that the people themselves - their constituents - are not pleased - and are shaking their heads that such a negative example is being set by people who should be leaders.  Interestingly enough, The Philadelphia Negro played out almost an identical scenario in reference to those Blacks whose votes were given over to the opposition.  Hopefully, however, this will not be a case of history repeating itself.  I do believe, contrary to Sonia Sanchez's statement, that Black voters in Philadelphia are smarter than that, and are more awake now than ever before to any machinations that would end with their being disenfranchised - whether it's mentally, spiritually, physically, economically, educationally or otherwise.

In a few words, lest you miss my meaning:  The coalition to elect James Kenney mayor of Philadelphia is an insult to Philadelphians - Black and white - but does point up one glaring fact - we are our own worst enemies - the reason our youth can't come together is because they are witnessing their own parents and adults in the Black community who clearly don't walk their talk.  The African American community in Northwest Philadelphia would do well to take a good, long, hard look at the "electeds" who have formed this coalition in reference to any considerations for upcoming reelections.    Also remember that Detroit decided to change horses in the middle of the stream and ended up with no water, no pension money, and a host of other problems  that happens when you put someone in position who is a politician, not a leader.  

Anthony Hardy Williams, who is in a "statistical dead heat" with Kenney, has been involved in the Black community of Philadelphia - North, South, Southwest, Northwest, Central - all his life - and has made some principled stands when it comes to his constituency.  He doesn't have to go and study Black history to find out what the plight of Black Philadelphians is, he's lived it, knows it, and works to ameliorate it.  He's not only mayoral material, but leadership material.  Let's don't get it twisted just because individuals with recognizable names have come together to support the opposition.  Philadelphians have to vote in light of the direction Philadelphia must move in for the next four to eight years.  Not just on the basis of someone who discovered we had a history after having been out of school for 42 years - a fact that was obviously told to him by one of the members of the coalition.  Kenney would need another 42 years to fully understand and be effective in issues that assail Black and Brown  in particular, and Philadelphians of all nationalities and economic backgrounds in general.

According to one elected official, they were backing Kenney because he was against "stop and frisk" and supported medical marijuana - things which Anthony Williams has also supported - so what do we have here, a difference without a distinction?  The rationale of his having a "good heart" is laudable - but still not mayoral.  


Philadelphians should not, must not = will not - allow a hand full of political machinators derail their future - they will vote for the most qualified candidate for mayor of Philadelphia - who just happens to be Anthony Hardy Williams.

Stay Blessed& 
ECLECTICALLY BLACK 
Gloria Dulan-Wilson
www.gloriadulanwilson.blogspot.com/ECLECTICALLY BLACK NEWS


 

NOW THAT YOU KNOW, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT? 

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EVENT ALERT: PHILADELPHIA MAYORAL FORUM TO BE HELD APRIL 6 AT BRIGHT HOPE BAPTIST CHURCH

By Gloria Dulan-Wilson

Hello All:

Just a little blurb to let you know that though this is Monday, the day after Easter, there is still much business to focus on in Philly - with the primary just six weeks away, there will be a mayoral forum at the Bright Hope Baptist Church - 12th and Cecil B. Moore, Monday, April 6th at 6:00 PM 

ANTHONY HARDY WILLIAMS CANDIDATE FOR MAYOR OF PHILADELPHIA

There are six Democrats and one Republican running for the seat - and no time to waste.  I behooves everybody to make sure they know who's running, why they're running and what it means for you and for Philly.

With a new Governor who is tackling so much left over from a 4 year stint of neglect which has left Philadelphia bereft of funds for decent schools, decent housing, jobs, etc; it is imperative that we give him the right match to bring Philadelphia back on its feet financially, socially, educationally, emotionally (yes, I said emotionally - Corbett has given us much angst) - someone that can round out Wolf's team, but who is solidly dedicated to Philadelphia as well.

That said - instead of going straight home, make it your business to make a detour to check out the candidates.

Actually, I said there were 7 candidates running - in point of fact there are really only one, who, to my mind are worthy of consideration - the others are just distractions.  And I will tell you up front that I am not non-partisan.  I reserve the right to voice my choice because I have a vested interest in making sure that the right person is elected to office - 

Unlike what the supreme court and other entities - like the Koch Brothers - have done to the voters of the US - I don't operate under any gag order - I'm casting my support and vote for TONY WILLIAMS - I just hate to waste time mincing words and trying to be coy.  I find it disingenuous on their part to say to Non Profit organizations that they cannot endorse a candidate or even back him or her, and if they do so, they will lose their funding; while at the same time corporations have been given the same status as human beings, under the supreme court's Citizens United rule,  which allows them to donate unconscionable sums of support to candidates who shouldn't even be allowed to run for dog catcher.  Kind of backwards, don't you think?  The altruistic organizations, who work with, and speak for the people, can't endorse a candidate; but the charlatans who are bilking people out of money, buying up votes, polluting our environment and giving us Big Pharma and GMOs, are at liberty to do whatever they please.  

Even elected officials and their colleagues and employees are in trouble if they so much as mention a candidate - What happened to Civil Liberties, Freedom of Speech and one man one vote? 

Therefore, I declare myself a member of the partisan press, and retain the right to fully endorse whom I please, when I please and as often as I please - and that is ANTHONY WILLIAMS - he has the dedication and discipline as well as the vision needed for Philadelphia going forward.  I've had the opportunity to listen to all the candidates and see that Williams' background and experience in the State as well as his longstanding as a resident of Philadelphia is essential for moving Philly from the precipice to prosperity.  And I have a vested interest because the Mayor affects the lives of us all - directly and indirectly.  

Mayor Michael A. Nutter is a great mayor, who had to spend his time and energy warding off onslaughts from Corbett and his crew - 30 schools closed; budgets cut; whatever Corbett could do to undermine Philly, he did!!  It's to Nutter's credit that he had the acumen, the dedication and the determination to not let it be as devastating as it could have been.  Now Philadelphia has to bring someone on board who has the same fortitude to take it further. 

If you don't make this event this evening - make it your business to attend at least one prior to the May 19th Primary (which also happens to be Malcolm X's Birthday - PBUH). 

After the embarrassing debacle and no-show in November, that has left President Obama practically under siege, we cannot afford that kind of ignorance in Philadelphia - everybody has a responsibility to get out and vote - if you're not registered, get it done now.  Let's end this laziness and apathy - it's your city, if you don't do what you need to do to make things happen, it will be on you.  And if you do  do what you must do to make things happen, it will be on you as well - but in a good way. 

Now that you know, what are you going to do about it?

Stay Blessed & 
ECLECTICALLY BLACK 
Gloria

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