By Antonio D. French
Filed Wednesday, November 14, 2007 at 8:09 AM
Last week St. Louis County state representative candidate Don Calloway, Jr. penned a letter to the St. Louis American questioning the strategy of those involved in the effort to recall St. Louis City Mayor Francis Slay. Calloway, an attorney Labels: Beefs, Francis_Slay, Mayor, Recallat the firm Thompson Coburn (as of July, Calloway is now with the firm Lathrop & Gage) and a political newbie, is running in the district currently represented by Ester Haywood, who is term-limited.
Calloway's letter fails to mention that Rev. Shields is his campaign treasurer.
Whatever justification there may be for the criticism [against Slay], the current recall effort is possibly the most horrendous thing the anti-Slay contingent could have come up with ...
... A recall, similar to any other election, is a battle of campaign finance. The pro-Slay contingent will be raising lots of cash to combat the recall. The pro-recall committee doesn’t have the support of an established political base to give enough money to make the recall effort viable. Furthermore, political donations are public record. This will force otherwise-closeted supporters who could give big money to support a recall into the open, which many are not willing to risk.
The Slay for Mayor October 2007 quarterly report shows $318,000 on hand, every penny of which can be lawfully used to battle a recall. Strategically, the pro-recall committee has helped Slay, by giving him a golden opportunity to raise money that will eventually go to his 2009 reelection effort...
Most importantly, the pro-recall effort will weaken the moral authority and political viability of our most important advocacy group: the St. Louis Clergy Coalition.
Contrary to mainstream media reports, the recall is NOT a Clergy Coalition thing, it is a Rev. Douglas Parham thing. As president of the coalition, Parham had to have known that taking a stand as the face of the recall would paint the entire coalition as being in support. This is not the case. At the Oct. 21 recall rally, coalition members in support included Parham and the Rev. James T. Morris, who as a candidate for the state House can take political stances. Where were the Revs. Sammy Jones, Earl Nance Jr. or E.G. Shields? The recall is not a Clergy Coalition endeavor.
In response, local activist Eric Vickers, who is one of the organizers of the recall effort, wrote an open letter to Calloway defending the strategy and attacking the young candidate for his old thinking.[Calloway's] claim that the recall is infeasible because it "doesn’t have the support of an established political base," is indicative of the racial paradox that has stymied the collective progress by blacks in this city. That paradox, simply put, is the difference between talk and action, the difference between black leaders being captive or being free.
Click here to read Calloway's full letter.
Too many of this city’s black leaders (and blacks in positions like Calloway) live in a benign state of captivity in which they dare not confront the powers that crush beloved black men like Sherman George. They are as afraid today to face and fight a mayor as Frederick Douglas was initially with his slave master. They say it is a difference of means and methods and approaches, but in the end it is fear.
In the end, they are leaders who, as Douglas poetically put it, "profess to favor freedom and deprecate agitation," but "want crops without plowing up the ground…rain without thunder and lightning."
In the end, they will realize that Douglas is right about Mayor Slay: "power concedes nothing without a demand."
Click here to read Vickers' full response.
25 Comments:
Eric Vickers is a sad bigot. His "leadership" teaches nothing but hate and distrust. I do not hate white people like Mr. Vickers, Ms. Nasheed and Rev. Parnham teach us. Instead I embrace white people as my brothers and sisters. As my brothers and sisters I will reason with them and educate them on the needs for change.
Hatred and blame leads to violence.
I pray for Mr. Vickers, Ms. Nasheed and the Reverend. Only God can speak to those whose hearts are so full of hate.
11/14/2007 8:46 AM
Tell me again why Mr. Calloway is offering his opinion on this matter which is outside of his district and his experience level?
11/14/2007 8:57 AM
Anonymous 8:46 a.m. - Interesting and insightful comment. Hatred, racial or any other kind, only hurts a community. Presently, militant black hatred is more prevalent or apparent than the insidious white hatred. There are too many good folks inbetween who do not deserve anyone's hatred or malice to promote such hatred.
Let's all pray for compassion, peace, and forgiveness where needed.
11/14/2007 9:02 AM
^ A county rep candidate questioning the political tactics of a county clergyman. Why not?
11/14/2007 9:03 AM
Ms. Nasheed does not hate white people.
I do not agree with the recall nor the tactics used in this case.
However, I am white and Ms. Nasheed and I get along just fine.
Hate is a strong word.
11/14/2007 9:37 AM
One of the serious issues being raised by Mr. Calloway, an attorney, is the blurring of the distinction between the actions of individuals involved in the recall effort and the organizations they represent.
Think of the individuals leading the recall. What organizations do they represent? Are these 501(c)3 not-for-proft, charitable corporations?
Are these organizations allowed to engage in political activity? In recall efforts?
If not, shouldn't the organizations offcially disavow any connection to the remarks or actions of these individuals?
11/14/2007 9:39 AM
I'm siding with Mr. Calloway on this one. I think the recall is HIGHLY unlikely to say the least. Its just better ways off going about the means to an end. Such as using that time and energy to groom and fund a candidate to put against Slay in 09. I guess no one of substance (Mike McMillian anyone one)is willing to put the will of the people over their own ambition. Or how about try to und a ballot measure to make the Fire chief an elected position (I bet you'd have a much easier time getting signatures for that). And Don's article was in no way a vote of confidence for Slay as Pub Def gives the picture that it is and Vickers as well, he is saying lets find someone to run against Slay and beat him in 09.
As of right now the recallers have a high hill to hoe. First you have to successfully recall Slay, which will be difficult in itself (if not impossible), then you have to find a candidate to run after the recall.
11/14/2007 10:16 AM
I think Calloway is helping to illustrate how the recall effort is causing divisions in the black community, and that's hardly the outcome desired by the recallers.
11/14/2007 11:06 AM
Don Calloway is an attorney at Lathrop & Gage, not Thompson Coburn.
11/14/2007 11:28 AM
To paraphrase Mr. Vicker's statement to Calloway "Quit Cooning!".
11/14/2007 1:45 PM
John, you are wrong about your black friends.
11/14/2007 3:55 PM
Dividing the black race, they don't even vote.
11/14/2007 3:58 PM
Slay you can do better than this dude.
11/14/2007 7:49 PM
Nasheed is finishing what lazy Coleman started and couldn't finish.
11/14/2007 7:50 PM
Mike will be running for Mayor in 2013. That's it period.
11/14/2007 9:22 PM
How is Don Calloway "cooning"? How is he being disloyal to the African American community? By expressing a voice of dissent? By not being a recall lemming? And why is Eric Vickers, Jamilah Nasheed and Douglas Parham's opinion tantamount to the "black" opinion on this issue? Be real people. It's especially sad, because if you READ Calloway's writing, he criticizes the mayor.
Black people are not, and have never been monolithic in opinion. It's sad that some blacks would still seek to quash a dissenting voice, even when it is fundamentally rooted in agreement, that the Mayor is no good.
Even more telling is that Vickers, nor any commenter can attack the merits of Mr. Calloway's argument; they can only attack the man.
11/14/2007 10:59 PM
Opinions CAN BE LIKE A**HOLES and unfortunately St Louis has many in the wrong places for the wrong things. Our Mayor needs a large wake up call to lead the injustices this city has ongoing. He has dreams of being a Federal Judge and I don't see that happening with the problems he has on his hands DO U? The taxpayers and voters see lots they are afraid to tell for fear of city hall..WHY??? Its a lawyer's game and very old for most of us. Heck we even have an Alderman in the 14th ward (Steve Gregali) on state probation(unsupervised) and not getting arrested by the police here for drinking and breaking his Probation in Butler County..Any comment Francis Slay on that one?
11/15/2007 12:49 AM
Calloway makes a balanced and eloquent argument based in his field of expertise, the law. One would think this counts for something. Perhaps more public voices should speak from their informed, educated point of reference.
We all love the Chief. But, the Lord knows he wouldn't go back now if he was asked. The recall is an ill-advised, opportunistic power play by political outsiders. Were it not for the stand-off between the American and the Mayor's office there wouldn't even be real coverage of it.
11/15/2007 1:25 AM
Isnt Eric Vickers a disbarred lawyer???? What legislation has Nasheed (Neicy Williams) every passed??? What legislation has she wrote for that matter??? Are these really the people we want to be led by? Maybe you do, but not not me. Maybe we should look at some of the authors of this ill-advised recall. What are their credentials, shining moments of success, or otherwise? If we put 200k into recalling the mayor, put it this way thats 200k less we have to fund a candidate in 09. Obviously Mike isnt running until 13.......but we can find someone who is ready to step up to the challenge right NOW!!!
As for Don the man stuck his neck out (even though ill advise, a county resident, who is running in the county, chiming in on the city problems) with an alternative approach to the recall. Don would have been better served by stating why the sales tax increase is a good thing to fund a new rail for metro.
I like the idea of trying to get a ballot measure to change the city's charter from making the Chief and appointed position to an elected position.
But at the end of the day I would much rathwer recieve the counsel of Don Calloway over Eric Vickers........and damn sure over Nasheed who can barely put together a coherent sentence.
But more power to the recallers, I, on the other hand, will find a better way to use my time and resources.
By the way Mayor Slay needs to go..........simply put.
11/15/2007 9:56 AM
With all due respect to the passions and varied positions expressed on this topic, are those attacking Mr. Calloway and/or his suggestions seriously considering the strategic consequences of such a move. That is, Missouri, arguably a very conservative state, is about to consider whether to eliminate affirmative action. Without active and intense advocacy against the same, we are setting ourselves up for something far more detrimental and lasting than whatever harm Slay has accoplished during his term(s) in office.
Beyond that, we are a PEOPLE with limitations. I am not suggesting for a moment that such limitations ought to be used as a crutch by which we stay in a crippled state. However, I am suggesting that we do not serve our prosperity by reactively responding to any and all perceptions of disrespect. When we do this, we limit our fight to the boundaries set forth by those whose respect we seem to so desparately need.
Contrary to the above, what we need is a balanced, strategic, and tenacious approach to the issues of our day wherein we do not blindly follow a "movement" (cf. the Jena Six marches and fundraising) without first assessing the lay of the land.
As a separate matter, Mr. Vickers speaks of the Mayor's disrespect of the "Black community," but then immediately disenfranchises Black professionals as being disinterested or disqualified from expressing an opinion or offering advice. I believe this view is in the minority. But just as Ward Connerly quotes Dr. King out of context, so, too does Mr. Vickers' use of Fredrick Douglas to critique Calloway carry a venemous sting. If we are to preserve any sense of community, then we can not join in such self-defeating battles.
Finally, I do not know why Mrs. Nasheed is being attacked by several of the posters. She is of the people and for the people and regardless of any disagreement that she may have with Mr. Calloway's stance, I have always known her to respond intelligently and professionally when challenged. So, too, should those who disagree with Mr. Vickers respect his tireless service for the community. At the end of the day, I agree "power concedes nothing without demand." However, we have got to learn that nothing can be demanded by a powerless people.
WEDJr
11/15/2007 12:48 PM
If Jeff Rainford would resign, the level of bad choices and pain would be reduced.
Slay has surrounded himself with bad choices. The media blasted Bosley for his bad picks, but not Slay.
11/15/2007 1:52 PM
Didn't Rainford get fired from KMOV for unethical journalism practices,if true I guess he now has unethical administrative practices in that damn Slay's office!
11/15/2007 7:11 PM
Calloway talks like a House Negro..Look up House Negro and Field Negro...and you will understand why he is being criticized by the black community...
11/15/2007 11:25 PM
totally unncessary. you're a complete fucking idiot.
11/16/2007 9:49 AM
It looks as though the mayor has already struck a major divide in the black community. The amazing thing is both sides dont care for him, they just disagree with the means to the end. So instead of working together, the recall side has decided to attack Calloway and the other guys who think like minded.
Simply put, unreal. How come we as blacks al ways find a way to let people divide and conquer, instead of finding common ground about the things we agree on to build???? Can someone answer me that?
Reasonable minds would think if both sides have the goal of ousting Slay, why not coordinate efforts even if you dont agree with they way the other group feels is more effective. I guess unity in the black community really is dead.
11/16/2007 10:15 AM
Post a Comment
<< Home