After The Fact — Eastpionte Premier
Last year, I ran for a city council seat — my debut into politics on a local level. Though I didn’t win, I learned a great deal — what to do and what not to do in politics.
This year, I ran as a write-in candidate for the school board in Eastpointe and won — against two other people. And I learned even more. Politics is not for the feint of heart, nor for those who hate being criticized, nor for those who have thin skins and are easily moved by their emotions. Politics — unfortunately — is the vehicle our society uses to voice our choice for those who proclaim to want to lead us — in the right direction and though imperfect, it’s all we have for the moment. Every eligible voter could do more to “perfect” the politics by vetting every candidate in every election — research, research, research and then ask the candidates questions, understanding, a lie will cross the lips of some.
Not long after the election, a council meeting took place on December 17, 2019 — the meeting depicted near the end of this video — with a number of residents participating in the hearing of the public. They were not happy, and many felt betrayed. They had voted for the mayor and learned after the fact — she cared more about being the first black mayor than she did about all the residents in Eastpointe. In fact, on more than one occasion, residents heard this repeated phrase — Eastpointe is racist, or telling anyone who would listen how she had to deal with racism all the time. A year later — not much has changed and many residents want to recall the mayor because of her disrespect of residents and other city employees. She’s made it quite clear and has others convinced, she wants to control every aspect of this city and she won’t stop until she has taken over and transformed Eastpointe — into another version of Detroit and we all know what happened to Detroit with white flight.
But this was supposed to be about ranked choice voting and throughout the video we hear the claims that minorities didn’t get a chance to vote for their choice. That’s not true. White people as well as black people wanted for white candidates and in 2017, they voted for black and white — from both sides of the racial fence. Eric Holder and the rest of the DOJ team were wrong. People vote for their choice and if their choice doesn’t win, it’s not about the color of their skin, but more about the campaign run by the minority.
A number of white residents were asked about their vote during the years in question that would indicate a black candidate didn’t stand a chance. A number of black candidates had run for office in Eastpointe, and lost but admitted they didn’t really “campaign” outside of their immediate vicinity. A number of white residents didn’t even know a black person had run and when — after three tries — Monique Owens won a seat, it wasn’t because she was the only black person on the ballot, but because there were five black people on the ballot. What we don’t hear from her on this video is that fact, but we do hear how she’s “making history” with her mayoral run and it has become apparent since last year, that making history is all she cares about.
I’ve watched and listened and there’s not much good I can say about the last year in Eastpointe that has resulted from having a black mayor. The entire country has seen her in action and many have wondered how we allowed her to get elected. I’ve gotten calls from people in GA and NC and OH and CA and PA who have either read about her or watched an interview with her and they came away — embarrassed for our city.
Having a fairly large following on Social Media and in making my view points known, has possibly put me in a position to hear more from people who don’t live in the city. It’s really bad when either the name or a picture of her triggers a snicker and much head shaking.
At any rate, much has changed since last year and much more will change — hopefully for the better since a number of residents have decided that change must take place, now and they are actively involved in making sure change comes to Eastpointe — change that indicates all are welcomed and embraced in our family town. We’re doing so with the creation of a sculpture that will serve as a lasting symbol of our diversity and inclusiveness, equality for all and safe haven for all. We are the Eastpointe Advocates Supporting Equality and we’re just getting started and will not stop until we have achieved our goal. Our group represents the diversity we seek to sustain in Eastpointe — we are black, white, old, young, male and female. We come from various walks of life, but we are laser-focused and all working together to achieve and become a model for the rest of America in learning how to live in a society where equality matters. Feedback is welcomed!
We encourage all to join us in creating an environment that embraces all and ensures equality is the foundation for every decision and policy established to govern all in all situations. Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/EastpointeAdvocatesSupportingEquality to watch our progress.
