"white flight... said...

not much activity or interest on the Lamar blog - I think the lecture did it."

The lecture? I think you're wrong on all three claims, but what do I know?

What I find most interesting is that this person signed their name "white flight." Boy, if that isn't a strong indication of his/her political philosophy, then it must a strange example of nuanced irony.

Recently, it has occured to me that the biggest problem facing Central Louisiana is that there seems to be a lack of the balanced, mainstream perspective. Everyone wants to claim that they're "mainstream," because it makes them feel sane. But I have only met a handful of people who really understand that Alexandria is most effective when there is a consensus. There will never be a consensus when the white community and the black community constantly bicker about who "should be" in power. The truth is that both blacks and whites deserve positions of power.

The Failures of White Leadership: 1. Underfunding (for over forty years) the development of majority black neighborhoods like Lower Third. 2. Not respecting the expert opinions of many black businessmen and community leaders. This is either due to entrenched racism or plain ignorance. Or both. 3. Not understanding or empathizing with the unique struggles of minorities. The "boot straps" concept can only go so far. 4. Not presenting a leader who can truly facilitate discussion and build a consensus. 5. Installing their own good ol' boys to the exclusion of others.

The Failures of Black Leadership: 1. Overcompensating projects in majority black neighborhoods, much in the same way a white-run council overcompensated projects in white neighborhoods. 2. Misplacing their priorities, and feeling an obligation to a small group of constituents, less than half of whom actually vote, to the exclusion of more rational, holistic approach. (i.e. The Master Plan should dedicate attention to all areas of town). 3. Not respecting or empathizing with the expert opinions of many white businessmen and community leaders. This is either due to entrenched racism or plain ignorance. Or both. 4. Not presenting a leader who can truly facilitate discussion and build a consensus. 5. Installing their own good ol' boys to the exclusion of others.

This entry was posted by Blogger, on Saturday, March 25, 2006.