To pack political punch, District 7 must vote

To pack political punch, District 7 must vote
By Joe Fitzgerald  |   Monday, March 14, 2011  |  http://www.bostonherald.com  |  Columnists

Even those who presume to speak for this city’s black population are somewhat uncomfortable attempting to explain why 93 percent of the registered voters in District 7 chose not to participate in last month’s primary election to fill the City Council seat left vacant by the expulsion of Chuck Turner.

“It’s problematic,” Minister Don Muhammad admits. “It says they (voters) don’t feel their presence is having that much of an impact. I don’t agree with that assessment, but that’s what’s happening in the black community.”

Tomorrow’s final election, pitting Tito Jackson, 35, against Cornell Mills, 36, offers a compelling choice between two articulate sons of the district, both of whom have spoken with passion and clarity on issues affecting their neighbors.

“The problem,” one prominent leader suggests, “is two-fold. First, there’s resentment over Turner’s criminal outcome. I think it’s caused despair. Secondly, I’m not sure either Jackson or Mills has a strong enough name to galvanize people. I think those are the reasons you’re seeing such apathy.”

He’s probably right, but it makes no sense.

Democracy is like a muscle; the more you exercise it, the stronger it gets. With 30,319 eligible voters, District 7 has a potentially powerful punch. Imagine if Jackson or Mills arrived at City Hall on the wings of an assertive political base fully engaged in the process.

What juice that would give them. Like E.F. Hutton, they’d find everyone listening whenever they spoke, assuring them of a prominent seat at the table of governance, casting a long shadow in the corridors of power.

But that’s not a scenario they can create. They’ve done their parts by running, and running well. It’s up to those 30,319 voters to collectively give them a voice that must be heard, a voice that cannot be ignored.

Why should the community settle for being a political mistress, a place manipulative pols visit every few years to be seen speaking in a black church, never to be seen again until the next election?

Why not be a player instead?

In this week’s Bay State Banner, the lead opinion piece contends white men don’t like President Obama; it’s next to a man-in-the-street survey asking if there’s a conspiracy to destroy black politicians.

Please. With tomorrow’s opportunity to light a candle by sending a strongly backed councilor to City Hall, why do so many still choose to waste time and space cursing the darkness?

Maybe that’s the real problem in District 7.

If so, here’s hoping Jackson or Mills might be the cure.

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