I have no problem with this letter; it comes from a hearfelt motivation of concern for his community and neighborhood--from real passion and frustration, not grandstanding. Would that more politicians get fed up with those who thumb their nose at those who are trying to live peaceful, productive, healthy lives in our communities and stand up and do something. Note: in his letter, there was no hint of racial animus or demagoguery. He's just voicing the concerns of many who don't have a voice but feel the same way in the black community, for that matter. Neither did he threaten the young man.

Personally, I would not use this language but I understand his frustration, and I think he's trying to fulfill the duties of his office in protecting and advocating for those he represents.

While I understand that there is a time and a place for everything, I am not mad at the Councilman. Sometimes you have to speak in a way for the other person to get it. ETA: that chit was funny. Call a spade a spade. I think we tend to play the race card when there is no need to do so.

And Mom needs to stop it. It's a little too late now to be concerned about your son's "image".

I am hoping that some jackleg "we have to excuse people's behavior because they are poor and black" activist does NOT get involved in this situation. I am not seeing how a platform of coddling the Arsenio Winstons of the world could win.

It may look odd because the councilman is white and his constitutents are AfAm, but if his constitutents, who are the people who should count in the political equation, are praising him, why the fuss? And as an aside, I bet he may have had help in preparing the statement to make sure that it couldn't be crafted to insult all AfAms.