Dear Piece of Trash ~ Cleveland Councilman Sounds Off Against a Drug Dealer

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by TonyB06

how?

The representation theme remains constant, just substitute fraternity/sorority for ward. How many members of GC would be comfortable with the president of their national org. writing to someone in this format?

Leadership has to set a higher standard ....that's why they're leadership.

Come on TonyB, you are stretching it to make your point. The president of my org and my city council member are in two different positions with two different purposes, and two different election modes.

But if you want to compare Darryl Matthews (btw, nice fellow--I met him during the Kappa Klave) to your city council member then go ahead. Personally I wouldn't do that with Soror Rice.

[TonyB06]

Originally Posted by ladygreek

Come on TonyB, you are stretching it to make your point. The president of my org and my city council member are in two different positions with two different purposes, and two different election modes.

But if you want to compare Darryl Matthews (btw, nice fellow--I met him during the Kappa Klave) to your city council member then go ahead. Personally I wouldn't do that with Soror Rice.

LG,
I'm not stretching at all, because my point is about the standard of representation, not the group of people being represented. Would you ever approve of Ms/Mrs. Rice, in her capacity as sorority president, penning a letter like the councilman's to anyone? For any reason? I doubt it.

My comparison of frat/sorority leadership to councilman is not a comparison of job function, but of representative leadership. Mode of election has nothing to do with anything.

I've met Bro. Matthews several times, most recently a few months ago. He's a good brother. However, I suspect that if he ever wrote a letter like that in his capacity as general president of Alpha Phi Alpha, (which I'd seriously doubt he'd ever do) he'd hear about it. Quickly. And Repeatedly.

[Jody]

Tony06

I don't know what you consider "beneath the leadership" but your President's letter (publicy distributed) directed to the members of the fraternity who produced Stomp the Yard was WAY WORSE than a locally elected politician's rant against someone with whom they obviously have history.

The president of your fraternity boo hoo ing to the public about a movie was a &^*ch move if I've ever seen one.

[TonyB06]

Originally Posted by Jody

Tony06

I don't know what you consider "beneath the leadership" but your President's letter (publicy distributed) directed to the members of the fraternity who produced Stomp the Yard was WAY WORSE than a locally elected politician's rant against someone with whom they obviously have history.

The president of your fraternity boo hoo ing to the public about a movie was a &^*ch move if I've ever seen one.

I see. If that's your comparative opinion between the letter our president wrote and what the councilman authored, then we're too far apart to need any further dialogue on this topic.

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by TonyB06

I see. If that's your comparative opinion between the letter our president wrote and what the councilman authored, then we're too far apart to need any further dialogue on this topic.

As are we.

[mulattogyrl]

Originally Posted by TonyB06

LG,
I'm not stretching at all, because my point is about the standard of representation, not the group of people being represented. Would you ever approve of Ms/Mrs. Rice, in her capacity as sorority president, penning a letter like the councilman's to anyone? For any reason? I doubt it.

My comparison of frat/sorority leadership to councilman is not a comparison of job function, but of representative leadership. Mode of election has nothing to do with anything.

I've met Bro. Matthews several times, most recently a few months ago. He's a good brother. However, I suspect that if he ever wrote a letter like that in his capacity as general president of Alpha Phi Alpha, (which I'd seriously doubt he'd ever do) he'd hear about it. Quickly. And Repeatedly.

I do understand what you're saying Tony. I didn't think the letter was 'professional', but I also think that's what that person needed to hear in this situation.

I'm interested to know too though, how would we feel if one of our leaders addressed us this way? I'm really asking, why shouldn't our councilmen be held to the same standards as our organizational leaders?

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by mulattogyrl

I do understand what you're saying Tony. I didn't think the letter was 'professional', but I also think that's what that person needed to hear in this situation.

I'm interested to know too though, how would we feel if one of our leaders addressed us this way? I'm really asking, why shouldn't our councilmen be held to the same standards as our organizational leaders?

Because it is two different animals. And we must admit that there is a certain amount of superficiality in the election of our organizational leaders, and I am not just talking about sororities and fraternities. We would not elect a "rabble rouser" as a national president of our orgs but we would/should as a city council member so they could take on the "system." It's a totally different ball game.

But again, the Twin Cities is not for the faint of heart politician.

[TonyB06]

Originally Posted by mulattogyrl

I do understand what you're saying Tony. I didn't think the letter was 'professional', but I also think that's what that person needed to hear in this situation.

I'm interested to know too though, how would we feel if one of our leaders addressed us this way? I'm really asking, why shouldn't our councilmen be held to the same standards as our organizational leaders?

M,
Point blank. If your national president wrote a letter like that, on sorortity letterhead, to whomever, for whatever reason, would you think it appropriate?

[mulattogyrl]

Originally Posted by TonyB06

M,
Point blank. If your national president wrote a letter like that, on sorortity letterhead, to whomever, for whatever reason, would you think it appropriate?

Most likely, no.

[Wolfman]

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.

[nikki1920]

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".

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by TonyB06

LG,
I'm not stretching at all, because my point is about the standard of representation, not the group of people being represented. Would you ever approve of Ms/Mrs. Rice, in her capacity as sorority president, penning a letter like the councilman's to anyone? For any reason? I doubt it.

My comparison of frat/sorority leadership to councilman is not a comparison of job function, but of representative leadership. Mode of election has nothing to do with anything.

I've met Bro. Matthews several times, most recently a few months ago. He's a good brother. However, I suspect that if he ever wrote a letter like that in his capacity as general president of Alpha Phi Alpha, (which I'd seriously doubt he'd ever do) he'd hear about it. Quickly. And Repeatedly.

Again, sorority/fraternity leadership is different than city council leadership. And it IS all about the group being represented. That is their constituency.

Job function and mode of election has everything to do with your comparison which is why it is apples to oranges. I will vote for a grassroots city council member over a bureaucrat any day--I am radical like that. But then like I said that is the way it is here in the Twin Cities. Heck we elected Jesse Ventura as governor.