Quote: O'Malley's Baltimore history will make him toxic to African Americans

[JustAnotherGen]

Does anyone here agree with this? I know we have one active participant back here that is not going to vote for him in the Primary -

But why is this true?

What am I missing?

I'm trying to put myself in the shoes of a law abiding citizen in Baltimore when he took office - and I'm trying to understand why not wanting crack dealers in front of my home is a bad thing?


I'm also wondering - - there was one interview (I have to dig it up) where he appears to be the only one on the field who understands we have to start 'where we are at'.

I'm all for assistance with student loans and university level education and debt - but there are some people in this country (many in urban AND rural areas) that didn't receive the education from the mid/late 90's that are now coming of age and they aren't prepared for University. And perhaps their skill better lays in a skilled trade. I want someone who gets we need folks who are highly trained to fix our vehicles, install our water heaters, rewire our electric panels, electrolysis, etc. etc.

That training and educational assistance can get young people work for ready now - as opposed to later.

So what am I missing AfAm DU family?

[daleanime]

1. ......

[giftedgirl77]

2. While O'Malley was Mayor 1/6 of the minority community

got incarcerated. He did a lot more than just lock up crack dealers, he took the broken windows police tactic & started harassing everyone that was minority in their own neighborhood. You couldn't sit on your own front porch without getting accused & harassed by the police.

He might of changed his tune now & has all great of ideas about what amazing things he can do for Americans but you don't treat people like criminals just for living in their neighborhood then come out of office & say my bad.

[JustAnotherGen]

3. I think that's how I feel about all four

Sanders seems extremely removed - from me. Bright guy - but does he get 'me'? I don't know . . .
Clinton has a history - check LiberalStalwart's posts back here.
Webb - directly going after white male working class voters.

[giftedgirl77]

4. It's not like any of them are going to do anything super duper

for the minority communities. But O'Malley has a nasty track record. I don't know about Sanders because I can't make heads or tails of him. Webb's just a flake & while HRC does have a track record I don't think our lively hoods are high on any of their priority levels.

I had a discussion about O'Malley a while back & his track record back as mayor is why I have great disdain for him.

All of them will say nice things to get our vote but at the end of the day I still have to worry about my son's every time they leave the house & I have less & less doubts that it is going to get better under anyone else.

[kwassa]

6. O'Malley was using the policing tactic of his era, the broken windows theory.

Pioneered by William Bratton of the NYPD, who ironically back as New York City Police Commissioner. The idea was that by stopping low level criminal activity, it would also reduce larger criminal activity. The crime rate came way down under O'Malley, and many other places using this tactic. It also came down in places that didn't use this tactic, apparently, and no one is exactly sure why. Bratton still firmly believes in this strategy, others are getting more skeptical about it, as it ends up harassing minority communities.

O'Malley had a lot of African-American support in Baltimore, despite the high arrest rates.

[JustAnotherGen]

10. I have an old friend from high school that moved there for work

11 Years ago - and she's very pro O'Malley. She really respects him for his mea culpa.

[kwassa]

16. O'Malley would be a viable candidate if it wasn't for Hillary.

It is interesting how Democrats have coalesced around her. If the Repubs stay as dis-unified as they are right now, Hillary will be it.

O'Malley is finally getting to be known outside of Maryland. He is playing a good long game against big odds, but it might pay off down the road.

[MrScorpio]

5. I agree

I'm glad someone else noticed.

[JustAnotherGen]

12. Oh - I noticed!

[1StrongBlackMan]

7. I saw that line in another thread ...

and meant to re-visit it to see who said it. I recall "feeling" something ... whether it was "I know how Black folks (should) think (act), or whether it was an identified Bernie (or HRC) supporter ... but it just didn't feel right to me.

Now I can't find the original post ... so, I'll never know/be about to resolve that feeling.

[JustAnotherGen]

11. Here's the post

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1014&pid=1099432

I didn't think it rose to discussion beyond what I posted - but I didn't see myself in this demographic.

Not sure where that poster is - but based on some things Liberal Stalwart has posted - I think if that Clinton supporters are hoping for a grand smack down of him by her -

That's going to back fire. She has to stand down.

[1StrongBlackMan]

14. Ahh ...

Now I know what I was feeling ...

I didn't see myself in this demographic.

You wouldn't. It was someone presuming to speak for you.

[JustAnotherGen]

15. Another one

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=6707619

And Tarhereldem - she's awesome as usual!

[Number23]

9. This is a great thread/discussion. I know nothing about O'Malley so it's good to read gg's, kwassa

and your commentary.

[JustAnotherGen]

13. And see how it went

I don't have to be defensive with gifted girl or Kwassa -

They gave good information.