My mea culpa: An apology to Katrinna Martin-Bordeaux and the Young Black Democrats of WNY
Last edited Mon Jan 4, 2016, 11:00 PM - Edit history (2)
And Luminous Animal here on GDP.
I want to do this publicly and not in the current Young Black Democrats thread where it could be lost. I made a big enough mistake that I want to be visible about it.
Yesterday I posted a number of things pertaining to Katrinna Martin-Bordeaux's history here in Buffalo including some of the controversies surrounding her time as campaign manager for a local politician named Joe Mascia who ended up being recorded calling a number of other politicians the N-word. I mentioned that there was controversy around her in this incident with regards to enabling the racist candidate because of a desire to retain her position and that she was a part of the following political nastiness.
And after doing a fair amount of research here locally today, I'm going to own up to the fact that I was wrong. Really wrong.
Luminous Animal tried telling me that I had an incomplete version of the story, but I, in arrogance of believing that I had enough knowledge of the incident due to being locally involved, didn't listen.
The fact is, Martin resigned her post once she had her ducks in a row, less than a week after the recording was made public. She publicly repudiated Joe Mascia's behavior and called for him to step out of the race. From a large variety of different sources I found today, it is clear that she had no idea of Joe Mascia's private views and was taken by as much shock as we all were.
I also mentioned that I didn't trust the timing of the announcement in supporting Bernie happening on the same day as the selection of the Clinton Delegates, as a number of figures from the controversy were on the Clinton team. I realize in hindsight this is simply a coincidence and not a push to continue any bad blood behind this past summer. I mistook the publishing dates as being the dates each of the events happened, which is a truly stupid thing to do.
The truth is, I let the controversy of this summer's local political implosion cloud the very real work Martin has done here in Buffalo to raise awareness for how the revitalization of our city has not touched areas and people that need it the most. Her work as a social activist should not be ignored and her status should not be diminished due to Joe Mascia.
I'm a Hillary supporter, but my criticism of her was undeserving and not worthy of the level I try to hold myself to when posting seriously (as opposed to snarkily).
So, I'm sorry. Bernie should be proud to have her on his side.
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Very well done. 
Nice nice
You continually reaffirm my opinion of you, which is "to the moon", etc.
I still have problems with LA. 
Thank you for that update. 
That is an excellent apology and explanation.
You do credit to yourself and your candidate.
