OK, I’ve been way out of the loop. My computer’s hard drive crashed and burned, along with all my information (back up in the “cloud”, but buying another computer and trying to restore everything has been all-consuming). I haven’t blogged for a long time, not even since the big game. I am thrilled we are going to the Superbowl, and never thought I’d see it. If you read the previous post, I was a little ahead of the game in dissing the almighty NFL–as they tried to lay claim to “Who Dat?”
Bad, BAD PR move. The Jazz Fest tried that tactic over a decade ago, and it didn’t work.
Anyway, the Best of The Beat was a great success again this year; everyone had a fantastic time; the musicians and music businesses felt honored. So we did our job. And everyone had a really good time. Would like your suggestions for next year, if you please. Keep in mind that the whole shebang is financed by OffBeat and our sponsors. Question: if you’ve been to Best of The Beat over the years, do you prefer the House of Blues or the other venues we’ve used?
And here’s what really stimulated me to my daily rant: How is it that the “ministers” in New Orleans have any credibility when they endorse a candidate? How can they endorse a political candidate? In fact, how can they have anything whatsoever to do with politics and still maintain their non-profit status? Isn’t that illegal? Am I missing something here? A lot of political candidates tout the fact (most recently John Georges’ campaign) that they’re endorsed by a bunch of ministers? Frankly, I personally believe that this is a racist tool to entice black voters. I hate this crap. I know I’m idealist and naive, but I’m still waiting for this city to judge its leaders on their merit, and concern for the community, as well as their performance, not the color of their skin or how much money they have in their campaign chest.
It's not that you're an idealist and naive, it's that you pretend not to already have a favorite candidate picked out and mask it by attacking others when you're woefully underinformed. Your simplistic and obtuse attack on Georges fails to acknowledge what's painfully obvious to anyone who's done more than pass judgment based on gossip and innuendo.
For instance, Jan, perhaps their support for Georges stems from the fact that in the months after Katrina he was the first to come forward and present real tangible assistance to rebuild churches in New Orleans when no one else did, helping rebuild half a dozen churches in the city, without fanfare, without grandstanding. He provided them with materials, resources and God forbid, money to help keep churches throughout the city alive. How sad that we criticize a man who's financially successful in this town because he dares to be rich and successful. Now THAT's naive. And it's arrogant. You imply racism because a white man helps black churches, communities rebuild? Do you see how silly you sound?
He's not racist, nor is he corrupt. John Georges, by the very nature of the businesses he owns and operates, is the most regulated and scrutinized person in the state of Louisiana. The Louisiana State Police oversee all his gaming business enterprises, FDA, ATF and countless other state and federal investigative and regulatory agencies are required to monitor the prescription drugs he sells, the food in the groceries he serves, and more. And while no one wants to pay more taxes for better streets, better police, and better schools, John Georges and his businesses generate more money for those government enterprises than anyone else you can name. It's actually kind of pathetic that the people whose tax dollars we need most are the ones most criticized by those looking to mouth lazy platitudes and cliches rather than do their homework and learn what the truth really is.
As for ministers' involvement in southern political life, it was the black churches that were the backbone of the civil rights movement and the focal points for political and social resistance to segregation and racism. That is their legacy. And what of the evangelical right wing churches? Are African American churches supposed to sit quietly by while conservative or right wing churches and ministers have the bully pulpit to themselves? What do you think Dr. King was, a dentist?
You need to do some homework and revisit these issues when you know more about what you're talking about.
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