In City Brimming With Black Talent, Black Writer Laments The Lack of Color In Fenty's Cabinet
Story By Courtland Milloy
By now, you'd think D.C. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty would be feeling the heat. When a black mayor takes the helm of a majority-black city and starts replacing black Cabinet officials with white ones, you'd expect him to get at least some static.
Not Fenty. He appoints a white police chief. Good reception. Names a white fire chief. Cool. White city administrator. Hailed as one of the best. School chancellor is Korean American. He's thinking outside the box.
"When I'm out in the community, most people are telling me that they want officers walking the beat, more aggressive community policing and reductions in crime. Nine out of 10 people I meet want the schools fixed. They are not asking for one type of person for the job -- the issue is getting the job done."
Fenty, 36, is fast emerging as the District's first black mayor who is not particularly race conscious. Moving about the city like an old-fashioned ward boss, brim of his black hat turned down on his bald head -- all the while sending a message that as long as the city's top dog is black, nobody has to worry about his subordinates being white.
As unbelievable as this may sound, Black people want competent folks handling our business as well. What pisses us off is when we're denied opportunities because of our melon-rich skin, while some White men in this day and age still -- perhaps subconsciously-- feel entitled to all the goodies.
Look no further than the 2008 Presidential Election and the Obama dilemma both Democrats and Republicans are struggling with. Who's going to stop talking about his race first, Blacks or Whites?
Let's put five on it.