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ARCHIVES OF EDITORIALS
September 18, 2003 The right choice Elected public officials hold office for only as long as the electorate wish them to serve. No politician has the right to expect to be chosen to serve indefinitely. While incumbency provides many advantages, there are also some disadvantages. It is impossible to hold office for an extended time without disappointing a number of constituents. Charles Yancey, who has been Boston City Councilor from Dorchester’s 4th district for 20 years, faces a serious opponent for the first time. Some who have grievances against Yancey’s performance over the years have decided to support his opponent, Ego Ezedi. That would be a major mistake. African Americans, Latinos and Asians are entering an extraordinary period in the city’s history. For the first time ever, the city’s so-called minorities have become the majority population. However, this will not result in political dominance immediately because too many people of color have not yet become citizens. But a political sea change is imminent. The under-18 population in the 2000 US Census provides a clear indication of what the trend will be in this decade. Only 25.4 percent of the under 18 population in Boston is white. Blacks and those designated “others” account for 43.5 percent of the total. Latinos and Asians account for 31.1 percent. In light of this demographic shift, the political agenda for the community must be to begin to organize to assert the political primacy that the new demographics portend. When he first announced his candidacy, Ezedi promised that he would get the potholes filled and would arrange for other services essentially by being overly friendly with the mayor. Indeed there is no reason to be rude to the mayor or anyone else. Every human being deserves respect. But it is absurd to suggest that we should sacrifice the agenda that benefits the community in order to be assured that potholes will be filled promptly. Boston has a strong-mayor form of government. The mayor controls all city services. The only way that a city councilor can guarantee to his constituents that they will receive priority treatment for city services is if the councilor agrees to be subservient. Ezedi has essentially declared that he is willing to be obsequious. Over the years Yancey has demonstrated a willingness to stand against the vested interests which promote policies that do not benefit people of color. It is no wonder, then, that the mayor and several city councilors have embraced the Ezedi campaign. White politicians can read the demographic data. They know that the only way they can retain their control of the city is to see to it that only blacks and Latinos who are tractable get elected. Without fanfare Yancey has accomplished much for his district. He built the Mattapan Police Station, a library and community centers. He pushed the MBTA to include more stops on the Fairmont Commuter Rail line. Since 1987 he has distributed 125,000 free books to children in his annual book fair. He passed legislation to require school buses to install those yellow safety arms to prevent school children from bolting into traffic after leaving the bus. On the council Yancey has been a stalwart advocate of human rights, public education, housing and economic development. He is not flashy and charismatic, but he is right on the issues. Yancey is personally aware of the indignities imposed on non-whites in Boston over the years. He understands how the games are played in Boston’s political arena, and with the communities of color in the majority, he will be able to build a government that benefits everyone. Vote the slate! Charles Yancey, Felix Arroyo and Chuck Turner. Editor’s note: Turner, who is facing no
challenger,
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