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I feel like black people in my city of South Bend are being used. And not for the good of South Bend or this country. I hope it doesn't set us back or harm us after our usefulness has waned.
We have a primary election here today to see who the next dem. mayoral candidate will be. Our airways are not filled with anti-Pete commercials. Instead, candidates speak about expanding on what Pete and others have done for the city.
There were homes that needed to be torn down and neighborhoods are better for it. If people saw the condition of some of these homes most would have agreed with them being torn down.
We're a city that saw good-paying factory jobs leave. My mother still tells us stories about her dad being able to buy their first house across Western Ave while working at Studebaker. She talks about him never being the same when it closed.
Now, I see people in my family getting city grants for downpayment assistance and becoming first-time homeowners. Getting higher paying jobs as bus drivers, casino workers and making enough money to move to better neighborhoods and feeling like their head is above water.
Those stories aren't present in the media's portrayal of Pete's problem with black people in South Bend. Where are the agency and fiery demanding spirit of our people in these stories? Where are the black people who actually have a seat at the table in these stories?
South Bend has a long history of black political activist that have dedicated their lives to making sure our voices and issues are represented. We are not easy to ignore. It feels like our voices are muted while our blackness and issues are being used to for a story.
Does everyone agree with Mayor Pete here? No. Name a politician who has 100% agreement. I'm done. Thanks for allowing my rant.
