In this commentary (that was also sent to the CT Post), George Mintz, president of the Greater Bridgeport NAACP, takes State Rep. Charlie Stallworth to task for the city minister comparing Joe Ganim’s election to the Emancipation Proclamation. The membership of the NAACP called the statement an “outrage to the community.” Stallworth supports Ganim. From Mintz:
Does it seem to anyone that the “race card” is alive and prospering in this year’s Mayoral campaign? In the primary election odious references of dubious veracity were offered by the Finch campaign relative to the KKK. And this week the CT Post, reporting on the Mayoral campaign October 18, quoted: “On November 3, we want every city in the state of Connecticut to know that the city of Bridgeport received its Emancipation Proclamation and Joe Ganim will be our mayor.” The membership of NAACP meeting on October 22 unanimously call that statement an outrage to the community. It may be the personal opinion of State Representative Charles Stallworth but it is a most insulting historic reference by comparing the Mayoral run to a day “when the emancipation of the African-American slaves is also commemorated.”
In a week where the Board of Education asks the community to look at history and honor the situation of indigenous peoples as an alternative to an Italian American cultural holiday, we are called to a more truthful reading of history and the real meaning of the Emancipation Proclamation. If all registered voters were to take the time to listen to those who are running for office, read and reflect on what they say and what they have done in their lives and then vote on November 3, our entire City will be able to take pride in active democracy. Every vote is important!
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People knows that the quote does not represent the feeling and belief of many Bridgeport citizens, and asks those who pose as community representatives for the media to be more temperate and honest in their statements. For too long the African-American community has been used for the political purpose of others at election time and has yet to fully enjoy all the freedoms offered by the Emancipation Proclamation.
As Martin Luther King wisely stated: “Our lives begin and end the day we begin to be silent about the things that matter.”
The Reverend Stallworth is mistaking Joe Ganim for a folk hero. He is not, just a garden-variety crook who was caught and received due punishment for ripping off the people of the city of Bridgeport.
Honestly, is this the most absurd crap ever? To what length will “these people” (not a racist remark) go to erase Ganim’s assault on Bridgeport and turn him into the Moses of the Black Community. That is a Newtonism and term coined for Ernie Newton.
Before I comment, I would like to know what point Reverend Stallworth was making besides what is written above.
Reverend Stallworth made the mistake of endorsing a felon and liar and declaring his election akin to the day Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation into law. Nothing could be further from the truth.
I agree, Ron. Are we hearing just a clip of a larger comment?
The NAACP gets upset over sound bites. I wish they would find it equally outrageous no other person running for Mayor has ever walked the streets and visited the homes of Bridgeport’s poor. It is easier to overlook an omission than to make headlines with trite soundbites. People say Ganim will destroy Bridgeport’s reputation. Franky, I think most of the damage will be from people in Bridgeport who continue to damage Ganim’s reputation and do not take a step back to at least see if he delivers. That’s the problem with smear campaigns, and shame on the NAACP for reducing its cause to sound bites rather than real issues concerning social justice.
This is definitely being used as a call to arms for Ganim. Misguided and embarrassing, I am only assuming of course, to the African American Community. If they do not speak up, then it is entirely acceptable to them. “Them” this time is referring to the African American community.
More lies from the liars support the Greatest Liar in the history of our city.
“No other person running for Mayor has ever walked the streets and visited the homes of Bridgeport’s poor.” Utter Bullshit unless you are now going to claim you and others are stalking Ganim’s opponents 24-7 and can say this with authority.
Damned shame the liar needs liars to boost his campaign.
Bob, your point is hearsay and no facts. Ganim won the election by talking to people in the streets, by talking to blacks and Latinos and homeowners. He listened to their stories. Neither Finch nor Foster ever did this to the level Ganim did. IF you have proof they did it more that Ganim, then present your facts rather than whining like a little child in a tutu.
Ganim won the primary with cash and fraudulent ABs.
Just like most politicians. What’s your point?
Walsh, you are a close runner up in that category.
I concur with your observations, Mr. Mackey. I would assume there is a whole speech associated with Rev. Stallworth’s comment and not just this one sound bite. Since it’s been broached, Mr. Mintz, one must ask what have you done to make Bridgeport a better place to live for black people?
When Mayor Finch changed the hiring process that eliminated blacks from the police and fire departments for the first time in 40 to 50 years, you said nothing about how terrible that was to the future of blacks to acquire a piece of the American dream. When Mayor Finch gave those same jobs to white suburban males instead of blacks from Bridgeport, where was your outrage? You’re not outraged about that, but you are outraged about Rev. Stallworth comparing Joe Ganim to some 19th-century document.
You took over a dysfunctional organization that hasn’t done a damned thing to uplift blacks here in Bridgeport in decades. Now you have the temerity to criticize someone for exercising their First Amendment rights because you don’t agree with their reference to a 19th-century document. That has been the problem with the Bridgeport NAACP, on issues that affect the lives of its black residents, we have heard absolutely nothing, yet on puff pieces you are an outspoken critic.
The Emancipation Proclamation was a noble document that served the black people of America very well, but that was then and this is now. Our people need meaningful jobs, great educational opportunities, affordable homes, grocery stores in their neighborhoods and your efforts would be better spent advocating for those things rather than trying to make something out of this that really doesn’t warrant as much attention as you’ve given it. May I suggest the next time you take a foray into OIB it should be something substantial, something that will uplift the black people of Bridgeport and the City of Bridgeport.
DD, just to clarify, on several occasions I’ve heard Rev. Stallworth during quick stump speeches compare Ganim’s election to emancipation. I’m not saying it’s offensive language, but he certainly uses it in a rhetorical sense to rally votes for Joe.
Lennie, could you find out if there were more to Stallworth’s comment? Thanks.
Ron,
I attended the NAACP meeting last week where people in attendance voiced their outrage at the quote that was used in an article last week in the CT Post. The point of the letter was to register how offensive was the connection of a Ganim mayoral win with the historic significance of the Emancipation Proclamation that is sacred to many. There is much work to be accomplished in the entire community that is Bridgeport and part of it begins with members of organizations such as Greater Bridgeport NAACP recruiting active and concerned membership to assist in justice, economic development, and other issues that arise in the community.
There may have been more to Representative Stallworth’s comments, but that is the clip the CT Post reported. On its own it is offensive in the opinion of many, and presenting that back to the community is ‘free speech.’ George Mintz was active last week with the economic opportunity that may be present in Uber transportation employment. Or not. But it is an initiative for jobs. Come to an NAACP meeting and become part of the future activity of the organization in one or more of its initiatives. Time will tell.
Thanks Lennie, I’m not saying he did or didn’t do that. What I’m saying is as a people that should be on the bottom of our list of shit to do, dead last.
Donald, when the leadership position for the NAACP is up for election again, you should go for it. You’re more in touch with relevant issues than the present person. I remember back in the day, membership was open to people like me. Maybe I’m confused because I remember going to all the events hosted by the NAACP, so maybe I just thought I was a member. Sorry if I’m wrong, the memory’s not what is used to be. BTW, good post.
George Mintz has not been a good leader for the NAACP. There are so many other subjects he should speak out on. What members of the NAACP endorse his statement?
Lisa,
Here in the current day, today that is, the situation is yet as you describe from memory. Membership is open in the Greater Bridgeport NAACP Branch 2002-B. I was invited to participate in the spring and have attended several general and Board meetings since then.
I know very little history but believe in the goals as I read them and understand them. Board meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month and General session on the fourth Thursday of each month on the first floor meeting room of the Main Library. Meetings start at 6:30pm with an agenda and reports from Committees as well as Old and New Business. Meetings end promptly before 8:00pm, which is Library closing hour. Dues are payable to maintain a current membership if one has not provided for a Lifetime membership.
Finally, the Branch has scheduled a Freedom Fund Dinner “Voting int the Face of Injustice” for Friday, November 20, 2015 at 7:00 PM at the Holiday Inn, 1070 Main Street, Bridgeport. Tickets are $75 and a portion of the ticket includes membership.
Injustice within our community of any kind should call each of us to action and as the King quote instructs: our lives end on the day that we allow silence to reign. See you there. Time will tell.
Thanks, JML.
*** The NAACP of Bpt has nothing better to do so it seems. There very unorganized with member communications, dues collections, and overall community involvement on positive issues instead of only coming out with negative comments whenever they “feel” something is wrong concerning race issues. I know, I’ve been a ghost member on and off throughout the years on the members dues record only! *** WORD ***
I have gone to NAACP events at the Holiday Inn where it’s capacity crowd (300 people), lots of talk about change. After the meeting is over everyone goes home. You would be hard pressed to find any members to attend city board meetings or follow up for real change. LOTS OF TALK, NO ACTION. INCLUDING GEORGE MINTZ.
“With malice toward none; with clarity for all; with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation’s wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan-to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace, among ourselves and with all nations.”
“Malice towards none.”
Abraham Lincoln
March 4, 1865
Let’s see, the American Civil War cost at least 617K American lives, roughly the same number as in all of America’s other wars combined. Among the survivors, 375K were wounded. More than 2% of the population became casualties; today, that would be about 7 million Americans.
During the Civil War, an average of 504 war-caused deaths occurred daily.
In the midst of this national rupture, President Lincoln issued the final Emancipation Proclamation on Jan 1, 1863, using federal authority to free over 3 million slaves in Confederate states at the time–many of them didn’t learn of this until the war ended.
And in 2015, there’s an elected official and minister in Bridgeport who compares electing a disgraced former mayor of the city, who served seven years in prison for 16-felony-count convictions, to the Emancipation Proclamation.
Repeat that to yourself.
I know, you want to keep adding a “?” to the end of it.
?
?
?
Who has anything to say in defense of such ignorance? Only the ignorant.
www .pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/general-article/death-numbers/
Good job, Pete!
Many are ignorant about history, that’s why we keep repeating it.
On September 22, 1862, Lincoln had issued a preliminary proclamation warning he would order the emancipation of all slaves in any state that did not end its rebellion against the Union by January 1, 1863. None of the Confederate states restored themselves to the Union, and Lincoln’s order, signed and issued January 1, 1863, took effect. The Emancipation Proclamation outraged white Southerners (and their sympathizers) who envisioned a race war, angered some Northern Democrats, energized anti-slavery forces, and undermined forces in Europe that wanted to intervene to help the Confederacy. The Proclamation lifted the spirits of African Americans both free and slave. It led many slaves to escape from their masters and get to Union lines to obtain their freedom.
The Emancipation Proclamation broadened the goals of the Civil War. While slavery had been a major issue that led to the war, Lincoln’s only mission at the start of the war was to maintain the Union. The Proclamation made freeing the slaves an explicit goal of the Union war effort. Establishing the abolition of slavery as one of the two primary war goals served to deter intervention by Britain and France. The Emancipation Proclamation was never challenged in court. To ensure the abolition of slavery in all of the U.S., Lincoln pushed for passage of the Thirteenth Amendment. Congress passed it by the necessary two-thirds vote on January 31, 1865, and it was ratified by the states on December 6, 1865.
In knowing this American history, here you have a comment by State Rep. Charlie Stallworth in the CT Post, reporting on the Mayoral campaign October 18, quoted: “On November 3, we want every city in the state of Connecticut to know that the city of Bridgeport received its Emancipation Proclamation and Joe Ganim will be our mayor.” Now how in the world can this State Rep., this pastor make a statement like he did? Stallworth shows he has no feeling and understanding of American history that involved blacks as slaves, what a disgrace to compare the two.
As for George Mintz and the Greater Bridgeport NAACP Branch, you and the organization have been (MIA) missing in action in fighting for the rights of blacks here in Bridgeport. I never renewed my membership after they lost their standing with the national NAACP.
Excellent points, Ron. Thank you.
Thanks, Ron.
*** The Bpt chapter seems to say and do what they want only when it’s convenient to them (the board) and not the national NAACP agendas. They are a selfish unorganized power-trip bunch who do not really meet nor project the needs of the people they’re supposed to represent! Even their board elections are bogus to say the least. ***
Friends on OIB,
Cities, institutions and organizations have seasons where they grow and others where death occurs. But from ashes sometimes come rebirths where people join together in common cause and pursue long-term goals with focused and planned activity in mind.
If George Mintz and others began a journey earlier this year that would change the historic record, is it easier to get over it and join in the work to be done? Or is there an easier way to sit around and talk about history rather than making it?
Personally I was very surprised to be invited to join as a member and participate in communications activities. There is sufficient lack of justice in this City for me not to need convincing that injustice must be faced and I accepted to be part of the change I believe in. I am not a person of color but I can join hands with others of multiple colors to deal with the problems and issues and work to offer an alternative to the divisiveness I see here that fails to sustain much change. I can live with the leaders I see in place. They appear respectful of the efforts of others to advance necessary change. That is a positive value in times like this. Who can lend a hand or shoulder to get the wagon moving again? All colors are welcome they tell me, and that is what I see. And if there are folks out there who are looking for their needs to be met as Mojo reports, then such an organization needs some additional folks, brand new to the task, or those who have drifted away to return, to help meet those needs, pay some dues, work on a project, or am I missing something? This letter was righteous and the issue is too important to remain silent. Time will tell.
Excellent points, John Lee. Thank you.