Analysis: BOE Elections,Track Record vs. Race

The complicated and multi-faceted issue of race has been surfaced in the BOE elections by a group of predominately African American activists who say that incumbents Shirley Mosby (D) and Rosa Murray (D) need to be re-elected because they are Black and best represent the needs of minorities.

I’ve been aware for quite a while that if Ms. Mosby and Ms. Murray are not re-elected on Tuesday that there will be no African Americans on the BOE . Greg Burnett, a Democrat, was not renominated by his party.

In general, I think it is important for Norwalk’s leadership to reflect the diversity of its population. We become a better place to live when people bring their unique life experiences to the table and use these perspectives to make decisions that benefit us all. Race is a powerful factor in shaping people’s lives, but should it be used as the determining factor to choose one candidate over another?

Saturday’s Hour headlined a story "Leaders call for More Minority Representation on BOE", in which the  Norwalk Chapter of the NAACP,  Rep, Bruce Morris (D-140), a group of African American ministers, and the Democratic candidates for Mayor and Town Clerk essentially advocated voting for Ms. Mosby and Ms. Murray because they are African American.

“…local leaders say they want to make sure all students continue to be represented,” wrote the Hour’s Lauren Mylo in the first paragraph of the story about the press conference.  According to the piece Rev. Lindsay Curtis said it’s important for minorities to have a voice"because no one can better speak up for them than themselves".

As I think about the press conference it seems to me that there were other factors at play. Even as we imagine ourselves to be living in a post-racial America, ethnic politics still holds sway. In this case the Black community has two seats on the BOE which they are in danger of losing. A call for "minority representation" on the eve of the election strikes me as really a call to their base to turn out on election day. Minority representation is an important topic, but perhaps it should have been brought up earlier in the election or even before candidates were nominated.  Now it seems like a last ditch political tactic of a group that is afraid of losing power. 

I can understand that an all white board might not be as aware or engaged in the educational issues that particularly affect African Americans or Hispanics. In fact, I've been struck by the lack of discussion about the growing Hispanic population in Norwalk during the debates.  Is this because there is not a Hispanic candidate running?

Racial and ethnic sensitivity is an important consideration, especially in a city like Norwalk, but it is one of many factors.  In the voting booth a voter's primary consideration should be who will help to improve student achievement for all children. 

Perhaps more important than actually electing someone of a certain race or background is making sure that the candidate pool is comprised of diverse individuals. Having people of various backgrounds running demonstrates that the process is open to everyone and not the domain of any one particular ethnic group. Here the Democrats are doing a better job than the Republicans who have fielded an all white slate.

However, once minority candidates, like Ms. Mosby and Ms. Murray, are elected they should seek reelection on the basis of their track record.  Ms. Murray in particular has served four terms on the BOE and is currently its chairwoman. Her supporters should be touting her accomplishments not the color of her skin.

Come Tuesday, we should go to vote for the best qualified candidates on the BOE to represent us -- all of us. If Ms. Mosby and Ms. Murray are not successful in their relection bids, their rejection by voters should be taken as a call for change, and nothing more.