Reed: Senator Chappelle-Nadal Must Go!
Yesterday the President of the Board of Aldermen, Lewis Reed, sent out the following email blast:
State Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal said the other day that St. Louis elected officials who support local control of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department are “house slaves.†In her interview with Bernie Hayes on WGNU (920-AM), the senator said “What these plantation owners like Rex Sinquefield are doing is using some of their house slaves that are elected in St. Louis†and also said “It’s nothing different than what slave politics was.â€
These comments are deplorable and drag us back an era that this country has worked hard to move past. People have laid down their lives to fight to be treated as equal human beings. Any public official who makes these types of comments is quite frankly not fit to lead.
This is not just an insult to me, but this is an insult to me as a father or four, as an African American male and to all African Americans across this nation. Statements by the Senator reflect the bigoted mindset that all African Americans, including the NAACP, 100 Black Men, Urban League, Clergy Coalition as well as many others, must have been ‘bought’ by, in the Senator words a “plantation owner,†when advocating a position. This type of racism cannot be tolerated in the St. Louis community or anywhere in our country.
I am formally asking the Senator to step down and will actively be seeking out individuals in her Senatorial District to help out this effort. Racism cannot be tolerated and the people of University City deserve better. Don Imus didn’t get a pass and neither should Maria Chappelle-Nadal.
I ask you to join the effort in calling out Senator Chappelle-Nadal by joining the facebook group http://www.facebook.com/pages/Maria-Must-Go/215733518441994 and contacting her office in Jefferson City at (573) 751-4106.
Lewis E. Reed
State Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal has been a primary opponent of Missouri returning control of the St. Louis Police to the City of St. Louis.
– Steve Patterson
Can anyone explain why the senator from U City is the main advocate for the St. Louis Police Officers Association? Steve, have you taken a position on local control? I have, and I support it. If we are to be a city of choice, our citizens need to be fully enfranchised citizens. Too often is St. Louis someone else’s hobby or special project. We need to be in control of our own business. Local control is a matter of trust on many levels. St. Louisans deserve the same status as residents of University City.
Can anyone explain why the senator from U City is the main advocate for the St. Louis Police Officers Association? Steve, have you taken a position on local control? I have, and I support it. If we are to be a city of choice, our citizens need to be fully enfranchised citizens. Too often is St. Louis someone else’s hobby or special project. We need to be in control of our own business. Local control is a matter of trust on many levels. St. Louisans deserve the same status as residents of University City.
I support local control but I also agree with many points raised by those who oppose local control, such as criticism for how St. Louis is managed.
“Can anyone explain why the senator from U City is the main advocate for the St. Louis Police Officers Association?” Because so many officers live outside the city?
Can you cite examples of how St. Louis is poorly managed? Lots of people make that general claim, but what are the real specifics? And how do these issues effect the police department? What’s the difference between St. Louis and other big cities?
And to JZ, just because police officers live outside the city, what does that have to do with local control? Many U City cops probably live outside of U City, but no one is clamoring for state control of the U City police department. Maybe the Senator ought to add that to her priorities. I wonder how the voters of U City would feel about that.
It gets so tiresome seeing St. Louis treated with double standards.
Our structure is cumbersome: 28 aldermen, E&A, elected county offices that are too independent, etc
What does that have to do with operating a police department? The “cumbersome” system we have was created by conservative Germans to provide more structured government. They were tired of the old European system of centralized power. State control of the police is a reversion to more centralized power removed from the people being governed.
I fear and Aldermanic police force- under local control officers would be at the will of the Alderman which could be a big big mistake. While I prefer localized control for just about everything it won’t matter w/ local control if you are on the right side of the law, but if you are on the right or wrong side of the Alderman which could be politics such as not supporting the right candidate/issue or not donating enough $$. So one could get dinged on all sorts of violations(or not charged) by an officer trying to get a promotion instead of an officer trying to enforce the law and maintain order.
How would this be different than any other city with a Board of Aldermen?
Agree with Rick, Steve you are making nothing but generalizations that a politician would make outside of city who would never dare ask the state to take control of hir or her local police department because he or she would never be elected again.
I don’t keep a running tally of all the bad experiences I’ve had at city hall over the last 20+ years. Apply for a renew a business license sometime or try to get a sign for your business. So many little things that in other cities would be approved by staff must get run past the alderman. Hey, I support local control of our police, I just don’t dismiss what the police union is saying because they disagree.
The big sticking point over local control appears to be a palpable fear that the city will squander and/or divert the current police pension fund to other uses. It appears that the police union hasn’t found any vocal supporters among the city’s representatives, while they do appear to have found a vocal supporter in Chappelle-Nadal. I’m guessing that more than a few city police officers live in her district, while, obviously, no city residents do. At its core, she IS representing some of her constituents; she has no real duty to represent the city’s interests.
There are two issues here, what she is saying and how she is saying it. While I don’t agree with what she’s saying, I believe that she has every right to say it. How she is saying it (“house slaves”) is a whole ‘nuther matter – I’d expect a certain level of decorum and civility from our representatives, and this racial bomb throwing does nothing to get to a satisfactory resolution . . .
I agree with Nadal’s 1st Amendment Right as citizen to say whatever she wants, however loathsome, but we expect more from our leaders, including that they not be bigots.
I support local control but I also agree with many points raised by those who oppose local control, such as criticism for how St. Louis is managed.
“Can anyone explain why the senator from U City is the main advocate for the St. Louis Police Officers Association?” Because so many officers live outside the city?
It is odd that her only news release published as a senator talks about the need for more civil discourse.
http://www.senate.mo.gov/media/11info/chappelle-nadal/releases/011111.htm
It is odd that her only news release published as a senator talks about the need for more civil discourse.
http://www.senate.mo.gov/media/11info/chappelle-nadal/releases/011111.htm
Can you cite examples of how St. Louis is poorly managed? Lots of people make that general claim, but what are the real specifics? And how do these issues effect the police department? What’s the difference between St. Louis and other big cities?
And to JZ, just because police officers live outside the city, what does that have to do with local control? Many U City cops probably live outside of U City, but no one is clamoring for state control of the U City police department. Maybe the Senator ought to add that to her priorities. I wonder how the voters of U City would feel about that.
It gets so tiresome seeing St. Louis treated with double standards.
Our structure is cumbersome: 28 aldermen, E&A, elected county offices that are too independent, etc
What does that have to do with operating a police department? The “cumbersome” system we have was created by conservative Germans to provide more structured government. They were tired of the old European system of centralized power. State control of the police is a reversion to more centralized power removed from the people being governed.
I think Cornel West and the late Manning Marable would agree with Senator Chappelle-Nadal when observing other decisions taken by some African American leaders in our City. The degree to which some African American politicians vote against their interests for destructive capitalist policies — to be in the winning camp with the dominant white power structure which actually created economic havoc in their communities — is quite ironic. Lewis Reed, in supporting plans like Northside Degradation, certainly reveals his alliances. That being said I do not think her accusations apply to local control of the Police Department. Given racial disparities in public service delivery, local control would empower African American aldermen on the North Side who deserve representation in policing decision-making.
I think Cornel West and the late Manning Marable would agree with Senator Chappelle-Nadal when observing other decisions taken by some African American leaders in our City. The degree to which some African American politicians vote against their interests for destructive capitalist policies — to be in the winning camp with the dominant white power structure which actually created economic havoc in their communities — is quite ironic. Lewis Reed, in supporting plans like Northside Degradation, certainly reveals his alliances. That being said I do not think her accusations apply to local control of the Police Department. Given racial disparities in public service delivery, local control would empower African American aldermen on the North Side who deserve representation in policing decision-making.
Doug, the issue of local control has nothing to do with Paul McKee and Northside “Degradation” in the Pruitt Igoe area was well underway long before Blairmont ever made the scene. St.Louis can be very nuanced, but in these cases, the issues are right out there in the open.
Does anyone else find it the least bit ironic in Senator Chappelle Nadal claim there’s a plantation mentality in the city of St. Louis when she is the one pushing to keep St. Louis citizens from controlling their own police force?
Returning local control to the city of St. Louis is a matter of social justice, pure and simple. The citizens of St. Louis deserve the same treatment as citizens everywhere else. Denying them that standing is denying them their basic rights.
Of course it does. Go read the “The Crisis of Black Leadership” or “Black Brahmins: The Underdevelopment of Black Leadership” chapters of “Race Matters” and “How Capitalism Underdeveloped Black America.” Chappelle-Nadal is entirely right insofar as some African American black leaders sold out their constituents for their own material gain for the same agendas that created inner city poverty. Someone like Harold Washington wouldn’t have voted for Paul McKee’s plan and he for sure wouldn’t be for Rex (our own version of the Koch brothers). I agree local control is about social justice which is why I don’t understand why she said that about those who wish to gain community representation in policing.
In my opinion, the best way to kill a man is to give him something for doing nothing. Yes, the welfare class created by the Federal Gov’t has given many the basics in life. But, IMO it has also guaranteed generational dependence on the state to provide. There is no questioning what color the majority group in this country continues to be, look at the 2010 census. There is no doubt this reality causes minority groups to see this reality and attempt to fit into it. That’s not evil, it’s the continued reality and story of any minority group living within any majority group since the beginning of man. The REAL story in America today is that there are systemic and institutional protections to help ameliorate discrimination and barriers race creates. Yes, gov’t is necessary. Gov’t paying the all the bills for perfectly healthy citizens is not.
Doug, you’re making huge leaps with some of your charges. Do you know these people well enough to be claiming to know their motives? Once more, the degradation of the Pruitt Igoe area over a 40 year time span has nothing to do with the local control issue, but trying to combine them does serve well conversations about unsubstantiated conspiracy theories.
Same can be said for problems getting a permit at city hall. What does that have to do with local control of the police department? As they say, you dance with the partner that brung ya. In St. Louis we have the system of government that we have based on over 200 years of history. And the state seizing control of the police department was is response to the Civil War.
Our form of government is our own, as should our right to control our own police department.
I never mentioned Pruitt-Igoe. I said I was for local control.
You brought up Paul McKee, and Pruitt Igoe is the in the middle of McKee’s Northside Regeneration area. You also started drawing conclusions about African Americans supporting the Northside plan. None of this has anything to do with local control. However, given the history of Pruitt Igoe and many of the neighboring blocks, it’s not hard to understand why many elected officials – both black and white – would want to see the Northside plan succeed.
I never said it was related to local control, but her comments are applicable to North Side Regeneration.
Would City leaders support McKee’s plan if he hadn’t paid them off while their neighborhoods were in forced decline?
Lots of people support Northside Regeneration. “Forced decline”? By the time McKee started acquisitions, the area was already hugely declined. “Paid off”? If you’re referring to campaign contributions and the politicians who receive them, this is news?
Do you remember the brick rustling, fires, or has the new promises of greenways and jobs made that a distant memory?
Doug, the distant memory seems to be the condition of the area before Blairmont bought its first property. It was depleted then. Strange how a thread about local control gets sidetracked to a discussion of brick theft. Maybe with local control brick theft would be better addressed? Local control is about one thing: the right to self governance. People who oppose local control don’t believe St. Louis is capable of governing itself.
I agree, Rick. There is this revisionist history out there that St. Louis Place and JeffVanderLou were thriving communities or something ten years ago. Were they more vibrant than they are now? Yes, but not by that much.
Yes, it was a paradise before McKee. I am going to write a book about it to showcase my revisionism.
He made the situation worse not better and he has built nothing. These are not up for dispute.
What on earth are the other options for this part of the City? West county millionaires aren’t going to come in an build everyone a house and pay the bills while citizens wait for the jobs to come back.
“He made the situation worse not better and he has built nothing. These are not up for dispute.”
I wholeheartedly agree with this statement.
Just remember, Freeman Bosley Sr. said the same thing about Clarence Harmon while Clarence was running against Bosley Jr. in the mayoral race. There were really no repercussions as I can recall. It was a minor issue that quickly went away.
Just remember, Freeman Bosley Sr. said the same thing about Clarence Harmon while Clarence was running against Bosley Jr. in the mayoral race. There were really no repercussions as I can recall. It was a minor issue that quickly went away.
Very good point!
I have no problem with our standards of decency becoming more strict as we progress as a society.
True, but it’s interesting that Bosley Sr. can get a pass yet others cannot.
That was what? Over ten years ago; reread my original comment. It wasn’t right then, but it is right that now people can’t get away with it.
I don’t know that he exactly got a pass. Bosley Jr. was mayor when his father made that comment. Plenty of people were angered by the remark, including the mayor, who did not win reelection shortly after…sins of the father…
I don’t know how much impact that statement had on the white constituents though. The turnout in white majority locations was incredibly high and Harmon received 94% of the white vote. Bosley received close to the same amount of the black vote that he did four years before.
Bosley’s corruption and racial politics were more to blame for the loss than was his father’s stupid remark.
Doug, the issue of local control has nothing to do with Paul McKee and Northside “Degradation” in the Pruitt Igoe area was well underway long before Blairmont ever made the scene. St.Louis can be very nuanced, but in these cases, the issues are right out there in the open.
Does anyone else find it the least bit ironic in Senator Chappelle Nadal claim there’s a plantation mentality in the city of St. Louis when she is the one pushing to keep St. Louis citizens from controlling their own police force?
Returning local control to the city of St. Louis is a matter of social justice, pure and simple. The citizens of St. Louis deserve the same treatment as citizens everywhere else. Denying them that standing is denying them their basic rights.
Very good point!
The big sticking point over local control appears to be a palpable fear that the city will squander and/or divert the current police pension fund to other uses. It appears that the police union hasn’t found any vocal supporters among the city’s representatives, while they do appear to have found a vocal supporter in Chappelle-Nadal. I’m guessing that more than a few city police officers live in her district, while, obviously, no city residents do. At its core, she IS representing some of her constituents; she has no real duty to represent the city’s interests.
There are two issues here, what she is saying and how she is saying it. While I don’t agree with what she’s saying, I believe that she has every right to say it. How she is saying it (“house slaves”) is a whole ‘nuther matter – I’d expect a certain level of decorum and civility from our representatives, and this racial bomb throwing does nothing to get to a satisfactory resolution . . .
Of course it does. Go read the “The Crisis of Black Leadership” or “Black Brahmins: The Underdevelopment of Black Leadership” chapters of “Race Matters” and “How Capitalism Underdeveloped Black America.” Chappelle-Nadal is entirely right insofar as some African American black leaders sold out their constituents for their own material gain for the same agendas that created inner city poverty. Someone like Harold Washington wouldn’t have voted for Paul McKee’s plan and he for sure wouldn’t be for Rex (our own version of the Koch brothers). I agree local control is about social justice which is why I don’t understand why she said that about those who wish to gain community representation in policing.
Who says things like that?! This senator’s statements have to be some of the most out of touch, ignorant, racist rants I’ve heard in a while. I’m think this woman hasn’t given the actual reality of “slave” politics and the actual experience of African Americans during slavery an ounce of real thought or introspection.
If for one minute we believe the experience of house slaves was ANYTHING akin to the lifestyle, freedoms and opportunities of today’s successful black politicians and professionals, we have truly lost their story from so many generations ago.
This woman is free to voice her frustrations and opinions, yes. She is also free to live with reactions and the opinions others now hold of her. I hope this senator finds a future of closed doors, ignoring shoulders and no where to go but out of politics and on to the next chapter in her life.
Who says things like that?! This senator’s statements have to be some of the most out of touch, ignorant, racist rants I’ve heard in a while. I’m think this woman hasn’t given the actual reality of “slave” politics and the actual experience of African Americans during slavery an ounce of real thought or introspection.
If for one minute we believe the experience of house slaves was ANYTHING akin to the lifestyle, freedoms and opportunities of today’s successful black politicians and professionals, we have truly lost their story from so many generations ago.
This woman is free to voice her frustrations and opinions, yes. She is also free to live with reactions and the opinions others now hold of her. I hope this senator finds a future of closed doors, ignoring shoulders and no where to go but out of politics and on to the next chapter in her life.
In my opinion, the best way to kill a man is to give him something for doing nothing. Yes, the welfare class created by the Federal Gov’t has given many the basics in life. But, IMO it has also guaranteed generational dependence on the state to provide. There is no questioning what color the majority group in this country continues to be, look at the 2010 census. There is no doubt this reality causes minority groups to see this reality and attempt to fit into it. That’s not evil, it’s the continued reality and story of any minority group living within any majority group since the beginning of man. The REAL story in America today is that there are systemic and institutional protections to help ameliorate discrimination and barriers race creates. Yes, gov’t is necessary. Gov’t paying the all the bills for perfectly healthy citizens is not.
Agree with Rick, Steve you are making nothing but generalizations that a politician would make outside of city who would never dare ask the state to take control of hir or her local police department because he or she would never be elected again.
I don’t keep a running tally of all the bad experiences I’ve had at city hall over the last 20+ years. Apply for a renew a business license sometime or try to get a sign for your business. So many little things that in other cities would be approved by staff must get run past the alderman. Hey, I support local control of our police, I just don’t dismiss what the police union is saying because they disagree.
Doug, you’re making huge leaps with some of your charges. Do you know these people well enough to be claiming to know their motives? Once more, the degradation of the Pruitt Igoe area over a 40 year time span has nothing to do with the local control issue, but trying to combine them does serve well conversations about unsubstantiated conspiracy theories.
Same can be said for problems getting a permit at city hall. What does that have to do with local control of the police department? As they say, you dance with the partner that brung ya. In St. Louis we have the system of government that we have based on over 200 years of history. And the state seizing control of the police department was is response to the Civil War.
Our form of government is our own, as should our right to control our own police department.
Bigger picture is how this discussion illustrates the racism that is so prevelent in the St. Louis region. The last house slaves were freed 150 years ago! Local control has little to do with race and a lot to do with pensions, yet too many politicians see the need to make every issue into a racial one.
Bigger picture is how this discussion illustrates the racism that is so prevelent in the St. Louis region. The last house slaves were freed 150 years ago! Local control has little to do with race and a lot to do with pensions, yet too many politicians see the need to make every issue into a racial one.
And this is one reason why the effort for local control is such a smart government reform opportunity – because it is so non-racial. Returning control of the SLMPD to a majority black city increases the authority of African Americans in government. You would think Senator Chappelle-Nadal would see this. The racially charged position in this debate is to deny control of the police department from St. Louis voters.
On the other hand, many of the ideas floated out there for reforming city government do raise serious concerns from the black community. If you cut the number of aldermen or eliminate county offices, there’s a good chance there would be fewer blacks holding elective office in St. Louis.
Returning control of the SLMPD doesn’t bring any risk of lessening the role of black people in St. Louis government.
Actually, St. Louis has no racial majority now, according to the new census stats. This is a first in the city’s history.
The overall black population dropped from 51.2% in 2000 to something like 46% now.
What is the percentage of White, Hispanic and Asian residents?
That’s probably in the census.
The Census website only lists 2009 estimates; where do I find 2010 results?
Sorry Chris, I guess we will have to wait awhile. 2010 census numbers are starting to come out. The city has published population changes by ward since 2000.
And this is one reason why the effort for local control is such a smart government reform opportunity – because it is so non-racial. Returning control of the SLMPD to a majority black city increases the authority of African Americans in government. You would think Senator Chappelle-Nadal would see this. The racially charged position in this debate is to deny control of the police department from St. Louis voters.
On the other hand, many of the ideas floated out there for reforming city government do raise serious concerns from the black community. If you cut the number of aldermen or eliminate county offices, there’s a good chance there would be fewer blacks holding elective office in St. Louis.
Returning control of the SLMPD doesn’t bring any risk of lessening the role of black people in St. Louis government.
I never mentioned Pruitt-Igoe. I said I was for local control.
You brought up Paul McKee, and Pruitt Igoe is the in the middle of McKee’s Northside Regeneration area. You also started drawing conclusions about African Americans supporting the Northside plan. None of this has anything to do with local control. However, given the history of Pruitt Igoe and many of the neighboring blocks, it’s not hard to understand why many elected officials – both black and white – would want to see the Northside plan succeed.
I agree with Nadal’s 1st Amendment Right as citizen to say whatever she wants, however loathsome, but we expect more from our leaders, including that they not be bigots.
I have no problem with our standards of decency becoming more strict as we progress as a society.
Actually, St. Louis has no racial majority now, according to the new census stats. This is a first in the city’s history.
The overall black population dropped from 51.2% in 2000 to something like 46% now.
This is the story that just keeps on giving. If it keeps going this way, this might hit the national news like the pee-filled trashcan from a few years back.
http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/political-fix/article_fb69b3de-646c-11e0-b646-0019bb30f31a.html
This is the story that just keeps on giving. If it keeps going this way, this might hit the national news like the pee-filled trashcan from a few years back.
http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/political-fix/article_fb69b3de-646c-11e0-b646-0019bb30f31a.html
I wonder if the SLPOA is happy with their voice in the state legislature? Trying to turn this into a racial issue shows how little substance the anti-local control supporters really have. We’re approaching the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. Maybe soon St. Louis will be released from the shackles of those days? Who would not want that? I wonder how many people in UCity oppose returning local control of the police department to St. Louis? Supposedly even 2/3 of Missourians are ready for the change. It’s about time.
What is the percentage of White, Hispanic and Asian residents?
That’s probably in the census.
I wonder if the SLPOA is happy with their voice in the state legislature? Trying to turn this into a racial issue shows how little substance the anti-local control supporters really have. We’re approaching the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. Maybe soon St. Louis will be released from the shackles of those days? Who would not want that? I wonder how many people in UCity oppose returning local control of the police department to St. Louis? Supposedly even 2/3 of Missourians are ready for the change. It’s about time.
I never said it was related to local control, but her comments are applicable to North Side Regeneration.
Would City leaders support McKee’s plan if he hadn’t paid them off while their neighborhoods were in forced decline?
True, but it’s interesting that Bosley Sr. can get a pass yet others cannot.
Lots of people support Northside Regeneration. “Forced decline”? By the time McKee started acquisitions, the area was already hugely declined. “Paid off”? If you’re referring to campaign contributions and the politicians who receive them, this is news?
I fear and Aldermanic police force- under local control officers would be at the will of the Alderman which could be a big big mistake. While I prefer localized control for just about everything it won’t matter w/ local control if you are on the right side of the law, but if you are on the right or wrong side of the Alderman which could be politics such as not supporting the right candidate/issue or not donating enough $$. So one could get dinged on all sorts of violations(or not charged) by an officer trying to get a promotion instead of an officer trying to enforce the law and maintain order.
How would this be different than any other city with a Board of Aldermen?
Do you remember the brick rustling, fires, or has the new promises of greenways and jobs made that a distant memory?
Doug, the distant memory seems to be the condition of the area before Blairmont bought its first property. It was depleted then. Strange how a thread about local control gets sidetracked to a discussion of brick theft. Maybe with local control brick theft would be better addressed? Local control is about one thing: the right to self governance. People who oppose local control don’t believe St. Louis is capable of governing itself.
That was what? Over ten years ago; reread my original comment. It wasn’t right then, but it is right that now people can’t get away with it.
I agree, Rick. There is this revisionist history out there that St. Louis Place and JeffVanderLou were thriving communities or something ten years ago. Were they more vibrant than they are now? Yes, but not by that much.
The Census website only lists 2009 estimates; where do I find 2010 results?
I don’t know that he exactly got a pass. Bosley Jr. was mayor when his father made that comment. Plenty of people were angered by the remark, including the mayor, who did not win reelection shortly after…sins of the father…
Sorry Chris, I guess we will have to wait awhile. 2010 census numbers are starting to come out. The city has published population changes by ward since 2000.
I don’t know how much impact that statement had on the white constituents though. The turnout in white majority locations was incredibly high and Harmon received 94% of the white vote. Bosley received close to the same amount of the black vote that he did four years before.
Bosley’s corruption and racial politics were more to blame for the loss than was his father’s stupid remark.
Yes, it was a paradise before McKee. I am going to write a book about it to showcase my revisionism.
He made the situation worse not better and he has built nothing. These are not up for dispute.
What on earth are the other options for this part of the City? West county millionaires aren’t going to come in an build everyone a house and pay the bills while citizens wait for the jobs to come back.
“He made the situation worse not better and he has built nothing. These are not up for dispute.”
I wholeheartedly agree with this statement.