Sure, Tampa has taken its lumps over the last decade or so when its downtown — and use of the waterfront — were compared to St. Petersburg’s. Tampa was trying to make up for lost time and squandered opportunity, while St. Pete, once mired in a Bay Plaza identity crisis, was sailing along on a honeymoon of residential, arts and nightlife revitalization.
The recession has taken its toll both places, of course, but Tampa’s Riverwalk is happening, while the BayWalk fiasco is a reminder that St. Pete is one prominent fallen domino away from a downtown relapse. Moreover, its civic and political fabric remains hostage to racial whim and counterproductive agendas.
I don’t have a vote in the upcoming St. Petersburg mayoral run-off election, but if I did, it would matter much more to me that Bill Foster was a real creationist than Kathleen Ford was a faux racist.
How outrageous, for example, that Ford’s “HNIC” reference has prompted outrage over her “racial slur.” And some actually thought we might be morphing into a post-racial America?
To recap, Ford was being interviewed by radio talk show host Bubba the Love Sponge Clem. The shock-jock lobbed some criticism at St. Pete’s black Deputy Mayor, Goliath Davis. Clem called him a “quasi leader” of African-Americans. Ford then referenced noted African-American author and professor, Cornel West, who has referred to a self-appointed voice of the black community as a “HNIC” – or “Head Negro In Charge.” It buttressed the point that Ford is no fan of one spokesman for groupthink.
Cue the usual suspects, black and white, racial rants always at the ready. Ford was denounced for, among other indignities, using racial affronts to “downgrade” African-Americans.
As if Ford were responsible for all the liberties, most prominently by rappers, that have been taken with the “N” of “HNIC.” As if Ford were responsible for all the over-reactive misinterpretations made by those with trip-wire, racial agendas.
As if Ford were wrong.
The message to St. Pete officials and all those progressives who have worked so hard to create that enviable downtown should be: Wake up.
The message to eclectic “activists” and racial hucksters, including Uhurus, should be: Grow up.
The message to Tampa leaders should be: Follow up. St. Pete, geographically blessed and culturally gifted, is now Exhibit A on how not to do it – from economic catalyst (BayWalk) subplots to race-baiting politics.
As for Tampa’s Mayor’s race? Ferlita vs. the field never looked so high-minded.