Politics

Duggan 'Surrounds Himself with Fawning Happy Blacks,' Says Tom Barrow

April 24, 2017, 8:00 AM by  Allan Lengel

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Tom Barrow (Linkedin photo)

State Sen. Coleman A. Young II has injected race into the campaign for Detroit mayor, saying a white mayor like Mike Duggan can't effectively govern a black city.

Now comes Tom Barrow, who has run for mayor . In an open letter to Detroiters, he writes:

A few weeks ago, I commissioned a poll of 600 Primary voters to see if Detroiters would be willing to excise what is a  "Tarzan" - like Mayor who uses opportunistic blacks and select Black church leaders to beguile trusting Detroiters.

From the poll, I learned first that 53% of the city's Black voters believe it is unimportant that the city has a Black leader despite being nearly 80% Black.

This finding shows the success of the media in subliminally convincing many in the Black community that anything Black, is inferior, corrupt and incapable.  Thus, some Blacks now feel compelled to show themselves as "fair" and "color-blind" and claim that race does not matter, an obvious and dangerous fallacy with dire consequences as conservatives marginalize and take everything those very Blacks control.

Barrow, who says he won't run for mayor because he doesn't want to split up the black vote and make it easy for Duggan to win re-election, goes on to say denigrating things about Duggan's black supporters. Some of the prominent blacks who have endorsed his re-election bid include a group of members of the late Mayor Coleman A. Young's administration and Wayne County Sheriff Benny Napoleon, who ran against Duggan in the last mayoral election.

"You and I also know that, like Donald Trump, Detroit Caucasian voters will solidly and overwhelmingly vote for Duggan overlooking any of his flaws.  This is why he only surrounds himself with fawning happy Blacks.  Having said that, I care only for what is best for everyone in my city."

Mayor Duggan did not immediately respond for comment. 

Barrow's letter -- 'An obvious and dangerous fallacy'

Detroiters know how much I love our city and want what is right for it.  They know how protective I am of our city being  a member of  "Brown Bomber" Joe Louis 'Barrow' family.  

As some may not know,  I was born in black-bottom's old Negro Kirwood Hospital; I went to college here, raised my family here, and started my successful businesses here.  I still live on the city's east side just blocks from my childhood home.  

Like many reading this missive, I too have fond memories of Belle Isle ,  Cobo Hall, Eastern Market, the Detroit-Windsor tunnel, a vibrant Detroit School District and clean fresh tasting and safe water once heralded as the "Gold Standard"....all former city assets wrongfully taken by extremists using by trickery and falsehoods.

Over the years, I was the first to sound the alarm about election fraud, now validated by a presidential campaign; I was the first to tell of the phony bankruptcy when as a certified public accountant, it was clear from the audited financial statements that we were not broke and it turns out we were not, but our great city was looted nonetheless; I sponsored a citizen' Voter's Initiative to protect the ballots and offer security obtaining over 5,000 voter signatures only to watch JANICE WINFREY, and council members ANDRE SPIVEY, GEORGE CUSHINGBERRY AND JANEE' AYERS thwart the people's will and leaving the ballot box unprotected,  politicians whom we intend to hold accountable in this August election cycle.

Like many , I watched evil forces divide our city in two and take it back to the brink of a 1950's Jim Crow atmosphere...even as some who were not born do not fully appreciate what is occurring right before their eyes and on their watch.

A few weeks ago, I commissioned a poll of 600 Primary voters to see if Detroiters would be willing to excise what is a  "Tarzan" - like Mayor who uses opportunistic blacks and select Black church leaders to beguile trusting Detroiters.

From the poll, I learned first that 53% of the city's Black voters believe it is unimportant that the city has a Black leader despite being nearly 80% Black. 

This finding shows the success of the media in subliminally convincing many in the Black community that anything Black, is inferior, corrupt and incapable.  Thus, some Blacks now feel compelled to show themselves as "fair" and "color-blind" and claim that race does not matter, an obvious and dangerous fallacy with dire consequences as conservatives marginalize and take everything those very Blacks control.

The poll also told me that,  even though I have made no announcement and would certainly benefit significant;y from doing so, in a three-way primary race for Mayor, Michael Duggan would receive only 38% of the vote while I would receive 19% and Coleman Young, Jr. some 22% with others and undecideds receiving  21% .

Of course we all understand that it is not Coleman Young Jr. himself the poll is measuring, few know him,  but it is the favorability of his dad's legendary name.  Moreover,  I understand that my actual announcement would make a significant difference as would my well known well-organized ground grass roots operation which I know Duggan fears.

Nonetheless, this information tells me that two prominent Black names would split the Black vote, prevent others from entering the race and give Duggan a primary win and massive momentum.  You and I also know that, like Donald Trump, Detroit Caucasian voters will solidly and overwhelmingly vote for Duggan overlooking any of his flaws.  This is why he only surrounds himself with fawning happy Blacks.   Having said that, I care only for what is best for everyone in my city.

I want what the majority of good Detroiters want, a candidate with a fair clear vision for our whole city; one devoid of corrupt instincts and back-room dealing; a candidate who can actually run a city with our financial challenges, the least of which is the overreach of the State's Financial Control Board; and a candidate dedicated to restoring control over our stolen assets.

Unfortunately, Super PAC money of the wealthy will fuel from Duggan's misinformation campaign and promote his fake so-called accomplishments solely to Black minds.  Millions and millions will be spent to get him a second term to continue the privatization of our city, its schools, and its jobs. This can be an insurmountable obstacle to true democracy, but it is most certainly a reality of campaigns today.

After much soul-searching with my family, friends and colleagues, for the good of my city it is with a great deal of reluctance that I have decided to stand down.    I will not be a candidate for Mayor.  I encourage qualified Detroiters of all hues to fill this void.

As to my considerable organization, they like me, are champing at the bit to take the city back so we will be active, hold WINFREY, CUSHINGBERRY, SPIVEY AND AYERS accountable and support some candidate. My conscious will be my guide.

We must and will seek in any candidate,  strength, intelligence, steady judgement, independence, fortitude and a demonstrated commitment to one city,  the city we all love! 

With love and warmest personal regards,
Tom Barrow
 

 



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