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Detroit in 2017 is obviously far different, in many ways, than Detroit in 1973. Yet one issue remains as touchy now as it was then.
It's "the race question," as Detroit News columnist Bankole Thompson calls it Monday.
He looks at an important group's re-election support for Mayor Mike Duggan, who's backed for a second term by the Black Slate -- "a longstanding political organization in Detroit that has advocated for African-American political empowerment," Thompson writes. He adds:
During the heyday of the civil rights movement, the group commanded incredible influence under its leader, the late Bishop Albert B. Cleage, who created the Black Slate as the political arm of his church, the Shrine of the Black Madonna. The church’s mission ever since has been espousing black Christian liberation theology mixed with nationalism. . . .
The Black Slate was key in the groundbreaking election of Coleman A. Young as the city’s first black mayor.
Young narrowly beat former Police Commissioner John Nichols in November 1973 and served a record five terms. In November 2013, Duggan beat Wayne County Sheriff Benny Napoleon, who is black, to become the city's first white mayor since Roman Gibbs (1970-74), Young's predecessor.
Forty-four years after Young's pioneering election, the Black Slate now snubs his son, state Sen. Coleman Young II, who is Duggan's leading challenger.
"The endorsement stings," Thompson explains. It's "a counterweight to Young II’s argument that African-Americans are being left behind in Detroit’s renaissance."
The News columnist talks to a member of the group and to Sen. Young's campaign manager. The men's tones and word choices differ starkly.
"It was a tough decision,” said the Rev. Baye Landy, regional coordinator of the Black Slate. "We had a white man and a black man. Our committee after interviewing both candidates decided that we should go with Mayor Duggan because we need to continue to move forward as a city.
"Also, we felt responsible to be involved in what is happening, not just be on the outskirts complaining. . . . We think it is more effective to be with Mike Duggan as opposed to doing the heavy lifting to bring Coleman Young II on board."
The clergyman comes across as reasoned, reasonable and realistic.
Adolph Mongo: "The Black Slate is a disgrace." (WMYD photo)
Here's what Thompson gets from Sen. Young's campaign manager, veteran Detroit political consultant Adolph Mongo:
"The Black Slate is a disgrace to the memory of all those leaders, including [founder] Jeramogi Abebe Agyeman, who fought for black empowerment in the ’60s.
"It is a disgrace to the memory of Coleman Young.. This endorsement makes them irrelevant. We have the best candidate."
Catch the differences: One man speaks of "a tough decision," a need to "move forward," a desire to be "more effective." The other speaks of "a disgrace" (twice), "black empowerment in the '60s" and "the memory of Coleman Young."
Rev. Landy and the Black Slate choose to look ahead. Mongo goes with racial politics of the past.
The choice for Detroit voters Tuesday and Nov. 7 is clear.
