I'm going to ruffle some feathers with this one...some feathers I maybe don't USUALLY ruffle!! But, I call 'em as I see 'em and even though he's a stone-cold Democrat and I'm not...even though I disagree with key elements of his perspective on this, I have to give Newark, NJ Mayor RAS BARAKA his props. Democrat or not, the man is a GOOD LEADER, and let me explain why I say that.
Just yesterday, I learned that Baraka had the Christopher Columbus statue in downtown Newark (my place of birth, by the way) REMOVED at the end of June. This was around the time when miscreants across the nation were going around TOPPLING and DEFACING statues and monuments they didn't like...a lawless practice that I've condemned again and again in this blog. Now, if you're Italian, or even if you're NOT Italian, you may say "How does removing Columbus's statue show good leadership?" Fair question. And I answer it's HOW he did it. Please, bear with me as I explain.
Here are Baraka's own words, from the morning after the statue's removal, and then they'll be followed by my explanations, I promise.
“In keeping with the movement to remove symbols of oppression and white supremacy, we have decided to remove the statue of Christopher Columbus from Washington Park. We took it down with City work crews in a safe and orderly manner, to avoid the potential danger of people taking it upon themselves to topple it.
“The removal of this statue should not be perceived as an insult to the Italian-American community, It is a statement against the barbarism, enslavement, and oppression that this explorer represents.”
My comments:
1.) Do I agree with the Mayor's terribly harsh assessment of Christopher Columbus?? NO, I ABSOLUTELY DO NOT.
But I do agree with Mayor Baraka's realistic assessment of the fact that certain ones WOULD have taken it upon themselves to topple the statue if he didn't pre-emptively remove it. And instead of doing nothing and LETTING them do it, Baraka acted decisively, being "the prudent man who forsees the evil and hides himself" as the book of Proverbs says. (Only THIS time he was "hiding" COLUMBUS)!! People have a right (like it or not) to think what they want about Columbus but they do NOT have the right to destroy public property. And a Mayor should PREVENT destruction of public property, even though he (apparently) believes bad things about Columbus, himself. Baraka put personal feelings ASIDE, unlike Democrat Mayors in other states.
Above: The statue before it was removed.
2.) Press releases indicate that Baraka put the statue in storage at a safe location. He PROTECTED it. He didn't TOSS it. He MOVED it, more than he REmoved the statue.. It "lives to see another day".....maybe he'll donate it to the Italian community in Newark, to display in the North Ward, where it's still predominantly Italian?? (I'd do it...on COLUMBUS Day, no less and I'd personally go to HELP dedicate it. Newark STILL has a significant Italian population, a new movie, "The Many Saints of Newark," was based on Italians in Newark and was SUPPOSED to debut this week but has been moved back to February because of COVID). Anyway, THIS (taking action to move the statue) IS MUCH BETTER THAN DOING WHAT MANY OTHER DEM MAYORS ACROSS THE NATION DID: N O T H I N G.
Unlike other Mayors, who LET lawbreakers trash symbols that they (personally) objected to, Baraka put his own feelings aside and acted decisively to remove the statue for the good of his City. Others didn't act even AFTER the carnage began, Baraka acted BEFORE it did and he derailed it. Which leads me to...
3.) His reassurance to the "Italian-Americans" showed a terrific sensitivity and ability to understand how THEY might see his action. Good leaders communicate to their people.....ALL of their people. I understand that Baraka's great leadership / communication skills have helped keep COVID in check, in Newark ALSO in these past 6 months.
In closing, just about everyone in America knows how Newark, NJ had terrible RACE RIOTS in 1967. I, personally lived through them. And there were TWO MEN who fueled them, one was Leroi Jones (later, his name changed to Imamu Amiri Baraka, Mayor Baraka's dad) and one was ANTHONY IMPERIALE, an Italian leader who had a very public feud with Baraka. BOTH were racists and BOTH assisted in division and destruction which was brought upon Newark. On June 1st in this blog I praised RAS Baraka for the way he handled PEACEFUL George Floyd protests in Newark, I loved the way he apparently LEARNED from his dad's mistakes. And TODAY I praise him AGAIN for preventing more destruction. Good leaders learn from the mistakes of others!!
In that June 1st blog, I erred by spelling his name "Raz" but today I have spelled it correctly...."Ras." I suspect that one day he may be known for having a MUCH higher office than Mayor of Newark and EVERYONE will know how to spell his name!! I'll say this, he's a much better Mayor than Cory Booker was, will make a MUCH better Senator and MUCH more viable candidate for President to run against Donald Trump Jr. and Kim Klacik, in 2024 should the Lord tarry!! RAS BARAKA IS AN EXAMPLE OF GOOD LEADERSHIP though I don't always agree with his perspectives.
And as a former Newarker, I'll also say this...he makes me proud of Newark AND of New Jersey.
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