Really Albert?

NDG’s View

The lack of support within the Black community is something that has plagued us for hundreds of years, if not more. Unfortunately, this perpetual disdain we seemingly have for the success of our own over others grows as the success achieved by individuals increases. We are then not only marginalized by the lack of support but also by the lack of inclusion as it relates to the decisions that can ultimately benefit, without favoritism, our communities as a whole. Unfortunately, mayoral candidate Albert Black all too often is not part of the solution. Therefore, he is a part of the problem.

His unwillingness, despite his early campaign fundraising success, to support and advertise with the Dallas Black Press demonstrates, as with the other non-Black candidates, a lack of respect for the Black community.

What do we mean? Recently, Black’s ad entitled, “Let’s get the Dallas economy into the Black” was available via the far-right conservative website Breitbart.com. Ironically, the communities densely occupied by Blacks are the communities suffering the most from a lack of economic stimulation.

Black, the president and Chief Executive Officer of On-Target Supplies and Logistics, Ltd., is one of the nine mayoral candidates seeking to replace current Mayor Mike Rawlins. Yes, he is an astute businessman with a proven track record. However, his lack of inclusion of the Dallas Black Press to reach the community we serve, and who need it the most, is disappointing.

Black in building a record of success, understands the challenges minority business owners face. Yet, when he has an opportunity to open doors for others, his record is not so rosy during this election cycle. Perhaps at the advice of others, he willingly neglected an advertising effort to unify and inform the community by all means necessary. We cannot allow any candidate, especially one who shares our plight – even if it’s on the surface – to ignore us until it’s time to visit our churches.

For far too long we blindly pass out olive branches in hopes of receiving some form of mutual support or inclusivity at the “table.” We ignore the flagrant and apparent signs; they just don’t care value our community. We give a pass because of similar political views or even worse, because of race. It’s a shame our community is continually left begging for crumbs when we have the means to bake our own cakes.

We can no longer stand idly by and watch our own ignore us until they need us to win an election or to gain financially. Black is Black; whether he likes it or believes it. He fails to realize our readers are his base and are not supporters or regular readers of larger publications.

Our readers mobilize and execute ground efforts to build and grow our communities. Our readers harken to our voice to determine who is the best for the City and their district.

Black did meet with the publishers of Dallas Black Press, as we met with each of the candidates for mayor one-on-one. Unfortunately, Black was the only one to come to the meeting with no materials regarding his proposed policies and key campaign initiatives. It was surprising to have him as the only candidate to not make an effort to help us understand so we can share with our readers, how his election will benefit the Black community. Instead, he focused on his resume, the achievements of his wife and his displeasure regarding others in the race.

In other words, it was all about him. Unlike his opponents, either he did not take the publishers or our readers valuable enough to come prepared to earn our support.

Albert Black apparently did not receive the memo confirming the Black Press is still alive and working diligently to keep our readers informed. The voices of our readers ring throughout our pages, and any candidate seeking to gain the support of voters within the community earnestly should pass through our pages and our digital outlets so our readers can become familiar with them.