Re “Wesson Not the Hero He Portrayed Himself to be, Parks Says”
[Editor’s Note: Mr. Kimbrew is editor of the California Friends of the African American Caucus.]
[img]1507|left|Basil_Kimbrew||no_popup[/img]As I write this, I ask you to read the entire editorial before emailing (cafriendsofaacc@gmail.com) or calling me. I was inspired because of the ongoing “hateration” of one of our greater leaders, the Honorable Herbert Wesson Jr., Los Angeles City Council President, South Los Angeles resident, Messiah Missionary Baptist Church member in good standing, father, husband, fraternity man, and good soul.
President Wesson has risen through the ranks, from the staff offormer Councilman Nate Holden, and has been in government service nearly 30 years. He has seen politics from all levels, and he is a respected player in the power game.
Given this profile, you can imagine my concerns with recent rumblings from some in Greater Los Angeles about President Wesson and his efforts to shore up opportunity for black electoral power in Los Angeles in the local redistricting process. Mr. Wesson thought that was best accomplished with three seats where African Americans have a fighting chance of running and winning.
He carefully watched the citizen-led effort then took over when the Citizens Commission plan came to the Council for review.
A couple of Council members from South L.A. were upset for various reasons with Mr. Wesson and got the good ministers of the city in a tizzy about the lines and boundaries and assets in districts. Unfortunately for all the smoke being stirred up by those two elected officials, there is little substance to the claims.
You may have seen articles about a video from a public meeting held by the Baptist Ministers Conference. There you see various opinions across South Los Angeles represented, and the Council President answering directly. There you see Mr. Wesson, the only sitting Council President to ever address any Baptist Ministers meeting, clearly stating that population, geography, and political history come together in the final lines for Los Angeles City Council boundaries to maximize black electoral power.
President Wesson clearly states that two seats are secured for the next quarter century and a third, the 9th District, is possible if there is a unifiedbBlack community supporting a quality candidate. What more do you want? Here is a Baptist layman, from South Los Angeles, pleading with the clergy to be understanding and help forge a new path with quality leadership.
In the humble opinion of this writer, there is nothing more important than keeping those three seats on the City Council. Come what may, we can test the fortitude of those who went after President Wesson with a simple question: Are you fighting for good representation in the 9th District?
