The More Things Change the More They Stay the Same

‎I cannot forget the first time I met the current Chairman of SOUL ten years ago in New Orleans. He and I were the only minorities in the room and to my dismay when my boss at the time introduced me to him, he replied "so, you the new house "ni_ _ _ er".

Almost 10 years later I'm back in New Orleans and, not as surprised that the Chairman is still politically incorrect.

Several months ago in Houston, a HCC Trustee race received international coverage because the winning candidate defeated the Black incumbent by misleading voters to believe he was Black. Both the voters and the new trustee were highly criticized, but sometimes the more things change the more they stay the same.

Recently the SOUL Chairman released their ballot ticket that endorses a candidate in each race in Orleans Parish. ‎Every candidate's picture is displayed except for one. If I took a guess, SOULS's policy must be that only black candidates are allowed a picture.

Traditionally SOUL and other groups like it are known for opposing racial inequity. There is only one other candidate in the race against the councilwoman. He is a Harvard graduate, a business owner and a proven leader. In this apple to apples race why would SOUL endorse a candidate that they aren't willing to put her picture on their ticket?

Maybe New Orleans isn't progressing as much as I thought. ‎Race is always an election issue we like to avoid. On the flip side of a coin,  it has helped to create voter apathy, but to the contrary, it's also used to motivate citizens to vote.

When you don’t vote you choose not to have a voice but, if you choose to vote be informed and use your vote wisely.