Closing the chapter on Mayor Kwame M. Kilpatrick
September 4, 2008
If you haven’t heard yet, Kwame Kilpatrick resigned today, ending an eight month long text-messaging scandal that has ravaged Detroit and the entire state of Michigan. I am too tired to explain all the minutiae of these cases because it is too emotionally draining but if you want to learn about it, go to the Detroit Free Press.
To be frank, I didn’t want to write about this story until it was over because I knew that 1) The text messages would be the downfall of the mayor and 2) I choose to focus and work on far more important issues that deserves attention like foreclosed homes, the lack of a quality transit system, failing schools, sky-rocket car insurance rates, just to name a few.
Here is the thing, I don’t believe in kicking a man when he is down. Kwame is out of office and while there needs to be healing for the citizens of Detroit, I rebuke anyone who claims to seriously care about Detroit that will harp on this situation as a reason why they won’t fight the good fight. But let’s keep it really real, I really don’t care about what you think about the court cases. I care about whether you care about the citizens of Detroit. This is where I stood before the scandal, during the scandal, and where I stand today.
So as we look towards the future, there are a couple things to keep in mind. Just because Kwame is out of office does not mean that you have to run for mayor next year. Many folks have said today that this is a unique opportunity for Detroit to make a turn for the better. Those opportunities are present every single day and if you are waiting for the next scandal to sort-a-kinda get involved, don’t talk to me. And don’t wallow in despair. So when someone says it’s a sad day in Detroit, tell them that you look towards the hills from which cometh your help.
Stay up fam,
Brandon Q.
