All I want for Christmas…
December 8, 2014 by Las Vegas Black Image Magazine
Filed under Feature
BY LOUIE OVERSTREET
LOUIE OVERSTREET
Here is my modest Christmas wish list:
1. When discussing the consequences of not turning out at the polls on Election Day, I wish I would have to stop saying “I told you so” to people who look like me.
2. While I certainly wish Rep. Steven Horsford good health as a family man, I would be less than honest if I didn’t note three things that led to his defeat last month: He went to D.C. anticipating a lifetime job as a congressman; hired an inept staff that was unable to effectively address constituent issues; and couldn’t shake his earned reputation as a politician who fails to keep his word. Also, as reported in Politico, blaming Hispanics for his defeat isn’t the wisest thing to do if he plans to run again in 2016.
3. I wish our three community based organizations — namely, the NAACP, the Urban Chamber, and Urban League — could generate numbers that would make them more effective advocates for civil rights, business inclusion and social fairness.
4. I wish people who have access to media would call out the less than half-dozen people who have done considerable harm to the aspirations of black people by falsely representing themselves as leaders — when all they are concerned about are themselves.
5. I wish the blacks elected to the Nevada State Legislature last month would hold a town hall meeting, and after receiving input from the community, hold a press conference to announce what their legislative agenda will be for the upcoming legislative session.
6. I wish that it would become a tradition where all elected officials in Clark County would hold bi-weekly news conferences to update the citizenry on issues of importance to our community — i.e. use of deadly force on unarmed citizens and the overcharging of persons of color who break the law.
7. I wish these same offi cials would have the courage to call for the de-funding of the Nevada Equal Rights Commission, since its effectiveness has atrophied.
Santa, I have been a good boy — so please grant me my seven wishes!
