Jonetta Rose Barras: Next move: Impeach Marion Barry
By: Jonetta Rose Barras
Examiner Columnist
February 22, 2010
By jonetta rose barras
"Woe to him who would put his trust in Anansi," warns an African proverb. A figure found in African diasporic folklore, Anansi is considered crafty and cunning, surviving by his wits and bamboozling other animals for his own profit.
Ward 8 D.C. Councilman Marion Barry is Anansi.
For decades, he has tricked the city, particularly African-Americans and the poor. He has repeatedly asserted everything he's done has been for "the people," not for any personal gain. The record offers a different narrative.
In my book, "The Last of the Black Emperors: The Hollow Comeback of Marion Barry in the New Age of Black Leaders," I quoted Barry supporters who told me cash contributions often arrived at campaign offices in paper bags; the money never was deposited. During his mayoral terms, his cronies feasted at the public trough. Meanwhile, agencies serving the city's most vulnerable residents -- public housing, mental health, and child and family services -- were placed in receivership by federal or local judges.
Barry has used his constituents to deflect criticism and protect his political standing. Even last week, as lawyers Robert S. Bennett and Amy R. Sabrin released their investigative report into Barry's use of public funds for a contract to a paramour and earmarks to pals through fake nonprofit organizations, he declared it was all to uplift the people of Ward 8.
Watching his abuse of those residents and their misplaced trust in him is like observing a beloved aunt repeatedly subjected to domestic violence only to return to the arms of her abuser. But, the entire city also is his victim.
It's time to stop the travesty.
"If this isn't something worth impeaching, explain what is," Paul Craney, executive director of the D.C. Republican Party, told me.
"This era of Mr. Barry living above the law has got to come to an end," at-large Councilman David Catania said last week.
The council could pass emergency legislation amending the city's home rule charter to allow it to impeach any official found to have violated city ethics laws or to have been engaged in corrupt behavior.
"I would support an amendment that gives the council the ability to deal with these types of matters," Ward 2 Councilman Jack Evans told me.
Chairman Vincent C. Gray has given Barry until Tuesday to respond to the investigative report. The Bennett-Sabrin report didn't comment on contracting by other council members and didn't thoroughly explore all legislators' earmarking activities. That might explain the council's reluctance to move aggressively against Barry.
So, Anansi has yet another opportunity to bamboozle.
Go HERE to continue reading.
To contact The Advoc8te to submit an article or to inquire about advertising options send an email to congressheightsontherise@gmail.com.
Share on Facebook
Examiner Columnist
February 22, 2010
By jonetta rose barras
"Woe to him who would put his trust in Anansi," warns an African proverb. A figure found in African diasporic folklore, Anansi is considered crafty and cunning, surviving by his wits and bamboozling other animals for his own profit.
Ward 8 D.C. Councilman Marion Barry is Anansi.
For decades, he has tricked the city, particularly African-Americans and the poor. He has repeatedly asserted everything he's done has been for "the people," not for any personal gain. The record offers a different narrative.
In my book, "The Last of the Black Emperors: The Hollow Comeback of Marion Barry in the New Age of Black Leaders," I quoted Barry supporters who told me cash contributions often arrived at campaign offices in paper bags; the money never was deposited. During his mayoral terms, his cronies feasted at the public trough. Meanwhile, agencies serving the city's most vulnerable residents -- public housing, mental health, and child and family services -- were placed in receivership by federal or local judges.
Barry has used his constituents to deflect criticism and protect his political standing. Even last week, as lawyers Robert S. Bennett and Amy R. Sabrin released their investigative report into Barry's use of public funds for a contract to a paramour and earmarks to pals through fake nonprofit organizations, he declared it was all to uplift the people of Ward 8.
Watching his abuse of those residents and their misplaced trust in him is like observing a beloved aunt repeatedly subjected to domestic violence only to return to the arms of her abuser. But, the entire city also is his victim.
It's time to stop the travesty.
"If this isn't something worth impeaching, explain what is," Paul Craney, executive director of the D.C. Republican Party, told me.
"This era of Mr. Barry living above the law has got to come to an end," at-large Councilman David Catania said last week.
The council could pass emergency legislation amending the city's home rule charter to allow it to impeach any official found to have violated city ethics laws or to have been engaged in corrupt behavior.
"I would support an amendment that gives the council the ability to deal with these types of matters," Ward 2 Councilman Jack Evans told me.
Chairman Vincent C. Gray has given Barry until Tuesday to respond to the investigative report. The Bennett-Sabrin report didn't comment on contracting by other council members and didn't thoroughly explore all legislators' earmarking activities. That might explain the council's reluctance to move aggressively against Barry.
So, Anansi has yet another opportunity to bamboozle.
Go HERE to continue reading.
To contact The Advoc8te to submit an article or to inquire about advertising options send an email to congressheightsontherise@gmail.com.
Share on Facebook