The calypso king of the world (the Mighty Sparrow/Slinger Francisco), who was born on the island of Grenada -but lived most of his adult life in Trinidad and Tobago- opened up a famous calypso of his, with this line: “Let me tell you something, about Labor Day in Brooklyn”. That’s exactly how I start this column; by telling you something big that happened on Labor Day in Brooklyn.
Since 1967, the West Indian American Day Carnival Association (W.I.A.D.C.A.) has been holding Labor Day parades (millions strong) in New York City. One of their big events lately, is the breakfast ceremony – usually held under a large tent, in a park off Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn. Politicians from every corner come to this event. In the past there have been appearances from Senators Clinton and Schumer; former governors like Pataki and Cuomo; mayors like Bloomberg, Koch and Dinkins; and electeds at all levels of the political ladder. Even wannabee electeds show up for media exposure, networking, advertising purposes, photo-ops and the like. It’s the political place to be on the morning of Labor Day.
I doubt that the current borough president of Brooklyn (Marty Markowitz) has ever missed one of these breakfasts, since he was first elected to office (senate) almost 30 years ago. Marty loves Caribs, and they in turn are reciprocal (for the most part). He loves to tell anyone within earshot, that Caribs elected him to the boro prez position. He even made a light-skinned black Jamaican-born woman his deputy borough president; her name is Yvonne Graham. She is attractive, bright, articulate and qualified. She is also a health-expert. She is a damn good candidate for any office. And I don’t just say this because I am Caribbean-American like she is. As much as I am a Carib, I try to be objective about these things.
At the WIADCA breakfast this past Monday, Marty Markowitz endorsed Yvonne Graham to fill his term-limited shoes in next year’s election. Both of her opponents (Bill DiBlasio and Charles Barron) were right there listening and watching. Marty said that she was both capable and competent. And as his understudy for the past six years, she knows the job so well that she can step in right away to assume duties. He claims that she knows all the ins and outs of the position, and that Brooklyn should elect her to follow him – even if only for consistency and continuity.
Ms. Graham -who only recently announced that she would seek to replace Marty- has already raised close to a quarter million dollars for the run. She has also raised eyebrows with this financial showing. Her other black opponent (Charles Barron) has been running for close to two years now, and he has only raised two thousand dollars (in actuality a little less than that). This embarrassing factor is enough to disqualify him from running: but his humongous ego won’t let him. Yet he loves to talk about black-empowerment, inclusion and such. If he keeps this up, his credibility on black issues will be at stake. Between now and next year’s primary day, blacks will see his true colors; watch. I hope he knows what political-time of day (or night) it is.
Marty Markowitz is as popular as political popularity goes. If illegal aliens and/or green card holders could vote in next year’s mayoral race, Marty will be a winner hands down. I have no doubt about this. I could tell you why I say so; but that’s for another column. When he won the borough presidency in 2001, it was a major surprise to many who gave him no shot. They totally underestimated the Caribbean-American vote. Just as they did when I made Yvette Clarke the favorite to win the 11th congressional seat two years ago -after Nick Perry pulled out of the race. This year in the 21st senatorial race, the Caribbean-American vote will play a major factor in determining the winner: I know who that is; and I will tell you on Election Day (not before).
Look; many times I have said to my readers on these here blogs, that you should never underestimate Marty Markowitz as a politician (and believe me I know; from experience going up against him). If Marty runs for mayor next year he will be very competitive. I know many of you latte-drinking Park Slope lefties hate to hear this; but as I always say: I give it up straight; with no chaser.
This big endorsement from Marty will make Yvonne Graham a very competitive candidate in next year’s race. If Barron pulls out and leaves her as the only black person in this race, her chances will increase further. It is up to Charles Barron to show blacks in Brooklyn that he isn’t a selfish ego-tripper; especially as it relates to minority-empowerment and inclusion. If he is willing to help make history by electing the first Caribbean-American, the first woman, and the first black person as Brooklyn Boro Prez, then all he has to do is step aside. He cannot build the racial, religious, nationalistic and ethnic coalitions needed to win this race: he knows it. His politics of the past has been too divisive. His temperament is also in question; so too his judgment. He is an anachronism waiting to find the past to which he belongs. He needs to step to the present.
Stay tuned-in folks: let’s see if a supposed big bad black man (Charles Barron) will finally show us all, that he is really a little man in his thinking, actions and deeds; or maybe he will finally start doing some serious introspection (that’s way long overdue).