2 mayor candidate forums
By AMOS BROWN III
Every year the mainstream media in Indianapolis – the Star and the big TV stations – broadcast candidate debates in prime time. Only two or three times has the mainstream media allowed the city’s minority media journalists to participate in those debates.
Most times, the panelists in those debates reflect a monochromatic hue in an increasingly multi-colored Indianapolis and Indiana.
This year, you’d think that in an election in a city/county that’s now 27 percent African-American; a city/county where one-in-four voters are African-American; that Indianapolis’ mainstream media would include minority media in their debates.
Sadly, this year they aren’t.
So, instead of complaining, minority media’s doing something about it.
Inspired by what Tavis Smiley did with his forums involving African-American journalists questioning the presidential candidates, I’ve arranged for two opportunities for the major candidates for mayor to be questioned by African-American journalists. An in-depth discussion that will air in prime radio time for all our community to hear.
Our WTLC-AM (1310) “Afternoons with Amos” programs on Monday, Oct. 22 and Monday Oct. 29 will be devoted to an in-depth conversation on the issues with Republican mayoral candidate Greg Ballard and incumbent Democratic Mayor Bart Peterson.
It won’t be a traditional broadcast “debate” which has time limits on answers and responses that viewers/listeners feel doesn’t allow candidates really respond to questions. Instead, these two broadcasts will allow the community to hear each candidate respond to questions and issues in-depth.
Your Indianapolis Recorder has agreed to be a co-sponsor of these two special broadcasts. Recorder journalists will be among those asking questions along with members of the Indianapolis Association of Black Journalists, an affiliate of the National Association of Black Journalists.
On Oct. 22 and 29, Greg Ballard and Bart Peterson will be questioned, not just on the two big issues in the mayor’s race – property taxes and crime – but the myriad of other city/county issues impacting African-Americans. Issues from ascertaining the candidate’s views on affirmative action, inclusion of minority owned business in government projects and contracts, neighborhood redevelopment, neighborhood quality of life, transportation, deterioration of city parks and much more.
Recorder readers and WTLC-AM (1310) listeners will be encouraged to submit questions to be asked through the Indianapolis Recorder’s Web site www.indianapolisrecorder.com and WTLC’s Web site www.1310thelight.com. A special phone voice mail will be set up for the community to call in questions in advance for the candidates.
Those that miss these two special broadcasts with the mayoral candidates will be able to hear the entire discussions on line and be able to download them onto their computer or an MP3 audio player.
Mark Oct. 22 and Oct. 29 at 1 p.m. on your calendars. Our community’s opportunity to hear the two major candidates for mayor in depth on the issues of importance to our community. On WTLC-AM (1310), courtesy of “Afternoons with Amos” and your Indianapolis Recorder.
What I’m hearing in the streets
The first mayor debate has already occurred. Thursday night (Oct. 4) on WISH-TV Channel 8. I’ll catch the video replay and comment on it in next week’s column. I’m told WRTV/Channel 6 will hold a mayoral debate incorporated into their new 7 p.m. newscast on Oct. 17.
The two big debate surprises this year come from WTHR/Channel 13 and the Indianapolis Star. For the first time ever, Channel 13 won’t air a prime time debate, opting instead for a Sunday morning debate Oct. 21, with viewer submitted questions from the Web site You Tube.
While technologically cool, You Tube isn’t a venue popular with many African-Americans, so Channel 13’s effort cuts out participation from many Black folks. Not a good idea in a city/county election.
Meanwhile, the Star isn’t planning any debates and doesn’t seem to be co-sponsoring their newsgathering partner’s effort. Worse, the Star, for the first time in years, apparently isn’t doing any polling in the mayor’s race.
The four front running Republicans boycotted last week’s presidential debate at Morgan State citing “schedule conflicts.” We’ll see if City-County Council candidates will use the same excuse. Our “Afternoons with Amos” is focusing on council races in districts with sizeable Black populations. Invitations have been sent out for the candidates to appear. We’ll let you know which candidates have “scheduling difficulties” and don’t want to come speak on the issues to African-Americans through African-American media.
I didn’t know much about Elwood Black when I first met him during his first campaign for the City-County Council. But boy, did I learn about Elwood Black over these past 16 years.
Black is one who truly was a lion of our African-American community. Before becoming a politician, Black was a stalwart union man. An autoworker, Black was a loyal UAW member and a former president of the UAW’s powerful Local 550 here.
He was a pioneer in the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, working with other African-American union members to improve conditions and opportunity for Black union members. And not only was Black devoted to union affairs, he was a strong stalwart supporter of the NAACP.
In his 12 years on the City-County Council, you’d see Elwood Black out at myriad meetings and events in his district. Just like he fought for his union brothers and sisters, and for our community through the NAACP, Elwood Black fought for his constituents, his city and his community.
Elwood Black passed last week at 84. He left us too soon, but he truly, truly lived a full, rich life. My deepest, sincere condolences to his family and his many friends.
We are comforted knowing that Elwood Black – a true lion of our community – is together with other lions in that special place God has prepared for his best loyal and faithful servants.
It’s the final Circle City Classic in the RCA Dome, which will be demolished this spring for the new Lucas Oil Stadium and an expanded Convention Center. But somehow, I don’t feel the same vibe I’ve felt before the previous 23 Classics.
Nevertheless, I’ll again be walking in the Classic Parade, (proving again I’m not ready for “Dancing With The Stars”) and walking the Dome suite level for the final time.
I’ll have all the reports next week. See ‘ya at the Classic!
Amos Brown’s opinions are not necessarily those of the Indianapolis Recorder. You can contact him at (317) 221-0915 or by e-mail at ACBROWN@AOL.COM.
