Scandals undercut black politicians' rise

Just 18 months ago, America inaugurated its first black president, a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus was chairman of the most powerful committee in Congress, the son of a Harlem kingmaker was New York's governor and a black lawmaker from Queens controlled the State Senate.

In terms of black New Yorkers' political aspirations, not only did black leaders have a seat at the table, they were at the head.

Today, that euphoria has been muted by scandals that have ensnared many of New York State's most noted black elected officials, including Rep. Charles Rangel (D-Manhattan), formerly chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee; Gov. David A. Paterson; Senate President Malcolm Smith (D-St. Albans); and Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-Jamaica). For Paterson - who succeeded a governor forced out in a sex scandal - allegations that he intervened in a case involving a close aide forced him to give up his own campaign for governor. Had he won the upcoming November ballot, Paterson would have become the first elected black governor in New York State history.

From pride to frustration

Although white politicians certainly have had their share of political scandals, the recent stumblings of black politicians have disappointed many in the black community who had taken pride in their ascendancy to the highest rungs of political power. There is even concern that the emergence of a statewide Democratic ticket that, for the first time in 20 years, does not include a black candidate could be seen by black voters as a rebuke.

"The minority vote is a big asset to have, and some will feel frustration by no minorities being on the statewide ticket," said Nassau Legis. Kevan Abrahams (D-Hempstead).

Indeed, weeks before Attorney General Andrew Cuomo announced he would pick Rochester Mayor Robert Duffy as his running mate for lieutenant governor in the fall elections, Abrahams said the scandals had cost the black community political clout.

"I don't believe we will get a chance like this again - certainly in my lifetime - to have so many African-Americans in key roles and able to effectuate change and deliver on the needs and concerns of the African-American community," said Abrahams. "Yes, in some people's minds there will be a hesitation to support an African-American candidate because of what Paterson has been accused of. But I think that person probably wouldn't have voted for an African-American candidate anyway."

Stirring racial anxieties

For Village of Hempstead Mayor Wayne J. Hall, the elections of black officials to top positions was more than just a matter of pride. "I had that euphoria because I thought there were finally people in position to help who realized there was an opportunity to bring economic development to Hempstead and pump money into the schools," he said. "But now, I don't know."

Hall said the scandals may embolden voters with racial anxieties to view all black leaders as suspect. That could weaken current black leaders and jeopardize the election of new ones, robbing black communities of the political clout needed to boost economic development, jobs, housing and education. Since succeeding Eliot Spitzer as governor, Paterson has gained a reputation for boosting the number of state contracts awarded to minority and women-owned businesses, and successfully championed the easing of Rockefeller drug laws community leaders have long argued are particularly damaging to black communities.

Others say that scandal is scandal, no matter which politician it ensnares and that all public figures should be held to a high standard.

Does race matter?

Harlem Assemblyman Adam Clayton Powell IV, himself convicted by a Manhattan jury in March of driving while impaired, said the fact that black politicians sometimes are caught up in scandals makes them no different from white politicians. He cited as an example Alan Hevesi, the former State Comptroller ousted by a pay-to-play scheme involving the investments of state pension funds.

"I don't think anyone is going to judge a whole race of people anymore," said Powell, who has announced that he would challenge Rangel for his congressional seat. "I think we're past the days when the focus is solely on race."

Delano Stewart, publisher of a Wyandanch newspaper, said there is a perception in the black community that the ascendancies of black leaders to powerful positions have made them the target of attacks with racial overtones.

"The hope had been that unique problems in the black community could be addressed," Stewart said. "The reality has been a backlash that has countered that hope, a backlash I see as created by a very activist media."

The Rev. Calvin Butts, pastor of Harlem's historic Abyssinian Baptist Church and the president of SUNY Old Westbury, said while he would like to see Rangel and Paterson retain positions of power, as he is proud of their achievements, he would be disappointed if it turns out that they did something illegal.

Lloyd Williams, president of the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, said that many in the black community feel wounded because of the failure of some minority politicians to live up to high standards.

"Many people in our community are disappointed that elected officials they looked up to so much have allowed themselves to be trapped by not dotting every 'I' and crossing every 'T'," Williams said. "But there is no doubt that black elected officials are under unprecedented siege and attack."