Style Weekly
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Mayor Unleashes Preacher
Jones: "Let go of the mediocrity."
Posted by Scott Bass on Tue, Jan 31, 2012 at 4:00 AM
Call it Mayor Dwight Jones' opening statement. In his State of the City address tonight at Thomas Jefferson High School on West Grace Street, Jones unleashed a torrential downpour of mayoral accomplishments in his first three years -- lots and lots of groundbreakings, mostly for things that are still years from actually being built.
We’ll parse through the particulars soon enough. (Ask us about the green, concrete-looking "riverfront terraces" lining the bank of the James).
The real story here is that Jones let the preacher out, particularly toward the end of his speech, and it damn near broke into a call-and-response sermon. This is a relatively rare occurrence. Jones likes to keep the reverend out of his politics, perhaps to his detriment.
If this is a sign of things to come in 2012, well, it can’t all be bad. In pressing for continuing to build on the foundation his administration has supposedly already built --“We’re playing on a great stage,” he told the audience -- the mayor dropped this gem:
“I’ve spoken about the schools that we are building, and we’re so proud of that and we’re grateful to all who have come together to make that happen. … But the buildings speak to bricks and mortar. And we’re using the same bricks and mortar to build a jail. Our challenge is to make sure that our jail is not the structure that ends up getting the most use.”
And this:
“I applaud the progress that’s been made by the school system. Dr. [Yvonne] Brandon and the School Board have done a marvelous job. Let me be the first to say we have come a long way. But I must also point out that the future of our children and the future of our city demands more of you, and demands more of me,” Jones said. “A tier one city is one where we stop celebrating the decreases in our negatives. For example, a tier one city does not celebrate a decrease in our dropout rate and truancy rates. A tier one city does not celebrate getting more education money from the state because we are poor and have kids on free lunch. A tier one city does not celebrate when our schools are … accredited based on archaic minimum standards.”
Oh, it gets even better:
“And I must admit that I myself have participated in these celebrations of mediocrity. But we’ve got to stop. A tier one city has got to recognize that we will accept nothing but excellence in education. We have got to let go of the mediocrity and embrace excellence. … Our children are crying out for help.”
I don’t know what message that sends about his campaign for reelection, but it’s hard not to be a little inspired by his honesty. At the very least, it’s a good start.
Comments (5)
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"Let Go of the Mediocrity" should be the slogan for any and all candidates who run against Jones in the next mayoral election. Richmond needs a lot more progress and a whole lot less pompous.
Goodness. If we want to get rid of mediocrity, then we need to throw the hole bunch out! Have you listened to the debate in the General Assembly, or in the City Council Chambers, or when any of our "leaders" try to deal with the issues of the day. Or should I say get caught up in unimportant matters when they pander to their loudest constituents. Let's get rid of the mediocrity. Step forward community leaders - corporate leaders - do your part.
Last year I had the opportunity to participate in a Group of local citizens that met to discuss and suggest ways to improve RPS's community presence and involvment, particularly after normal school hours. Without fail, quite a few citizens broached Richmond's history of inequitable treatment of its communities, and the 2 ton elephant in the room - pandering to racism and negativity through eternal celebration of treason and slavery. Though the elephant was ignored again, the Group's recognition and disscussion attempts signal the presence of an issue that stalemates RPS' overarching education and community goals. We must find the fortitude, seize the moment, and address the addiction to public display and celebration of insult, hate, and animus as regards one particular segment of citizens, and by default the communities inhabited by those particular citizens. As long as Richmond, and its Parent, the Commonwealth of Virginia, stick their heads in the sand and pretend that indignation and seperation are necessarily elemental to maintaining a societal system of of intellectual apartheid, we all can expect continued mediocrity. Yes, replace outdated facilities, but NO, mediocrity won't be displaced by newer buildings, or elections, because the same people will inhabit those places. Letting go of mediocrity starts with getting a grip on mutual respect for all of Richmond's Citizens, and Her Communities.
Emmett Jay
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