FAST FACTS:
(Memphis 10/23/09) "One Memphis."
A C Wharton ran his campaign for Memphis Mayor with the slogan "One Memphis." This is a city that often has a split personality. Black Memphis and White Memphis. Twins who sometimes fight over the strangest things. But all part of the same family. That's One Memphis.
On Tuesday, people saw an example of the fighting split personalities of Memphis. City Council was meeting to discuss nominees to a consolidation committee. Frankly, it is pretty boring stuff. Normally. But one of the nominees was a guy who writes a blog. His name is Steve Ross and sometimes old Steve is a little tough on the city council. Anyway, Joe Brown didn't like Ross...'"this BLOGGER" ...is how he put it. Shea Flinn nominated Ross, and he didn't like how Joe talked about Ross. Then things opened up.
The exchange lasted nine seconds. Joe Brown looked at Shea Flinn. "I'm a real man my friend," Brown said to Flinn, "...a real Black man. I hope you are a real White man." Within two days that comment and the exchange became news across the state.
Mayor Elect A C Wharton says it caught him off guard. "It sends the wrong message," Wharton said. "It's something that's from the dinosaur age." Wharton went on to say "I expect the rough and tumble of urban politics. But there is no place for race in any of these discussions."
While Shelby County Mayor, Wharton has admonished people who have brought race into discussions. He will be talking one on one with City Council members once he's sworn in as Memphis Mayor. He will take the oath of office at High Noon on Monday, October 26th in the Hall of Mayors at Memphis City Hall.
- Councilmen Joe Brown and Shea Flinn arguing over committee nominee
- Wharton was present at meeting
- Says he was caught off guard by talk
(Memphis 10/23/09) "One Memphis."
A C Wharton ran his campaign for Memphis Mayor with the slogan "One Memphis." This is a city that often has a split personality. Black Memphis and White Memphis. Twins who sometimes fight over the strangest things. But all part of the same family. That's One Memphis.
On Tuesday, people saw an example of the fighting split personalities of Memphis. City Council was meeting to discuss nominees to a consolidation committee. Frankly, it is pretty boring stuff. Normally. But one of the nominees was a guy who writes a blog. His name is Steve Ross and sometimes old Steve is a little tough on the city council. Anyway, Joe Brown didn't like Ross...'"this BLOGGER" ...is how he put it. Shea Flinn nominated Ross, and he didn't like how Joe talked about Ross. Then things opened up.
The exchange lasted nine seconds. Joe Brown looked at Shea Flinn. "I'm a real man my friend," Brown said to Flinn, "...a real Black man. I hope you are a real White man." Within two days that comment and the exchange became news across the state.
Mayor Elect A C Wharton says it caught him off guard. "It sends the wrong message," Wharton said. "It's something that's from the dinosaur age." Wharton went on to say "I expect the rough and tumble of urban politics. But there is no place for race in any of these discussions."
While Shelby County Mayor, Wharton has admonished people who have brought race into discussions. He will be talking one on one with City Council members once he's sworn in as Memphis Mayor. He will take the oath of office at High Noon on Monday, October 26th in the Hall of Mayors at Memphis City Hall.
