Fernando Ferrer

The primaries are over. In this Pacific blue city, the Democratic primaries can be dizzying. It was for a newbie like me. But my DFNYC comrades - brave people - stayed spirited and engaged. Even when some of our endorsed candidates did not make it, the spirit was not down. "I put my efforts into a good cause, and I feel good about it." That was the spirit. I was like, wow.

Now the picture is a little clearer. Democrats are rallying behind Fernando Ferrer for Mayor. I have not looked into the details yet much, but the Republican incumbent Bloomberg seems to have a wide edge. He is way ahead in the polls. I wonder why.

I think he manages to deceive the New Yorkers into thinking he is a Republican in name only, and he manages to sing all the right tunes on the social issues. For example, he is against the Roberts nomination for Supreme Court. Not even many Democrats in DC have come out swinging like that. And he was a lifelong Democrat. He became Republican just to run for Mayor. The national Bush wave did it for him, looks like.

Bloomberg and Arnold tease the Democrats more than anyone else. They are so in your face.

Another thing is the Democratic Party is in such disarray. So totally out of power. That makes it hard for the Democrats locally.

But Bloomberg is not that much of a Democrat after all, if you look closely. He is a Bush person through and through. If he so disagrees with the official Republican line on the social issues, why did he join the party in the first place?

I think a lot of New Yorkers like it that he is rich. In the rat race of life, Bloomberg is a distant glow. The lighthouse seen from the sea. And the guy does spend a lot of his own money on his campaigns. He buys into the airwaves with abandon. And TV ads work, or they would not get bought left and right. Bloomberg has the money edge.

It is like Jack Kennedy's super rich father liked being called Amabassador. There is something about political offices for the rich. Bloomberg wanted to be Mayor. Mr. Mayor.

The Nepal peace process will continue to be my top political priority. But the mayoral race might be a good way to learn a little more about city politics. And I noticed Ferrer is Hispanic. The name should have told me, but I had to look it up nevertheless. I feel that is important. In this diverse city that is especially true. I doubt the city has ever had a Hispanic mayor ever.

The thought concurrent is it is a long shot. But that does not mean this will not be a spirited campaign. And there always is hope.

Fernando Ferrer
United Democratic Party Challenges the Mayor - New York Times
Key Endorsements: Fernando Ferrer (Gotham Gazette. September 5, 2005)
Democrats Rally Behind NYC Primary Winner - Yahoo! News
Fernando Ferrer - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Fernando Ferrer -- A Democratic Front-Runner

To: The Good White People In The South

Dear Good White People In The South.

I grew up in Nepal being thought of as an Indian, and when I showed up in Kentucky for college, some people asked me if I was from New York because I spoke so much faster compared to their leisurely southern drawl, and I moved to New York City a few months back, and some friends welcomed me as a man from Kentucky. Just so you know where I am coming from.

I write to you today because ever since I have become involved with the group Democracy For New York City, and have thought about national politics in a serious way, the South keeps banging on my mental screen in a big way. If the Democrats were to make a serious bid for the Congress next year, and for the White House in 2008, they better carry some southern states, or they are in trouble.

So what is it about you? I consider myself more a social scientist than a diplomat. And I will try and be clear on this one.

I think you should abandon those who appeal to your baser instincts that get you caricatured as racist, prejudiced, bigoted, homophobic people. I have a track record of denouncing the super sexism and the caste and ethnic prejudices in South Asia, where I grew up, in the Global South, and I believe that gives me a right to confront you bluntly.

You have not copyrighted the social ills: they exist all over the country and all over the world, although the degree might vary. So don't feel like I am putting you on the spot.

The entire country looks down upon you, and so you look down upon blacks and foreigners, is that what it is?

Used to be there was a Roman Empire. Today Italy is a relatively insignificant country. Used to be the sun never set on the British Empire. Today Britain is but a small island. In the long span of time, there are ups and downs. Look at how India and China have been growing. I take it for granted this is to be the Asian Century.

My point being, the South can hope to rise. But in this era of the internet and globalization, those who have trouble with diversity, cultural and otherwise, will be left behind. The pie will expand most for the open-minded. And so I invite you to open your minds.

And not just on social issues. What about the money issues? You are the poorest segment of America, and you vote for people who give massive tax cuts to the rich. That is money taken away from your schools, for one. The Republicans have been swiping your children's stolen credit cards with abandon. How do you like that? Because they think they have you on the social issues, they take you for a ride on the economic issues. Break that chain of bondage. Vote Democratic.

I was on the phone with Jesus last night. He also feels like you should open your minds. Open mindedness is more than a lack of hate, it is an active pursuit of differences that exist in kaleidoscopic forms. Thank god we are not all alike. Things are far more interesting the way they are.

Switch your party affiliation. Embrace grassroots organizing and politial activism.

You have what it takes. You can do it.