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« Pasadena Underground | Main | Pomona resolute »

This is bad

Power of the printing press
A flyer circulated through the community this past week attacking the mayor over the Bakewell Co. That's fine -- attack away. The flyer also invited people to a meeting in the community room at Renaissance Plaza, the Bakewell-built shopping center on North Fair Oaks Avenue. That's fine too.

What's disturbing is the choice of visual imagery used. Images of lynchings are among the most chilling and evocative reminders of the depths of our own society's capacity for barbarism. They can be used to great, sobering effect.

But when such important iconography is exploited, it cheapens and insults the gravitas of history's deep injustice.

I got ahold of one of the flyers yesterday and debated whether to post it due to the inflammatory content. But I'm not here to act as moral decider; a gatekeeper for information. I felt ill when nearly all American media refused to publish Denmark's controversial Muhammad cartoons, despite my personal respect for Islam.

But here's a description if you don't want to look: The flyer -- the text of which makes little sense, but carries its sentiment effectively -- depicts a black lynching victim superimposed over the Pasadena City Hall. "Racism is alive in Pasadena. Ask the mayor why he is building an alliance against the people of the Northwest community."

"Continue reading" for the image in full.

Image should pop-up in full with a click.


Posted by Todd on August 21, 2007 7:29 PM |

Comments

What is the issue here? A multi million dollar developer did not get richer? Injecting the image of a lynching into the debate on what development team gets free city land is quite a statement. No wonder the community is in disarray and the kids follow their own leaders.

Posted by: Anonymous | August 21, 2007 8:43 PM

This makes me laugh. I wonder what Von's thinks of the use of their name to describe the venue. I would say if you were waiting for the fat lady to sing down the end of 40 years of Black political power in Pasadena this flyer demonstrates that she has stood up and is about to belt out her farewell tune.

Posted by: fat lady sings | August 21, 2007 9:05 PM

I invite you all to call Brian Dowling, Von's VP of Public Affais at 1-925-467-3000 tommorrow and ask him why Von's is hosting this event in their shopping center so they will call their landlord Danny Bakewell and ask him WTF is going on. When Danny Bakewell hears from his largest tenant his jets are going to cool PDQ.

Posted by: Call Von's | August 21, 2007 9:10 PM

also, print out the flyer and fax it to Brian Dowling at 925-467-3323 and demand that Von's immediately move to prevent their name from being used to promote lynching. The goal is to get Von's to scream at Bakewell and give Bakewell a dose of his own racial poison.

Posted by: Fax Von's | August 21, 2007 9:17 PM

How much money has Bakewell invested into parks, recreation and social activities in the Northwest. $0.00. He is a taker. He takes the Northwest residents money but doesn't invest a penny in the betterment of the community. You end up with lackeys like Joe Hopkins stirring the pot till it overflows. We got a BIG PROBLEM with race relations in Pasadena. You can throw Jimmy Morris into that pot too. He also hasn't invested a damn cent in anything he won't profit from.

Posted by: M. | August 21, 2007 9:41 PM

This offends me as a human being. There's better ways to get your point across.

Posted by: Aaron Proctor | August 21, 2007 10:40 PM

I'm shocked and I'm usually the person trying to be shocking.

Posted by: Aaron Proctor | August 21, 2007 11:22 PM

Pasadena's out of touch Old Black Guard has finally jumped the shark. Get some balls Todd and report their frustration at their dwindling political power and what they think the future of the black community will be.

Posted by: Anonymous | August 22, 2007 12:06 AM

If the desired effect was to unify the black community in a cause, was it successful? Notably absent in all of this is the Hispanic voice from the area, and I didn't say a word either (to rep poor white girls of District 3). Is this an issue of racism or classism, or both? I went to those HSq city council meetings and I was very moved by the public comments. I felt, as many did, that the voices of these residents were ignored by the council, and there was that strange stinky odor of maneuvering coming from those in the highback swivel chairs. The council helped create this polarization by being unclear about what they were requesting from developers in the first place. If Bakewell had no chance of working with this city again, then why didn't they tell him outright at the beginning? Why even consider a proposal from him if his past performance was so terrible? That's not what happened. It got drawn out and convoluted, for what? For the appearance of fair play? You know what is said about "appearances... I call it jerking someone around with a predictable and disasterous outcome. If the city had already made up its mind it didn't want another Bakewell project, why invite the community to consider him? Then, to top it off the CM orders an investigator to report ostensively on the "process" used in city land/redevelopment/Brown Act requirements. A document so inapropriate, insulting and inflammatory I nearly lost my lunch reading it. For many years I handled bids from production companies. If one came back at closing with mass overages that my company had to cover, I was loathe to accept another bid from them in the future. The cards were all on the table, right up front. It was nothing personal. The city mishandled the project from its inception, and that is where the responsibility for this polarization really lives. PS. The council disregarded the public comment during the peloton issue initially, as well. But that is comparing apples to oranges, perhaps.

Posted by: Miss Havisham | August 22, 2007 2:13 AM

Miss H., good thoughtful points. A few questions, Who designed the process? (city staff) Who was supposed to make it a clear process? (city staff). Who was supposed to make sure it was a fair process? (city staff). Who was supposed to make sure that the process could not be challenged by anyone? (city staff). Who was supposed to make sure that the process did not get overly influenced by any one developer or any particular interest be they good folks or not? (city staff). Who was supposed to present the results to city council in a way that no questions would go unanswered? (city staff). Who was supposed to defend the process if attacked in the public forum (city staff). Who had to hire an investigator to explain what happened (city staff). Who was supposed to conduct due diligence of the proposers to insure that the teams were solid and not going to fall apart? (city staff). Who should be held accountable for the whole mess? gee, dunno.

Posted by: Anonymous | August 22, 2007 6:46 AM

The term "city" in my post refers to council and staff inclusive. The finger pointing going on within the city government is not a bit helpful. The city (each and all, including the Mayor) bear some responsibility for this inexplicable swirling vortex of histeria. Our local government is mirroring our national government, creating an identified enemy, fear and drastic protections, resources drained to fund an expensive war. The poorer communities get the shaft. Results don't lie.

Posted by: Miss Havisham | August 22, 2007 10:26 AM

Is the Star News going to do a story on this? Bringing Bakewell's kind of racism to the forefront is crucial - seeing it in the light of day, is disgusting and will thrive if ignored.

Posted by: Anonymous | August 22, 2007 10:39 AM

NOW IS THE TIME TO DEMAND TERM LIMITS FOR ALL PASADENA ELECTED OFFICIALS. THERE ARE TOO MANY VOICES IN EVERY DISTRICT THAT SHOULD BE AFFORDED THE OPPORTUNITY TO KEEP THE POLITICAL DIALOGUE FRESH UNDER THE DOME. 2 TERMS AND OUT. THAT MEANS MADISON, HADERLEIN, TYLER, HOLDEN AND BOGAARD WOULD BE GONE BY NOW. THE SAME GOES FOR CITY COMMISSIONERS. FINISH YOUR TERM AND THE COUNCIL MEMBER WILL APPOINT ANOTHER FOR THE POST. THERE IS TOO MUCH NEPOTISM AND MALAISE IN CITY HALL. FRESH VOICES MEAN FRESH IDEAS FOR THE CITY. 2 TERMS AND OUT. I THINK THAT TODD OR LARRY SHOULD BRING UP THE TOPIC IN A FEATURE STORY SOON, BEFORE THE 2009 ELECTIONS.

Posted by: marco | August 22, 2007 10:50 AM

This sort of affrontery to common decency in the name of inciting political action can only further polarize the community. It certainly isn't going to do anything to hasten an end to the violence we are experiencing in those same Northwest Pasadena neighborhoods. If you're a young person in Northwest Pasadena seeing something like this is only going to further reinforce your understanding that the "system" is unfair and that you have no chance for a future within in. Also, not to be an apologist, but there are those in the African-American community in Pasadena who see the council's ham-handed rush to exclude Bakewell as an economic lynching. That doesn't make the imagery employed here any less abhorrent and distasteful or any less inappropriate in this context and in this city. Someone involved with the Pasadena-Altadena Black Coalition needs to show a little sense... Or, as my wife would say, "Where's the responsible adult here?" Who are the actual (or on-paper) leaders of the Pasadena-Altadena Black Coalition? I used to be absolutely opposed to term limits and haven't seen a lot of good come from that at the state level, but seeing how difficult it is to even get qualified candidates to run against an incumbent, I'm giving the notion some further thought. Though I would think three terms and out would be better for Council and two terms about out for Mayor... Paul

Posted by: Paul (that talker guy) | August 22, 2007 11:07 AM

Unfortunately this flyer characterizes what is now happening in the Northwest. This again has turned into an issue of race when it is more complex than that. Add a flyer like this and you then understand why people aren't interested in what is happening in the Northwest. Our so called black leaders in the Northwest are viewed as Sharpton and Jackson - and they are considered jokes. Just sad that things like this still happen in our community and goes to further polarize the problems we are experiencing.

Posted by: Angel Bec | August 22, 2007 11:18 AM

http://www.pbs.org/jazz/video/audioplayer/jazzaudio_strangefruit.html

Posted by: Anonymous | August 22, 2007 12:26 PM

Oh cmon stop the handwringing and gnashing of teeth and treat this for the ridiculous farce that it is.

Posted by: Anonymous | August 22, 2007 12:28 PM

Easy for you to say. This leaflet is rhetoric to an irresponsible and dangerous level.

Posted by: Anonymous | August 22, 2007 2:23 PM

We already have term limits - it's called Election Day. Term limits are for lazy people - and to think term limits could of had any impact on this train wreck is ridiculous.

Posted by: Anonymous | August 22, 2007 3:01 PM

I don't know about term limits, Paul. Sure, it would keep certain people's terms from becoming a dynasty or regime... and I guess it would give some sort of mandate to politicians. But what if, in some strange combination of happenstance and awesomeness, someone gets elected who is actually a damn good public servant? Then what? Let them serve their required 2 or 3 terms only to be replaced by someone crappier?

Posted by: Aaron Proctor | August 22, 2007 3:26 PM

Dangerous how? Are black people that easily aroused? Are Black people dangerous when aroused? Or are you projecting your own prejudices with an assumption that black people are easily fooled and don't see this for what it is? This flyer is designed primarily to intimidate and scare white people...not incite black people. I bet there weren't even 6 people at that meeting that weren't Bakewell supporters of one stripe or another.

Posted by: Anonymous | August 22, 2007 3:52 PM

"Inciting and scaring white people" (your words) is not raising things to an irresponsible and dangerous level? What history books have you been reading lately?

Posted by: Anonymous | August 22, 2007 4:02 PM

"Who are the actual (or on-paper) leaders of the Pasadena-Altadena Black Coalition?" - Paul Why do need to know that? Just curious. Incidently, today is the anniversary of the Sacco and Vancetti execution. Sorry, the global warming is getting to me.

Posted by: Miss Havisham | August 22, 2007 5:01 PM

Sigh. The flyer is supposed to scare gullible white people into thinking that blacks are being inflamed and will become violent if their demands are not met.

Posted by: Anonymous | August 22, 2007 5:37 PM

Thank you for giving the gullible white person's view. I always wondered how they think!

Posted by: Anonymous | August 22, 2007 6:25 PM

suckers

Posted by: Anonymous | August 22, 2007 6:38 PM

Strangely enough, Sid Tyler is the president of Pasadena-Altadena Black Coalition.

Posted by: Aaron Proctor | August 22, 2007 7:22 PM

For Ms. Havisham: The names most mentioned in the Pasadena-Altadena Black Coalition. 1. Ralph Poole 2. John Kennedy 3. Lena Kennedy 4. Jimmy Morris 5. Danny Bakewell Jr. 6. Brother JC 7. Rafael Henderson 8. Roy Hayes 9. Joe Hopkins 10.Martin Gordon 11.Atty John Williams (Tina Williams husband) 12.Georgia Holloway Just to mention a few of the players.

Posted by: dave | August 22, 2007 8:45 PM

We need term limits for the Mayor and the City Council and they should be demanded. If we need to vote them into law then put it on the ballot.

Posted by: Anonymous | August 22, 2007 8:50 PM

Excellent, now if they get into any trouble we'll know why. Or, do we already know why?

Posted by: Miss Havisham | August 22, 2007 9:27 PM

It's Raphael, not Rafael: http://www.raphaelhendersonforcitycouncil.org/ And if I ever make a movie about the 2007 election, he'll be played by Alfonso Ribeiro. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfonso_Ribeiro

Posted by: Aaron Proctor | August 22, 2007 9:35 PM

So if Raphael is in this group responsible for the flyers, is he a traitor because of this photo: http://www.raphaelhendersonforcitycouncil.org/images2/rh_mayor_bogaard.jpg

Posted by: Aaron Proctor | August 22, 2007 9:38 PM

I like Raphael. I was very impressed with him at Public Comment.

Posted by: Miss Havisham | August 22, 2007 9:40 PM

I very highly doubt that Rafael has anything to do with this flyer.

Posted by: Anonymous | August 22, 2007 9:41 PM

Who then? Who do you think is veddy dramatic and a virtual showman, that really knows how to capture attention? Hmm. Out of that list.... who has that tendency?

Posted by: Miss Havisham | August 22, 2007 9:44 PM

I honestly don't think Raphael had anything to do with that flyer, either. Nice guy, really smart, not my pick for candidate in the District 1 primary but..cool for cats, regardless. Maybe it was Martin Truitt? LOL.

Posted by: Aaron Proctor | August 22, 2007 9:50 PM

I don't think that is so far off the mark, Aaron. Heh!

Posted by: Miss Havisham | August 22, 2007 9:54 PM

Rafael Henderson didn't do the flyer but he is in the group. The flyer was said to be put together by John Kennedy (Lena Kennedy's brother and Rafael Henderson's campaign mgr.) and Jimmy Morris. Look at Jimmy Morris for your virtual showman. Rafael Henderson's biggest problem was his mouth. He was more interested in talking about himself than what he wanted to do. At least Robinson was born in the district and Salzer had a plan for the neighborhoods. Henderson was too smart for his own good. It got tired fast.

Posted by: dave | August 22, 2007 9:59 PM

He's not that sloppy. The man lives in the details, as envinced in his analyzation of Percy Clark's article (PW)

Posted by: Miss Havisham | August 22, 2007 10:10 PM

(I was referring to Martin Truitt)

Posted by: Miss Havisham | August 22, 2007 10:23 PM

Joe Hopkins keeps photos of lynchings on his office walls and he shows them to visitors.

Posted by: Martin Truitt | August 22, 2007 10:28 PM

the photo was cropped from this pic http://home.earthlink.net/~fbut/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/lynching.jpg I will credit Aaron $50 from my paypal account if he shows up at Hopkins office and looks to see if the pic is on the wall.

Posted by: Martin Truitt | August 22, 2007 10:33 PM

and Diane...don't toss around the devil's name just because you make tasty and photogenic deviled eggs. And here I thought you were a Rose without a thorn...its so unlike you.

Posted by: Martin Truitt | August 22, 2007 10:45 PM

I had such great expectations for you.

Posted by: Martin Truitt | August 22, 2007 10:51 PM

Dude, I was joking..calm down :-) But I'll go to Hopkins office if you want to give me $50 :-)

Posted by: Aaron Proctor | August 22, 2007 10:57 PM

hey i am also joking...but I am serious about the Hopkins photos and the $50. I think you are going to have to get inside his inner sanctum which is on the left as you walk in.

Posted by: Martin Truitt | August 22, 2007 11:01 PM

and the bounty is doubled if the pic is there and you get a pic of yourself posing with Hopkins with the pic in the background

Posted by: Martin Truitt | August 22, 2007 11:28 PM

Whoever created this poster is a moron, and as far as the people listed as black leaders above I just about fell over laughing. The last black person I saw really take it to the streets in this town was Michael Zinzun. And Martin does that bounty hold for me?

Posted by: Dre' (Mr. Thursday Morning) | August 23, 2007 6:58 AM

The smoking gun stops at Jimmy Morris, a wanna-be Danny Bakewell. He is a small local developer. BTW, it's sad that the community is divided by the likes of a racist such as Joe Hopkins. Really sad. The divide he creates, the character assassinations he prints, the venom he spews is counter-productive to improving the state of the city for everyone.

Posted by: Anonymous | August 23, 2007 9:08 AM

Yet the City of Pasadena supports Hopkins with advertising dollars. Why should the City continue to financially support this type of spew?

Posted by: Anonymous | August 23, 2007 11:01 AM

The city should immediately suspend ALL business with the Pasadena Journal.

Posted by: Anonymous | August 23, 2007 11:08 AM

Government cannot suspend business with the press based upon content, nor condition business based on content. Remember the 1st amendment.

Posted by: Anonymous | August 23, 2007 11:15 AM

no one is stopping him from writing it - but the City of Pasadena doesn't have to help him pay for it...

Posted by: Anonymous | August 23, 2007 1:41 PM

A rose by any other name would smell as sweet, even with a few hundred thorns.

Posted by: Miss Havisham | August 24, 2007 12:09 AM

Aaron, before you slander someone's name by listing them as a member of the Pasadena-Altadena Coalition you should check your facts. I am not, nor have I ever been a member of the Pasadena-Altadena Black Coalition. I find both your misinformation about me and the flier exceptionally offensive.

Posted by: John Williams | August 24, 2007 11:13 PM

John: You are misreading that entry. Aaron Proctor didnt post that info, someone named "Dave" did. Aaron posted the info about Sid Tyler immediately before it. The name of the Author is at the bottom of the post after the underline, not at the top. Look at your own post for an example.

Posted by: Martin Truitt | August 24, 2007 11:22 PM

Sid Tyler once ate three 72 ounce steaks in an hour. He spent the first 45 minutes banging the waitress.

Posted by: Aaron Proctor | August 25, 2007 4:59 AM

My apologies to Aaron. "Dave" please get your facts straight before you post misinformation about me.

Posted by: John Williams | August 25, 2007 9:15 AM

Apology accepted.

Posted by: Aaron Proctor | August 25, 2007 11:28 AM

The flyer is even more offensive than the mystery millions that the City of Pasadena was expected to "come up with".

Posted by: rfg-r | August 25, 2007 10:06 PM

From now on let all development take place at market rate, problem solved.

Posted by: Anonymous | August 25, 2007 10:07 PM

And this year's Raspberry Flyer Award goes to: (que drumroll) Jim Morris Jimmy (0) Irony (10)

Posted by: Miss Havisham | August 27, 2007 2:35 PM

http://www.pasadenaweekly.com/article.php?id=3204&IssueNum=11

Posted by: Miss Havisham | August 27, 2007 2:38 PM

Way to make everybody look bad, Jimmy.

Posted by: Miss Havisham | August 27, 2007 2:39 PM

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