The female face of City Council

Houston City Council is majority female for the first time in over a decade.

Starting next year, a record nine women will serve on Houston City Council amid a shift toward a younger and more progressive council for Mayor Sylvester Turner’s second term.

The new council will include no more than two Hispanic and no Asian members, however, with Anglo council members holding at least eight seats and the other six represented by African-American members.

It remains unclear whether District I Councilmember Robert Gallegos, the lone Latino on City Council, will be joined by Isabel Longoria, who finished 12 votes behind incumbent Councilmember Karla Cisneros in the District H runoff, according to unofficial returns.

[…]

The nine total women on council edges the previous record of eight who were elected in 2005.

The council’s African-American representation also will expand from four to six.

Fun fact: That Council class of 2005 included Addie Wiseman and Shelley Sekula Gibbs. I don’t really have a point to make here, I’m just noting that because I remember things like that.

In other Council news:

Regardless of who wins the District H runoff, Latino council members will hold no more than two seats out of 16, in a city where Latinos make up 44.5 percent of the population, according to 2018 census data.

Part of that disparity comes from Latinos making up a smaller share of the electorate: Houston’s registered voters are 23 percent Latino, according to data from Hector De Leon, a former communications director for the Harris County Clerk’s Office who studies Houston-area voting patterns.

“African Americans and Anglos are roughly 45 percent of the population combined, but they constitute 85 percent of the total vote. And elections are determined by people who turn out and vote,” [Jay] Aiyer said.

Registration among young, Latino voters has increased “dramatically” in recent years, in part because of President Donald Trump and mobilization efforts by political groups, said Jeronimo Cortina, a political science professor at University of Houston.

Houston’s Latino voting blocs also have fewer options, he said, because of the city’s use of at-large positions, which are elected on citywide basis.

“The problem is that the minority votes are compacted in one part of the city so it makes it very hard for them to win an election,” Cortina said. “They get drowned, for lack of a better word, by the votes of the majority.”

To strengthen Latino representation on council and in other offices, [CM Robert] Gallegos said he intends to pitch the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce on the idea of starting a mentoring program to educate young Hispanics about pursuing careers in politics.

In the meantime, Gallegos said, “I’m going to do everything I can to make sure I represent the Hispanic community in the city of Houston, even though I’m a district council member.”

I take issue with what Professor Cortina says – I’m pretty sure a review of the Census tracts in Houston would prove his statement to be inaccurate. If nothing else, Sandra Rodriguez came close to winning District J, which is on the opposite end of the city from H and I. The situation isn’t great right now, but it’s not hopeless.

Be that as it may, let me put this out there for you: The three top Latinx vote-getters in At Large races were Yolanda Navarro Flores (At Large #1, 18.30% in Harris County), Emily Munoz deToto (At Large #2, 21.09%), and Jose Gonzalez (At Large #3, 19.24%). The three of them combined raised literally no money. There were five Latinx candidates in the two open seat At Large races (Cristel Bastida and Javier Gonzalez in #4, Ralph Garcia, Catherine Garcia Flowers, and Sonia Rivera in #5). None of them raised more than a trivial amount of money, though the three in At Large #5 combined for over 27% of the vote, enough to have led the field if they were one candidate.

My point here is that stronger Latinx candidates in the citywide races would also help. I don’t have much to say about Orlando Sanchez, but he came within six points of being elected Controller, and if there had been a third candidate in that race there likely would have been a runoff between him and incumbent Chris Brown, and who knows what might have happened in that race. The Latinx At Large candidates in 2019 didn’t amount to much, but at least they were running. In 2015, there was a grand total of two Latinx candidates in At Large races: Moe Rivera in #2, and Roy Morales in #4, who squeaked into the runoff where he got crushed by Amanda Edwards. I feel like I’ve been saying this since Joe Trevino lost in the At Large #5 runoff to Jolanda Jones in 2007, an election in which there were 25K total votes cast, but maybe focus a little on recruiting strong Latinx candidates to run in the At Large races, and then support them financially? Just a thought.

This is also a possibility.

This near-absence of Latinos undermines the legitimacy of Houston’s government and leads to an inadequate representation of Latino preferences in city policymaking. Houston’s political, economic and societal leaders must take action immediately to insure that in the 2023 election we do not witness a repeat of the 2019 election.

There are two principal types of representation, descriptive and substantive. Descriptive representation reflects the extent to which the composition of a legislature mirrors the population it represents. With Latinos accounting for 6 percent of the council and for 45percent of the population, it’s clear Houston earns a failing grade in descriptive representation. This grade will sink even lower with the dearth of Asian Americans on the council; 7 percent of Houston residents are Asian American.

Substantive representation reflects the extent to which members of a legislature promote the preferences of their constituents. While not an ironclad rule, the American Politics literature suggests that, all other things being roughly equal, an individual’s policy preferences are better represented by a legislator from their own ethnic or racial group. With one Latino council member, the substantive policy interests of Latino residents are being sub-optimally represented in crucial policy areas ranging from public safety and social services to road construction and job creation.

Four initiatives can help boost the number of Latinos in the council horseshoe in four years time.

First, eliminate the city’s five at-large council seats and replace them with five single-member district seats in addition to the existing 11 single-member district seats. The last time a Latino was elected to one of the five at-large positions was in 1999, with nine consecutive elections (45 separate contests) in a row where no Latino has been victorious. This year, all five at-large races were decided in a runoff, yet among the 10 runoff candidates there were zero Latinos.

Once the 2020 US Census data are available, Mayor Sylvester Turner and the city council could easily abolish the five at-large districts and create 16 new, less populous, single-member districts for the 2023 election. Since the shift from at-large to single-member districts enhances minority voting rights, it should be bullet-proof from legal challenge. If the number of single-member districts were increased to 16, it would be possible to draw five or six districts where Latino registered voters constitute an absolute or near absolute majority as well as one district where Asian Americans account for the largest share of voters.

That’s an op-ed from oft-quoted poli sci prof Mark Jones. I personally see no reason why Latinx candidates can’t get elected to at large positions. It’s not like there have been a bunch of frustrating near misses from well-regarded and sufficiently-funded candidates. We did elect Orlando Sanchez and Gracie Saenz to citywide positions in the past. Jones’ other points include things like more voter registration, a focused effort on Latino turnout in city elections, and more recruitment and support of Latinx candidates. I’m on board with all of that, and I would argue that those things can and will lead to Latinx candidates getting elected citywide. If I’m wrong about that, I’ll gladly concede the point about getting rid of At Large districts. In the meantime, I do think there’s some value in having At Large Council members, as a backup for the districts when there’s an unexpected vacancy, as there was in District H in 2009 following Adrian Garcia’s election as Sheriff, and in District K in 2018 following the death of Larry Green. I’m not opposed to Jones’ proposal, but I don’t think it’s necessary to solve the problem.

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42 Responses to The female face of City Council

  1. Bill Daniels says:

    “This near-absence of Latinos undermines the legitimacy of Houston’s government and leads to an inadequate representation of Latino preferences in city policymaking.”

    What, exactly, do Latino Houstonians care about that every other Houstonian does NOT care about?

    ~3rd world streets

    ~rising crime

    ~trash pickup

    ~illegal dumping

    ~police and fire protection

    ~reliable water and sewer service

    I am at a loss to understand how Latinos are somehow different than every other Houstonian with regards to their interactions with local government. Do they require a special type of asphalt on the street that blacks, Asians and whites don’t want? Are there special hours that only Latinos need at the local library? What, exactly, is not ‘legitimate’ about the city of Houston mayor and city council? People voted, candidates were elected, and for all the gnashing of teeth about the electoral college from liberals, hey, this was straight up democracy in action. Isn’t that what liberals want? What’s the problem here? Liberals have all the power here, so we can’t blame illegitimacy on conservatives, or Trump, or Republicans. We can’t even blame it on evangelicals like Hotze, who, for all his bluster, can’t turn out enough people to win squat in Houston. And yet, things are STILL illegitimate.

    Alrighty, then.

  2. Manny says:

    Welcome back Bill, I had been worrying that something had happened to you. That is the truth now let see what racist bs you wrote.

    Actually you are correct, but why did so many racists vote for Trump, must have been his ability to tell the truth, or maybe him and his family being more corrupt than the Clintons. Why do why racists vote for white racists only.

    But welcome back, Bill.

  3. Manny says:

    Karla Cisneros is not a Latina.

    I really don’t like the Latinx, the gay community came up with that, who in the hell are they them that they became the arbitrators as to what people like me are called.

    https://www.quora.com/How-do-you-pronounce-Latinx

    I could list other sources but then the post will be held up, as the comments are limited to link without going to the moderator.

  4. Manny says:

    “Latinx is an even further evolution that was meant to be inclusive of people who are queer or lesbian or gay or transgender,” said Cadava. “In some cases, it was a rejection of binary gender politics.”

    https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/06/29/latina-latino-latinx-hispanic-what-do-they-mean/1596501001/

    Yo Soy Mestizo

  5. Manny says:

    I am glad that Robert Gallegos has looked in the mirror and realized that he is a Latinx, that wasn’t always the way he viewed his role. His role was to make sure that open gay candidates got elected, so he has stated in the past.

  6. Manny says:

    People in the Heights could start making making sure that in March they vote for a Latino or Latina candidate for State Rep 148, not for their favorite a white liberal by the name of Anna Eastman, assuming that white liberals really mean what they seem to be writing now.

  7. C.L. says:

    Manny, I plan on voting for whoever/whomever/whatever I feel best represents my beliefs, and I certainly wouldn’t vote for a particular candidate just because we share the same shade of skin.

  8. Steve Houston says:

    “…Latino council members will hold no more than two seats out of 16, in a city where Latinos make up 44.5 percent of the population, according to 2018 census data. Part of that disparity comes from Latinos making up a smaller share of the electorate: Houston’s registered voters are 23 percent Latino…”

    Until the population gets registered in greater numbers, and then goes out to vote, expecting to win more council seats seems out of touch. Given less than 20% of registered voters even bother to vote, if this group were to make a concentrated effort to A) boost registration among their own, B) get out and take advantage of their ability to vote, and C) fielded candidates that weren’t all about identity politics, they would be more successful. You can change the at-large system all you want but unless the districts are gerrymandered to exclude the other groups, the results will likely be the same.

    Manny constantly reminds us all that many with Latino/a surnames are not good enough for him to qualify as such but he also claims that the population has some very real differences/needs, this latter contention being the basis for more representation. Many think their group needs representation by one of their own even though Bill’s laundry list of important issues covers all groups, some differ in what or how they want things done.

    But even the disgraced Professor Aiyer who was caught up in that tampering with government documents case awhile back rightly points out that the groups most likely to win council seats are those with the number of registered voters who go out and vote. So if racial identity politics is so important to them, let them fix their own problem before we bother changing the system to suit them.

  9. Mainstream says:

    Lionel Castillo and Sylvia Garcia are other Latino candidates who have won in Houston citywide.

  10. DRH says:

    Stronger LatinX candidates ? So you’re saying Anthony Dolcefino and Eric Dick are strong candidates? Both made runoff and were within four points of winning.

  11. Jules says:

    Steve, it doesn’t mean you aren’t “good enough” if you’re not a Latina, it just means that you aren’t a Latina. The article seems to think Karla isn’t Latina either.

  12. Manny says:

    C.L. I have no idea what you would do because no one but you knows who you are why not use your real name so it can be verified.

    As to voting based on skin color only you came up with skin color, Orlando Sanchez is white with blue eyes, and is considered Latino.

    You never seem to notice that I have been supporting Elizabeth Warren, even though there was a Castro running.

    I am supporting Hegar even though there are 3 other Hispanics running, already sent her some money.

    Skin color has nothing to do with it, it just seems that you people, like you C.L. can’t ever seem to find that brown skinned people may be just as smart or smarter or maybe would be better at the job they are running for. That is plain old racism and you C.L. fall right in that category most of the time.

    Karla is not Hispanic just like Cynthia Canales Gorczynski is not Polish, she was appointed to District H some time ago.

  13. Manny says:

    Steve you are right and I agree with you, that Latinos have to do their part to fix their own problems, but when Blacks and Browns were not admitted into places because of their skin colors, wonder why it took an act of government to force people to allow them into public places. Why did the US Army have to escort students into school for integration.

    When big business support only certain candidates, even the HCC I race why did Dave Wilson come as close as he did? 54.5 to 45.5? That district was drawn for a Latino or Latina, but Zeph Capo represented it, the Latina that won that district was heavily supported by the GHP, but for their backing she would not have won. Sanders and Warren are right about money corrupting. By the way Capo also had ten of thousands dollars given to him by the GHP.

    Yes Steve they do have particular problems that are unique to many in the group, I am probably more American then most of you. I believe that if I can’t have it neither should anyone else, that is the real American.

  14. Bill Daniels says:

    Manny: ” I am probably more American then most of you.”

    Also Manny: “Yo Soy Mestizo”

    So which is it, Manny? Are you a loyal American, or are you a Mexican supremacist, La Raza Unida, reconquista sleeper agent here only to retake the American Southwest for Mexico? You really can’t be both. You might have citizenship, but that doesn’t make you a loyal, or proud American citizen.
    Nidal Hasan, the Ft. Hood shooter has citizenship, but he certainly isn’t a loyal American, is he?

    And hey, I notice you didn’t answer my questions to expound on your problems that are unique to Hispanics. Do your people need a certain type of asphalt on the streets? Certain hours at the library? Do y’all have different standards for city water and sewer than other Houstonians do? Do you require different kinds of police cars and fire trucks? What is it that Latinos need that they aren’t getting without Latino council members and a latino mayor?

    Sly can’t pick up your trash correctly because he’s black? Seems pretty racist of you, Manny.

    And this is my favorite Mannyism: “You never seem to notice that I have been supporting Elizabeth Warren, even though there was a Castro running.”

    So you’re supporting the American Indian over the Mexican. Hardly a surprise considering ‘yo soy mestizo.’ You apparently identify more with your indigenous side than you do with the Spanish who intermarried with them. Castro’s a little too European for your taste, huh, Manny?

    @C.L.: Look, if you do NOT vote for the Hispanic candidate, you’re a racist. Pretty open and shut. ‘Best represents my beliefs’ is just a dog whistle for white supremacy, bigotry, and racism.

  15. Jules says:

    Shut up Bill

  16. Manny says:

    Mestizo just means that I have some Native American DNA, Quite a bid of European DNA, and very small African DNA, has nothing to do with country or ethnicity. About 64% European DNA but pure Mestizo American blood. Never even like to call myself Mexican-American, just American.

    No Bill, your small mind just thinks small, most are recent immigrants and have a culture from which they come that is different. Most also came for very poor backgrounds with very little education. People think about living from day to day, not planning for retirement or what is best for their children. I doubt they even bother to report pot holes or water main breaks.

    You are really stupid Bill, and I take it back, I am glad you are fine, but go back beneath that rock you crawl out from.

    Warren never said she Native American, how stupid are you Bill. Indians come from India. Columbus just thought he was in Asia, at that time they called Asians Indians.

    As to Castro, I will consider anyone that I think can send that racist piece of manure out of the white house that the Russians got for him. Maybe the orange cheeto can crawl under that rock you live in. Castro can’t win, too many racists like you that would never vote for him.

    Raza Unida was a Party in Texas, white and black people were welcomed, unlike the Republican Party that wants only white racists.

  17. C.L. says:

    @Jules…

    X2.

    Manny, your presumptions about me have eclipsed your prior presumptions about me…and I didn’t think that was possible. Re: “Skin color has nothing to do with it, it just seems that you people, like you C.L. can’t ever seem to find that brown skinned people may be just as smart or smarter or maybe would be better at the job they are running for. That is plain old racism and you C.L. fall right in that category most of the time.” I think I snorted out loud when I read that one.

  18. Manny says:

    C.L. while you hide one can make assumptions based on your writings, you write too often like a racist.

    Let us know who you are and I may change what I think of you.

    When asked if you would support Adrian Garcia, you said no, I said why, you said you didn’t like his hair.

    When asked why you could not support Hidalgo you refused to answer, guess you had no reason, what am I to think?

    When you act like a racist expect that some people will consider you as such.

  19. C.L. says:

    Manny, you asking me my ‘real name’ in order to verify my bona fides is almost as comical as Jason Hochman complaining about Sylvester Turner not complying with his request to provide him a copy of Sly’s tax returns.

    I supported Hidalgo, BTW, and still am not a fan of Garcia’s coiffe.

  20. Manny says:

    No it is not C.L. because as long as you hide behind a curtain you can engage in all kinds of alternative realities, lies as it is commonly called. One could check to see what primary you vote in, or if you even vote in primaries.

    I agree with Jason that the Mayor of Houston should make their tax returns available, Annise Parker had no problem releasing her tax returns, one could find out if maybe a politician in enriching themselves while in office.

    http://www.texaswatchdog.org/2009/11/houston-mayoral-candidate-annise-parker-releases-tax-returns-for-self-partner-to-texas-watchdog/

    So the only thing comical is that only you of us three hides behind a curtain and refuses to state who he or she really is. So C.L. why do you hide?

  21. Steve Houston says:

    Manny, while I appreciate you affirming that I was correct in my beliefs, it’s important to note that a great many people from all walks of life have a tendency to vote for someone they identify with; be that based on their color, their political affiliations, their stances on one or more topics, etc. So why is it “racist” if some white guy does it but not racist if a black guy does it or a Latino, or Asian? Granted, it is dumb to assume someone shares your values and would vote in a manner you’d agree with just because they were a particular race, gender, or tied to some group but most experts are convinced it is commonplace.

    As far as your question regarding why were the troops needed, the answer is historically easy to answer. Groups of people have always sought to protect themselves from change, especially if it meant a perception they were having their power “stolen” in some way. Politicians all too often pander to those expectations of the groups they serve too, isn’t that why so many people want more of their own in places of power-to protect their interests such as the topic of this entire thread?

    CL, the whole “who are you” sentiment expressed by some here seems off base to me too. It’s not like knowing the answer will allow them to see which people you voted for in an election nor will it answer many underlying questions they might have but they return to that whenever they get frustrated because they also can’t dig up any potential dirt. Rather than worry who the person is, why can’t such people focus on the arguments the person makes? It really doesn’t shed much light on a comment to know a person is a retired parking magistrate or if another is a low end grant writer with delusions of adequacy, at least to me.

  22. Steve Houston says:

    Manny, how many politicians have not been enriched by their time in elected office? Seriously, the thought that tax returns must prove anything of substance is pretty naive. As a group, by the time they leave office, they seem to be much better off financially in almost every case, and often in ways that a tax return would never show.

  23. Manny says:

    Steve so it had nothing to do with racism, the troops being needed, I see and what other great words of wisdom do you have.

    Integrating schools is taking power, integrating public places is taking power, integrating work places is taking power, making jobs based on qualifications rather than race is taking power away.

    I remember most of your comments regarding police Steve, I consider you a racist also.

    Not all politicians come out rich, in fact many of them don’t. But because it may be common among some politicians does not make it right.

    But I love how you and people like you twist things around to make an argument. Yes people like to vote for people that look like them, but I think I used Republicans and racists in a sentence. Most people that call themselves Republicans this days are racist. I am sure that there are exceptions. Republican is not an ethnicity or a race, but it is almost exclusively white. I see you again refer to a position I once held, but you like C.L. use a name that is not you, right Steve Houston.

    So Steve Houston why not tell us who you really are? I would love to know why you hide Steve? It is easy to throw out arguments behind fake names.

    Still mad that much better qualified minorities have been promoted before you when you can’t make a high enough score. Is that why you hate minorities so much Steve. Must be tough to blame others for your short comings.

  24. Manny says:

    Oh Steve my name is Manuel Barrera, you don’t have to beat around the bush, I don’t hide like you do. Manny is a nickname given to me by Rob Todd, I actually prefer Memé, but too many people think it is meme, which became popular a few years back.

    So Steve why not tell who you really are?

    Oh Steve, I was also a magistrate when the red lights were on. So I guess I was red light magistrate in your mind? The term used by the City is Hearing Officer, which is similar to an administrative judge. My CLE classes certificates when I attended have Judge Barrera on them. Must be tough for people like you Steve to think that a brown skinned person from a very poor neighborhood could get accepted to the University of Houston law school and pass the Bar exam. What have you done Steve?

  25. Manny says:

    Want to know how tough the neighborhood I come from was in the 50s and 60s, spend a couple of hours reading about it. I think three papers have been written about it. Nearly 600 persons from there that have served this country. I didn’t but by dad and brother did.

    https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/ae5e/a653b5446539d350835ed1a95d85017c442d.pdf

  26. Manny says:

    Steve you know that the argument about tax returns is pretty stupid on your part, but that was not our intent. Your intent was to defend C.L. when he was making fun of Jason.

    I guess you still love Trump and that is why you think that releasing tax returns proves nothing.

  27. Manny says:

    not your intent

  28. Steve Houston says:

    Manny: “I remember most of your comments regarding police Steve, I consider you a racist also.”
    From your comments on this website, that doesn’t put me in a very small group, your willingness to play the race card here is well known. Once again though, I have never personally lost a promotion to someone based on their race but I am familiar with people that have just as I was made familiar with people that were given less consideration for job openings because of their color. Had I been in the job market 70 years ago, I probably would have been familiar with people given more consideration because of their color as well, only in that case it would probably have been because they were white.

    The perpetual chip on your shoulder over race is a given to any of the regulars here, you cling to it like a safety blanket when all else fails just as you project that anyone here really cares about race to the degree you do. Your other fallback is to accuse those who disagree with you of being Trump lovers, a position that is as laughable as your self importance. Good for you getting a degree and achieving a position in government though, the success of others doesn’t harm me in the slightest any more than your lack of military service offends me-you did what you thought best.

    And I’m glad you agree with me that people tend to vote for those who look like them but I ALSO pointed out that people tend to vote based on the groups they are part of regardless of race. I can’t specifically speak for all republicans anymore than you can but they do not seem to be the only political group with some racists as others have pointed out here in the past.

    But my observation that those who get elected often seem to enrich themselves never included a peep about them becoming “rich” as you try to push your agenda again. Some do but many more end up very comfortable with the corporate friendships they develop, the favoritism they show being rewarded all too often or the expertise they develop translating nicely for that eventual corner office, corporate board seat, or under the table boost they obtain that never shows up in the tax returns. How many county commissioner’s have been found to engage in pay to play antics, not just guys like Eckels or Eversole either. So if you want all politicians to release tax returns, go ahead and use your meager influence to change the law to require it on all levels. It won’t impact most of them much just as campaign laws haven’t had the impact they were supposed to, sorry if that upsets your apple cart.

  29. Manny says:

    Sure Steve you change your story, you are so upset that other people lost promotions, not you. Tell me who you really are and I or others can determine that. Steve you wrote they you supported and or voted for Trump.

    Why change the narrative Steve, I remember you griping about promotions and people of color not being as qualified and getting the promotions.

    Must be pretty depressing for you Steve that you could not where you wanted so you blame race or ethnicity, for your failure to succeed.

    Perpetual chip because I don’t let people like you say what ever you want. But even if there was a chip on the shoulder, it is still better than blaming others for your own failures like you do, “Steve Houston”.

    So why not lift that curtain Steve and tell us who you really are so we can ascertain your veracity.

  30. Manny says:

    Must be pretty depressing for you Steve that you could not advance to where you wanted, so you blame race or ethnicity, for your failure to succeed.

    So how large is that group that I have called racist Steve, name them individually. Let us see how large it is? If my calling the Republicans racists, that does not count, just like Trump saying Mexico is not sending their best, they are sending drug dealers, they sending rapists, …. Oh that is the man you voted for Steve. Or maybe it was grab them by the pussy that attracted you to Trump, maybe him making fun of disabled persons, which of his great qualities attracted you to Trump, Steve?

  31. Manny says:

    By the way “Steve Houston” a year ago, I called you a stalker, you are still at it. I would not be surprised that you have accessed city data to obtain information.

    Does it bother you “Steve Houston” to have some brown skin person disagree with you?

  32. Manny says:

    You “Steve Houston” are the only person, ever, I have called a stalker you belong to a one person group.

    Maybe one of my brothers got promoted over you and that is what triggers you. Sorry but I come from a family of very intelligent persons, one of us went to Oxford on a scholarship, as well as a scholarship to Princeton. Or maybe you wanted to be a parking magistrate but could not get accepted to law school or maybe you did get in and could not pass the bar exam. What is it that makes you want to stalk me Steve?

  33. Steve Houston says:

    Manny, if you are trying to outdo yourself in unsupported accusations, you are failing. And your need to make all sorts of claims about what members of your family have done while you sat on the sidelines does tend to make me think you feel guilty about it. Your personal attacks do nothing to further the discussion but as a taxpayer, my expectation that taxes be spent hiring the most qualified people is shared by many. I don’t give a rat’s behind what color, gender, or race a person is. I know you hate to hear that because it deflates your perpetually offended sensibilities but it’s also true that a lot of people from varied backgrounds don’t care for Trump. I’d think with all your self-professed legal prowess, you’d understand what stalking is but you haven’t exactly been a barnstormer in the legal community so perhaps I should set my opinion of you accordingly.

    Back to the original topic, I have not seen much evidence that any aspect of identity politics makes much sense. Some women have been better than some men, some men have been better than some women, some blacks were better than some Latinos, and so forth ad infinitum. Many residents of the city remain unregistered and of those who bother registering, look how few go vote. Given how poorly campaign promises are kept by most candidates, is it really a surprise that so few vote?

  34. Jules says:

    Steve, are you saying it’s been 70 years since white people benefited from discrimination? Why did they even pass the Civil Rights Act in 1964? White people still benefit from being white.

  35. Steve Houston says:

    Jules, I am not saying that at all. I picked a time before 1964 on purpose so you seem to have picked up on it, just drew a wrong conclusion. As far as your assertion that “whites still benefit from being white”, any such benefits are less obvious than they were and are balanced against quotas, set asides, and preferential hiring practices such as the city was proven to engage in for decades. My contention remains that race alone is a poor factor to base hiring on, no matter how much cranks like Manny try and twist it.

  36. C.L. says:

    Manny Barrera and Bill Daniels may be one in the same, kind of like James McAvoy in ‘Split’.

  37. Jules says:

    So you are blaming me for your rambling incoherence?

  38. Steve Houston says:

    Jules, I didn’t blame you for anything nor did I take exception to your inability to keep up. I still maintain that racial preference for hiring in either direction makes no sense.

  39. Jules says:

    That would be nice but isn’t reality now or for the past 70 years.

  40. Steve Houston says:

    Jules, don’t you believe that things are generally better now than they were back then? Don’t you think it makes more sense to hire in a race neutral fashion, especially for government work directly supported by taxpayers?

  41. Bill Daniels says:

    Wow, I leave for a little bit and come back to this meltdown. Look, y’all, why not get back to what unifies us? Why aren’t we talking about the Kurds, who are being slaughtered right now? The Kurds are almost extinct at this point, with thousands being slaughtered every day since Trump pulled out of the Syrian/Turkish border. Remember when we all cared deeply about the Kurds? What happened?

    Kurds are dying and you’re all caught up with identity politics. Alternatively, we could discuss why China is lowering tariffs on US goods next month, and why that’s bad for the US.

  42. Jules says:

    Shut up Bill.

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