posted on January 17, 2006 01:59:13 PM new
New Orleans Mayor Apologizes for Remark
Jan 17 4:40 PM US/Eastern
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By BRETT MARTEL
Associated Press Writer
NEW ORLEANS
Mayor Ray Nagin apologized Tuesday for a Martin Luther King Day speech in which he predicted that New Orleans would be a "chocolate" city once more and asserted that "God was mad at America."
"I said some things that were totally inappropriate. ... It shouldn't have happened," Nagin said, explaining he was caught up in the moment as he spoke to mostly black spectators, many of them fearful of being shut out of the city's rebuilding.
During the speech Monday, Nagin, who is black, said that the hurricanes that hit the nation in quick succession were a sign of God's anger toward the United States and toward black communities, too, for their violence and infighting. He also said New Orleans has to be a mostly black city again because "it's the way God wants it to be."
On Tuesday, Nagin said his comments about God were inappropriate and stemmed from a private conversation he had with a minister earlier. "I need to be more sensitive and more aware of what I'm saying," he said.
The mayor said his speech was really meant to convey that blacks were a vital part of New Orleans' history and culture and should be encouraged to return. "I want everyone to be welcome in New Orleans _ black, white, Asian, everybody," he said.
Nagin said the other main point he had hoped to make Monday was that when blacks do return, they must work to stamp out the crime and political infighting that have held them back.
New Orleans was more than 65 percent black before Hurricane Katrina. The storm displaced about three-quarters of the city's population. Most of the estimated 125,000 residents who have been able to return are white.
Nagin, a former cable company executive and political novice, was elected in 2002 with about 90 percent of the white vote, according to polls conducted by Ed Renwick, the director of Loyola University's Institute of Politics.
Nagin received less than half the black vote, Renwick said Tuesday, and the mayor's heaviest criticism since taking office has come from rival political factions in the black community, many of whom have portrayed him as an "Uncle Tom" who caters to the interests of white businessmen.
Nagin has been trying harder to gain the trust of black residents, Renwick said.
"But some of the remarks he made Monday will possibly dampen enthusiasm among some whites," Renwick said. "It seemed to be another Nagin-being-Nagin. He has a penchant for just speaking off the cuff and not thinking it through."
The political analyst added: "He also tends to speak to the literal audience he's with at the time instead of the whole world he reaches through the TV, radio and print media."
posted on January 18, 2006 04:21:38 AM new
He's dead in the water next election. Unless his chocolate constituency dont mind the kitschy affection. This is new orleans; should the rest of the country expect it to be formal and pristine?
He should have just said I was reaching out to the majority of this city in jazz style. He's right about it all of course, and the less fortunate will always suffer the most in wraths wake and shaky degrees. The man shoulda know tho, religion and politics is the twain that shall nev'r do'er meet.
posted on January 18, 2006 04:43:17 AM new
"Mayor Ray Nagin apologized Tuesday for a Martin Luther King Day speech in which he predicted that New Orleans would be a "chocolate" city once more"
I think he would have been better off just settling for Willie Wonka and his chocolate factory.
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posted on January 18, 2006 04:44:17 AM new
LoL Classic,they said on the news this am, somebody is selling tee-shirts to that nature on the internet. Wonder if its Colin??? lol!!!
posted on January 18, 2006 06:38:14 AM new
Nagin should not be in politics any-longer and won't be soon. All the politico's claiming Gods ear and use God's name as threats in speeches are finished.
posted on January 19, 2006 06:29:19 AM new
Colin I said, All the politico's claiming Gods ear and use God's name as threats in speeches are finished.
AGAIN I SAID ALL POLITICOS!!!!!!
Colin is very confused and doesn't understand his place in life caused by mistakes and poor life choices he made. He is so confused and lost in his little hateful world he doesn't even understand what he reads.
posted on January 19, 2006 09:17:57 AM new
Dumb move, whether he was a Democrat or not.
I do think it is funny though that he cites George Clinton/Parliament's 1975 Album "Chocolate City". Nagin is simply bringing the funk. LOL. I'm a huge fan of George Clinton and the Parliament/Funkadelic (aka P Funk Allstars), and found it quite hysterical.
