Today I attended a Women of Faith Reception organized by Rev. Cheryl Anthony for Congressman Ed Towns. After the reception, there was a press conference on the steps of Brooklyn Borough Hall with women who are endorsing Towns for re-election.
At the end of the reception, a woman said ‘They do not do anything for us.’ I asked her who ‘they’ were and what she wanted. As she was attempting to explain, another woman said ‘There is too much violence. Blacks are killing each other, especially the men.’ I asked this woman if she thought crime is an issue for Black women. She said, ‘Yes.’ I asked her ‘When Black leadership says politicians should address Black issues in order to get the Black vote, does that list of Black issues include crime?’ Before the woman could answer, Karen Cherry, one of Towns staff members barged into the conversation with a loud voice saying, among other things, ‘This is not going to happen here.’ Confused, I asked her what she was talking about. Cherry, continued to talk incoherently, in a loud voice, and became belligerent. I am a big woman, but Cherry is 3 times my size. So I walked away, saying to her, ‘Mam, I am walking away because I have home training and you are rude.” A good 30 people witnessed Cherry's outburst.
The woman who invited me to the event, Rickie Dillon, had never seen anyone address me in the manner Cherry had. She asked me if I was all right and was so concerned she wanted to stay with me. I told her I am all right, it is not my stuff; I am not responsible for Cherry's spiritual condition.
I called my editor and just vented.
Anyway, after the press conference, I had a chance to speak with Towns. After telling him of the prompt, professional service one of his staff members had provided for me on another occasion, I stepped to his side and whispered my concerns about the behavior of Cherry. Towns said that as a man of God, he did not approve of such behavior. He assured me he would speak to Cherry. I thanked him and said I only told him because he might want to know the behavior of a member of his staff, as it might reflect badly on him. I told him I am not into writing gossip, and that I considered the matter closed.
I then told the congressman that people are calling the paper asking for more information regarding the campaigns; that I am seeking to write about the records/ positions of each candidate and their vision for the future. I gently suggested a candidate debate might help. Towns offered to provide me with his legislative history and said over 26 years he brought a billion dollars to the district. I asked for a list of his earmarks. He assured me he would provide both. I gave him my card, and at the same time someone named Taquana asked for my card, saying she was with Towns' campaign.
I shook hands with Towns, we hugged, and cordially ended the conversation.
About an hour later, I called David, my editor, to give him an update. David said someone from Towns office, a Taquana, called to tell him how disrespectfully I had behaved. I reminded David of our earlier conversation when I told him about Cherry's behavior. We both laughed it off, because David, and anyone else who knows me, knows I do not go around creating scenes or causing trouble. For me, the incident was over- until Taquana called the paper.
Message to Taquana:
1. You, Taquana, a no-name campaign groupie, have no authority. You cannot get me fired from Our Time Press. I am not an employee.
2. I will not allow you Taquana, Karen Cherry, or anyone else to tarnish my professional or personal reputation.
3. Taquana, here's a word of advice- try minding your own business. If you don't have any business, get some.
Usually I do not get involved in minutia. But Taquana, as a member of Towns campaign, stepped over the line.
The 10th congressional race is too important to be reduced to such nonsense. Hopefully, Towns can reign inhis people.
Ed Towns Might Want to Tame His Staff
Fri, 08/15/2008 - 8:33pm
Today I attended a Women of Faith Reception organized by Rev. Cheryl Anthony for Congressman Ed Towns. After the reception, there was a press conference on the steps of Brooklyn Borough Hall with women who are endorsing Towns for re-election.
At the end of the reception, a woman said ‘They do not do anything for us.’ I asked her who ‘they’ were and what she wanted. As she was attempting to explain, another woman said ‘There is too much violence. Blacks are killing each other, especially the men.’ I asked this woman if she thought crime is an issue for Black women. She said, ‘Yes.’ I asked her ‘When Black leadership says politicians should address Black issues in order to get the Black vote, does that list of Black issues include crime?’ Before the woman could answer, Karen Cherry, one of Towns staff members barged into the conversation with a loud voice saying, among other things, ‘This is not going to happen here.’ Confused, I asked her what she was talking about. Cherry, continued to talk incoherently, in a loud voice, and became belligerent. I am a big woman, but Cherry is 3 times my size. So I walked away, saying to her, ‘Mam, I am walking away because I have home training and you are rude.” A good 30 people witnessed Cherry's outburst.
The woman who invited me to the event, Rickie Dillon, had never seen anyone address me in the manner Cherry had. She asked me if I was all right and was so concerned she wanted to stay with me. I told her I am all right, it is not my stuff; I am not responsible for Cherry's spiritual condition.
I called my editor and just vented.
Anyway, after the press conference, I had a chance to speak with Towns. After telling him of the prompt, professional service one of his staff members had provided for me on another occasion, I stepped to his side and whispered my concerns about the behavior of Cherry. Towns said that as a man of God, he did not approve of such behavior. He assured me he would speak to Cherry. I thanked him and said I only told him because he might want to know the behavior of a member of his staff, as it might reflect badly on him. I told him I am not into writing gossip, and that I considered the matter closed.
I then told the congressman that people are calling the paper asking for more information regarding the campaigns; that I am seeking to write about the records/ positions of each candidate and their vision for the future. I gently suggested a candidate debate might help. Towns offered to provide me with his legislative history and said over 26 years he brought a billion dollars to the district. I asked for a list of his earmarks. He assured me he would provide both. I gave him my card, and at the same time someone named Taquana asked for my card, saying she was with Towns' campaign.
I shook hands with Towns, we hugged, and cordially ended the conversation.
About an hour later, I called David, my editor, to give him an update. David said someone from Towns office, a Taquana, called to tell him how disrespectfully I had behaved. I reminded David of our earlier conversation when I told him about Cherry's behavior. We both laughed it off, because David, and anyone else who knows me, knows I do not go around creating scenes or causing trouble. For me, the incident was over- until Taquana called the paper.
Message to Taquana:
1. You, Taquana, a no-name campaign groupie, have no authority. You cannot get me fired from Our Time Press. I am not an employee.
2. I will not allow you Taquana, Karen Cherry, or anyone else to tarnish my professional or personal reputation.
3. Taquana, here's a word of advice- try minding your own business. If you don't have any business, get some.
Usually I do not get involved in minutia. But Taquana, as a member of Towns campaign, stepped over the line.
The 10th congressional race is too important to be reduced to such nonsense. Hopefully, Towns can reign inhis people.