Someone just brought to my attention an article published in a different weekly newspaper, one that has an established track record of misleading the Afro-American community by diluting-splitting our votes and pitting Afro-American candidates against each other. More on this later
On June 21, 2007 that paper devoted almost half of a by-line column to falsely attacking Councilman Steve Fulop. Most ludicrous was the fact that the false and malicious article was written under the caption, "You can't make this stuff up". The fact is, most of the attack was actually made up or fabricated by the by-line writer. The attack alleged, "After he (Councilman Fulop) lost the school board election he endorsed Lou Manzo for mayor." Totally false. According to this writer's knowledge and according to Councilman Fulop, Councilman Fulop never ran for election to any school board. Also, the attack falsely states, "He (Councilman Fulop) has continued to campaign against the best interest of the Afro-American community, the last time speaking against the campaign of an Afro-American woman (Sandra Cunningham) who happened to win." Another total fabrication. According to the knowledge of this writer and according to Councilman Fulop, he has never campaigned against or spoken out publicly or privately against Mrs. Cunningham. The article continued, "Where is Fulop going? He'll be lucky to win a council seat again if he's not on the right ticket. Otherwise, he's finished." If, in fact, Councilman Fulop is so unelectable and if, in fact, he is finished, logic would seem to dictate that he is already politically dead; therefore, why waste half of your column attacking a man that is already politically dead?
As stated earlier, that newspaper has an established track record of diluting-splitting the Afro-American vote. Example: In the mayor's race of 2004, that newspaper entered and supported Willie Flood for mayor, knowing as everyone else did, that Willie Flood did not stand a ghost of a chance of defeating either of the other well-financed candidates. Willie Flood was entered and supported by the powerbrokers of that paper for the sole purpose of pulling votes away from L. Harvey Smith. That nefarious tactic worked, and on election night, according to published reports, Willie Flood and her powerbrokers were among the first to arrive at Mayor Healy's victory celebration party to claim their rewards.
The question is why all the fabrication against Councilman Fulop? The answer is crystal clear. That paper and its owners are running scared of Councilman Fulop's future potential. They are aware of the fragile disarray of the Hudson County Democratic Organization. The powerbrokers behind that paper know beyond a shadow of a doubt that they would not be able to "bargain" and make "backroom deals" with Councilman Fulop. They know that if Councilman Fulop decides to run for mayor he will be running on a platform that promises "change" from the status quo and an end to "backroom political dealing" which has been their bread and butter. They are attempting to discredit Councilman Fulop before the campaign begins. I believe these nefarious tactics will continue which is why they will be exposed whenever they occur.
As a member of the Afro-American community, I am sick and tired of watching that newspaper manipulate, mislead and divide our community. To offset the negativity of that paper, I strongly suggest that for more accurate political viewpoints, members of our community should stay attuned to Ricardo Kaulessar of the Jersey City Reporter and Agustin Torres of the Jersey Journal, both of whom have keen political savvy.
Amanah Sakinah
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