White Yassky barred from Black Debate (11th CD)

[brooklynite]

The only white candidate for an open congressional seat in a predominantly black Brooklyn district was barred from a candidate forum held by a coalition of black churches last weekend.

The decision to block City Councilman David Yassky (D-Brooklyn Heights) from the March 11 event — which drew about 30 people — was part of an effort by Churches United for Worldwide Action to censure that a black person is elected to replace retiring Rep. Major Owens.

The 11th Congressional District “was carved out for a minority representation,” said the group’s leader, Rev. Jacob Underwood.

...snip...

None of the candidates voiced an objection to Yassky’s absence

http://brooklynpapers.com/html/issues/_vol29/29_11/29_11bp.pdf
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If we want to be able to criticize Republicans for using conservative southern churches to deliver votes, we have to play by the same rules. There's no reason (and certainly not one based on race) to deny access to an election forum for any legitimate candidate.