Though Pratt lost race, community discovers power of the vote

A caller to the Community Journal’s offices asked us if we knew who won the election Tuesday between Marvin Pratt and Tom Barrett.

The reporter who took the person’s call thought the question unusual, given the fact it was the day after the election. But he answered the question, saying Barrett had won.

"No, the Black community won!" the caller said.

It then dawned on the reporter and the rest of the Community Journal staff that despite Pratt’s defeat, in a way, the community did win on April 6.

How, you ask? The Black community won because the community came out to VOTE. They came out in overwhelming numbers because they believed they could make history by electing the first African American mayor.

Black voters, many voting for the first time, realized a Pratt victory would have opened new doors of opportunity in the city in the way of jobs, construction and vending contracts and governmental positions that would help turn around our condition.

The caller so said the Pratt campaign sparked the political consciousness of people who before were apathetic toward politics; who were unaware (or simply didn’t care) that their one simple act at the polls can change a myriad of things related to crime, the direction of education reform, jobs and economic development and basic city services.

Hopefully, our community realizes that, like those who ignited the recall elections of county supervisors because of the pension scandal, that they can move political mountains and change their lives and the lives of others, whether it be on 35th and Locust or on Wisconsin Avenue.

Black Milwaukee must keep this momentum going.

We must harness and cultivate this new realization of political clout so that when the next opportunity comes to elect an African American mayor—or elect anyone for that matter seeking office—they will take us seriously and act on our demands and needs.

The caller had the key. We finally realized what the key was. The question is, does the community realize they hold that key?