This guy is quite possibly the most out-of-touch elected official in the U.S. Tamron Hall, host of MSNBC’s NewsNation, interviewed Ferguson, Missouri?Mayor James Knowles?on Monday and the exchange was surreal.
As Tamron asked about the “lack of African-Americans” in the Ferguson?police force, Knowles claimed that they’ve “been looking at ways to hopefully increase the number of African-American applicants” so that the?city “can have a better pipeline” and give people “larger incentives to live here and work here.” He wants people to feel “invested in the community.”
Ha.
Tamron pointed out that Mayor Knowles had previously denied a history of racial tensions in the city of Ferguson, but that out of?5,000+ police stops, 600 people were white and 4,600 were black. She also reminded him that only three of the city’s 54 police officers are black, and asked him?if recent incidents have opened his eyes to?the isolation that many people in his city have felt.
That’s when he dropped this doozy:
“There’s not a racial divide in the city of Ferguson.”
A clearly shocked Tamron asked him: “From whose perspective?” He dropped another bombshell.
“That is the perspective of all residents in our city.”
At that point, Tamron dropped all pretense of treating this guy as if he has a clue and asked “Have you been watching the news?”
“Absolutely!” he exclaimed.
Knowles clarified his comments by pointing out that only a half mile strip of street in the Ferguson community is troubled, but?the rest of the African-Americans in Ferguson?are “going about heir daily lives, going to our businesses, walking their dog, going to our neighborhood watch meetings, and they are concerned for their safety.”
(??????)
He continued:
“As we become more African-American, we’ve focused on the things that unite us, not the things that divide us. ?We have a shared value system here in the city of Ferguson, both white and African-American. That’s what we’ve built this community around.”
Sir, I daresay that as you become “more African-American,” you will be without a job. And it needs to happen quickly.
BUT….he claims that 95 percent of the community are “widely supportive” of what he’s been doing and that “most African-Americans are happy in Ferguson.”
Tamron was totally done with this dude and she said “With all due respect, I would have to say that you should watch some of the coverage.”
His response was to suggest that many of the protesters are?lying about living in Ferguson. He said that St. Louis has a history of segregation but not Ferguson.
“The city of Ferguson has been a model for the region about how we transition from a community that is predominantly white middle-class to a community that is predominantly African-American middle-class.”
In closing, Tamron asked him about the hugely publicized and widely attended memorial service for Michael Brown that was held Sunday at a local church. He’seemed unaware?that the memorial service had taken place, but said that he’s aware of the church.
Watch this crazy in the video below. Be prepared to be mind-blown. Let us know your thoughts at the Liberal America Facebook page. Sign up for our free daily newsletter to receive more great stories like this one.
Tiffany Willis is the founder and editor-in-chief of Liberal America. An unapologetic member of the Christian Left, she has spent most of her career actively working with ?the least of these? and disadvantaged and oppressed populations. She’s passionate about their struggles. To stay on top of topics she discusses,?like her?Facebook page,?follow her on Twitter, or?connect with her via LinkedIn. She also has?a?grossly neglected personal blog?and a?literary quotes blog that is a labor of love. Find her somewhere and join the discussion.
