Editorial: Dowdell should explain how blacks are underserved

By: Editorial | Opelika Auburn News
Published: May 21, 2009

Before Auburn Ward 1 Councilman Rev. Arthur L. Dowdell argues the case for more black representation on the council, he should first explain how blacks are underserved by the city.
“We got taxation without representation,” Dowdell said Tuesday night at the council meeting.

Currently, the Auburn City Council has eight seats, with Dowdell being the only black member. Dowdell asked the city to explore the idea of shrinking the council, but adding a minority after the 2010 U.S. Census results are released.

That would require, of course, that one current elected council member give up his or her seat. It would then require some incredibly geographically challenged gerrymandering to help ensure another predominately black ward. And, then, of course, there would be no guarantee that a black would be elected if someone of another race chose to run for that seat.

According to the 2007 U.S. Census estimates, Auburn’s population was 54,348 with 78 percent white and 16 percent black. Dowdell charged that the student population at Auburn University, largely white, skews the numbers.

But there is no real way to know if the students are adequately being counted. Are they registered as residents of Auburn, or are they registered as residents of their respective hometowns?

Regardless, this is making a black-white issue when there shouldn’t be one. How about a gender issue? Sheila Eckman, Ward 2, is the only female on the council. What about women? Shouldn’t they have more of a voice in city matters than from one member of the council?

“ … if you go by that rationale, then there ought to be four women on this city council,” Mayor Pro-Tem Dick Phelan told Dowdell at Tuesday’s meeting.

There were no signs of racial strife in Auburn in recent years, that is until Dowdell ripped flags off the graves at Pine Hill Cemetery.

Perhaps Dowdell is correct. Perhaps the black residents of Auburn are underserved. But, so far, he’s not made the case. He’s only threatened legal action if he doesn’t get his way. “We know that it’s either going to be solved at the negotiating table, or it’s going to be solved in the courts,” he said. “But I don’t want it to be solved in the courts.”

We believe Auburn has proven itself to be a progressive city. Truth is, ward lines are drawn up not in gerrymandering fashion to make them fit politically one way or the other. If you want another black person on the council, then we suggest another black person run for a seat and then tell people why they should vote for that person. In the end, that might be the most constructive course of action in increasing minority representation on the city council.