Leaked Memo Exposes Whitewash in New Orleans

[KamaAina]

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/editorial-new-orleans-exposed-n466836

For New Orleans, these elections come on the heels of a controversial memo that was leaked by one of the city's well-known political consultants Cheron Brylski. In September, Brylski inadvertently copied members of her press list on an email that was meant for two French Quarter based non-profit groups she consulted voluntarily.

The memo detailed a meeting between Brylski and the two groups for which strategy to influence local elected officials and highly contested development grants and proposals was discussed. While the suggestion of non-profits engaging in political activity can raise eyebrows - it was the overt racial tone of the email that was a cause of concern for some who received the leaked memo.

In the memo, Brylski writes in one particular district race that residents may donate services "even though it appears the vote counts are not favorable for a white candidate in that district" and that the two groups she was consulting should continue to "feel out" a black member of city council "who is increasingly concerned about voting with the "whites" on the Council."

Mentioned later in the memo is a need for "black spokespersons" and the suggestion that two white council members may feel "increasingly isolated as the "whites" who are against development."