As the most important Latino in Kansas City, I'm forced to note that Light Rail in Kansas City is racist because virtually no effort has been made (until recently) to include the Latino Community in the design process of the starter route that steers clear of this town's two predominantly Latino neighborhoods.
Nevertheless, there is at least going to be a token effort to convince Latinos in Kansas City to vote for Light Rail and the community will once again host the Mayor's aide Crispin Rea who has spent most of his time in the Mayor's employment trying to create a wedge between the Northeast immigrant community and the Chicanos on the Westside.
Additionally, Latinos might want to remember: The current Light Rail vote is the pet project of a Mayor who not only betrayed promises to Latino leaders but also regularly appears on a talk show which broadcasts hatred toward the Latino Community!!!
Here's the info on the upcoming meeting:
What: Town Hall Meeting - Light Rail
When: October 27th, Monday, 2008
Time: 6:00 - 7:00 PM
Where: Tony Aguirre Community Center
Purpose: Inviting you to a Town Hall meeting on the Westside to answer any questions and clear-up any misconceptions about light rail. For more info visit: www.kcrail.com
As always, I'm sure there are going to be a few sellouts on this issue and because I don't like standing in the way of anyone's opportunity . . . I can only encourage them to get paid upfront because Kansas City leaders have a longstanding legacy of ignoring their promises to the Latino Community and leaving us out of their profitable economic development schemes.
It doesn't go near the Somalian, Serbian, or Jewish neighborhoods either.
ReplyDeleteGive it a rest, Tony. You hate light rail anyway, why would you want it in your neighborhood? Stop crying racism at every little thing.
I'll vote yes if they alther the route to run through your house.
i certainly believe that latinos ought to be included in light rail.
ReplyDeletein fact, having roving mariachi bands aboad the cars to entertain the pasengers as they speed off to their destinations is a great idea.
ahhh...just one thing, please. no hairnets and plaid shirts buttoned as though by 5 year olds, okay?
But Tony, with the funding non secured you are forgetting that light rail might not reach into the black community either. It is actually only for downtown just like everything else.
ReplyDeleteTengo preguntas.
ReplyDeleteThe Latino community is one of the largest ethnic groups in the City. It may be of little comfort, but a fast majority of kansas city was left out of the light rail planning. It has been a rigged process from the get go. In fact, one of the ironies of MARC and KCATA is that they have not really done planning from the perspective of those who need the service most. There planning model is about who can profit or how the city could look 30 years from now. This type of rigged social engineering is driven by elitests, while the transportation dependent are served by an inadequate transportation system.
Black ministers were bought off by a run up Watkins Drive. Lantinos were not even in the consideration. Truly, Que Lastima.
Good enough reason to vote the whole thing down.
ReplyDeleteI say let's run the light rail from the black community to the mexican community and leave the whites out of it. Both groups can pay for the whole thing, you can have tagging contests, and give both quick transportation to and from your stupid gang wars. The "Hare Nets" vs. The "Ass Cappers"
ReplyDeletei've never understood why you can't take the fucking bus north or south into Northeast - in order to travel from St. John or Independence Avenue to 23rd or 24th Street, you have to go allllllllllll the way west to downtown and transfer first.
ReplyDeletelight rail ain't gonna improve that one fucking bit, folks.
I thought mexicans robbed trains not ride them.
ReplyDeleteLight rail excludes 99% of the metro population that does not live within walking distance of a stop.
ReplyDelete