Mayoral candidates John Connolly and Marty Walsh debated for the third time — the second time this week — last night. Broadcast on Boston Neighborhood Network Television, the debate focused on communities of color.
Thus far, people and communities of color have been addressed by both Connolly and Walsh on their respective campaign trails. During the first two debates, however, both candidates were able to steer the focus of key city issues toward communities and people of color — a vote both Connolly and Walsh are fighting for.
Last night’s “Two Candidates, One Boston, Your Choice” debate sought to provide both candidates the time and space to address these communities, specifically.
“We need to talk more about racism. We need to talk more about institutional, systemic racism and the role it plays in our society,” said Connolly, according to Boston.com. “Communities of color don’t need to talk about it so much; you live it every day. White Bostonians need to talk about it. That’s the one thing that Mayor Walsh or Mayor Connolly can get done.”
Walsh discussed his previous visits to the Boston Redevelopment Authority while he was the head of the Boston Building Trades, acknowledging that the faces he saw “looked like me.”
“We need to change that,” Walsh said. “We need to hold people’s feet to the fire.”
In a majority-minority city, potential non-white voters could tip the scale in favor of Walsh or Connolly. Both candidates in recent weeks have been vying for endorsements that could do just that.
Walsh has mayoral preliminary candidates Charlotte Golar Richie, Felix Arroyo and John Barros on his side.
Connolly has earned the endorsements of prominent black ministers, notably, the group lead by Reverend William Dickerson of the Greater Love Tabernacle Church. While not as high profile, WGBH’s Peter Kadzis says the ministers’ endorsements of Connolly should not be discounted, as both candidates try to appeal to Boston’s communities of color.
Rev. Liz Walker, the moderator of last night’s debate, told the crowd of 500-plus, according to Boston.com: “This could be the pivotal debate because this community has power. This community is important. This community could make the difference in the race — and will.”
The debate was held at the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center in Roxbury.
The debate was not originally scheduled at the the start of the race, but, after “a coalition of more than two dozen groups pushed for the debate,” Connolly and Walsh agreed.
Image from Masslive.com
