January 24, 1990

Black Racism Barry’s Downfall

The charge of “racism” by Washington, D.C., Mayor Marion Barry won’t wash.

In fact, he probably has killed that defense for black public officials forevermore.

Barry was arrested last week in a hotel just six blocks from the White House while smoking crack cocaine in the room of a woman described by police as “a fashion model and former girlfriend.”

Barry’s lawyer yelled “entrapment,” but federal prosecutor Jay S. Stephens only shrugged. There is much “predictive” evidence – as previous proof – that Barry was predisposed to buying and using drugs. Such evidence removes the legal stigma of entrapment.

It was common knowledge in Washington the mayor was a junkie. A long-time friend and dope dealer, Charles Lewis, told a grand jury Barry was a frequent customer.

When questioned, Barry denied the accusation. He now must be careful in admitting his “weakness” lest he be nailed for perjury as well as cocaine possession. Nevertheless, he checked into a West Palm Beach rehabilitation clinic on Monday for an alcohol problem.

Barry was visiting Lewis’ hotel in December 1988, when city police were on their way to bust the drug trafficker. When the hotel clerk told police Barry was present, they turned around and left.

Racism was indeed at work, but it was not anti-Barry.

Stephens describes last week’s sting as an “ongoing” investigation. This implies criminal acts other than narcotics possession are involved. The District of Columbia is a national disgrace. It is the murder capital of the country – nearly all drug-related.

Benjamin Hooks, president of the National Association of Colored People, also declares Barry’s arrest is part of “a pattern of harassment of black officials.” He asserts if Barry was white he would not have been molested.

Charlotte County folks would disagree. Former County Administrator William Kiriloff, noticeably white, was arrested last year for possession of less than a gram of cocaine. He lost his job and was tried, fined, ordered to perform 500 hours of community service and put on five years probation.

Barry’s fall from grace is some sort of Greek tragedy. He was active in the Martin Luther King Jr. civil rights movement and a proponent of non-violent protest. He worked his way through college and obtained a Master’s Degree in chemistry. He earned and deserved admiration.

Unfortunately he did not know how to govern. He confused popularity with politics and gave both a bad name.

It may be that rampant drug abuse and murder is uncontrollable in the nation’s capital - that neither Barry nor any other leader could do anything about it. However, the situation worsened on Barry’s watch.

The greater tragedy is voters of the District, 98 percent black, continued to elect Barry. They let their own racism prevail over his obvious inability to deal with crime in the streets. To this extent he is a victim of black racism.

During the first few days following Barry’s arrest, other Afro-American officials rushed to praise him. Public opinion polls indicate he should remain in office.

The most incredible excuse offered by Barry was delivered tearfully to a press conference after he was arraigned: “My biggest mistake was that I spent so much time caring and doing for others. I have not worried enough about caring for myself.”

This was either a grandstand play for sympathy, or a declaration of right for special exception. Whichever, it is unworthy of a genuine hero of the civil rights movement. It mocks the hundreds of thousands of volunteers who, unheralded and unpaid, toil in good works.

Service above self is its own reward. It is a mistake only if recognition and recompense are expected and - regretted if not tendered. It certainly is not an excuse for self indulgence.

There are too many black congressmen, state legislators, mayors and now a governor of Virginia, for the racism charge to be universally valid - unless it be that many blacks vote as a bloc for black candidates regardless of qualifications for office.

Black racism is a great disservice to the majority of blacks who work hard, achieve, pay their taxes, raise families, support their communities and vote for competent representatives regardless of their skin color.

Those who practice black racism suffer most from it. The tolerance for black crime, breakup of black families, teen-age pregnancies, street violence, school dropouts, drug abuse and welfare dependency keeps too many blacks in modern bondage.

Yes, there is residual white racism, but blacks are not the only victims. Religious and ethnic minorities also suffer. All racists are victims of their own prejudice.

Barry has defects in his character. He could not cope with the challenge of the office. Yet, he did good and meant to do more.

It is appropriate blacks should weep over his unfulfilled aspirations. Undoubtedly he would have made a good chemist.

This said, it is imperative Washington blacks stop adulating public officials simply because they are black, and replace Barry with someone who will insist on honesty and obedience to law.

By Lindsey Wilger Williams, retired newspaper publisher and syndicated columnist