General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsAs New Orleans mayor is sworn in Monday, La. has three black women leading its largest cities
NEW ORLEANS When LaToya Cantrell raises her right hand Monday to take the oath of office, she will make history, becoming the first female mayor in New Orleanss 300-year existence. Her installation also means that Louisianas three largest cities New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Shreveport all have black female Democrats as their leaders.
Deep South Louisianaalso will have two black women leading cities that rank in the top 100 by population, joining four other such cities nationwide: Atlanta, Baltimore, Charlotte and the District of Columbia.
Some here say the rare feat has occurred in an otherwise politically red state because of its staunchly Democratic blue oases, much like quirky Austin in conservative Texas or liberal Louisville in Kentucky coal country. Louisiana overwhelmingly supported GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump in 2016, while Democrat Hillary Clinton carried all three of the states largest cities, where minority voters make up a bigger share of the electorate.
Some experts and voters point to Louisianas deep challenges, which disproportionately affect minority communities, as being a driving force for change. Income, employment and life expectancy here lag behind most of the country, issues that have motivated the three mayors. Each said the idea of serving the public especially the ability to improve the lives of those in their communities has been a driving factor in their public lives.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/as-new-orleans-mayor-is-sworn-in-monday-la-has-three-black-women-leading-its-largest-cities/2018/05/06/6a80bcbe-4fd8-11e8-84a0-458a1aa9ac0a_story.html?utm_term=.c0eca1869064
BumRushDaShow
(128,958 posts)because that will give them experience for seeking higher office.
RandomAccess
(5,210 posts)Kurt V.
(5,624 posts)thank you!!!!
kimbutgar
(21,141 posts)Will San Francisco be the 4th?
lsewpershad
(2,620 posts)and about time.
oasis
(49,383 posts)Ex Lurker
(3,813 posts)MineralMan
(146,298 posts)oberliner
(58,724 posts)http://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/crime_police/article_ddc03060-f173-11e7-90ea-9f16d6e9dbe8.html
Shreveport ranks 18th on Americas 25 Murder Capitals List
https://www.ktbs.com/news/shreveport-ranks-th-on-america-s-murder-capitals-list/article_4bebe048-c96f-11e7-9f46-8f57ed5f17ab.html
And, of course, New Orleans is the worst of the three.
oberliner
(58,724 posts)Lots of challenges in those cities for a mayor to deal with, that's for sure.