Inclusion?

Arlington County Democrats unwilling to embrace inclusion or change.

The recent dust up among Democrats in Arlington over a racially charged mailing by Frank O’Leary unveils problems within the party according to the Sun Gazette. 

Party leaders are “not doing enough to represent who we say we represent,” added Krysta Jones, who was deputy campaign manager and spokesman for Bob James’ unsuccessful effort to defeat O’Leary in the primary. Jones is African-American.

So, too, is Voncille Trotter Hines, who in an interview after the meeting suggested that party leaders are taking Arlington’s historic African-American community for granted, and are unwilling to let newcomers into what she contends is their private, club-like domain.

 “You have these people who have been here for years and years - there is no room for inclusion,” Hines said. “The culture of this particular party is that they talk the talk, but don’t walk the walk.”

The Sun Gazette goes on to suggest that it may go beyond race and get more to the desire for power among those currently controlling the Party.

The O’Leary campaign mailing against James may ultimately have had less to do with skin hue and more with the point Hines brings up about the unwillingness of party leaders to foster healthy competition and embrace change.

Current County Board Chairman Paul Ferguson tried to explain the problem away:

 Ferguson said that part of the problem facing his party could be that newcomers, of any race or ethnicity, might not be interested in sitting through what often can be the tedium of political operations.

“It takes a special effort,” said Ferguson . . .