Did San Jose's Black Councilman Get Unfairly Picked On?
Story by Shana White

Last week, while reading about recently resigned San Jose City Council man Terry Gregory's political scandal, my first thought was: what is the difference? He is just another black politician who got caught up doing dirt. Gregory was caught accepting gifts from business owners and influencing city decisions favorably towards them. Now, he's in the same boat as Jessie Jackson and Marion Barry, black leaders who got caught doing something very normal to politics, but are paying the price. Black politicians will always be picked on. But what's important to note is that after as all these black political leaders got caught publicly doing dirt, they all made a change for their own good. Although getting called out and having to resign as a city council person could end his career, this can also be a turning point for Gregory.

Actually, I was surprised with myself that I didn't expect Gregory to get caught up. I am so used to politicians doing wrong, I guess I had become numb to these scandals happening. After the media blitz, Gregory surrendered, and was booked on suspicion of 11 accounts of misdemeanor charges. Going to jail for these “unsure” claims seems to be a bit too much for Gregory, even though a few of my friends who met him said he was not a nice person at all.

A piece of me still feel for Gregory. Black politicians go through a lot to attain and maintain a leadership position in politics. It comes with accusations of scandal or dealing with the community's criticism about joining the opposing side. Even someone as high up as Condoleezza Rice falls victims to some of these issues. Not only is she apart of Bush's cabinet and has to back up the President's decisions, but I have also heard people talk about her bad hair-do. I do applaud Condoleezza's strength for going through all of this.   Another black leader who had it hard is San Francisco's ex-mayor Willie Brown. He was cursed, he even got a pie thrown in his face.