Opinions on Rob Ford divide Toronto’s black community | Toronto Star

Interesting article on Rob Ford and the black community in Toronto and how his “retail politics” as well as follow-up to specific requests by constituents continues to resonate with some:

[Ken] Bryan, raised in foster homes in some of the city’s most impoverished neighbourhoods, says he “gets” Ford’s support in communities ignored by other politicians unless they are “pandering for votes.”“

Ford shows up and helps someone fix their door that’s been broken for three months and they say, ‘Hey, this guy is a great guy,’” Bryan said. “His sort of populism appeals to that … ‘I’m just this poor little guy and there are these downtown elites who hold their noses up at us; they don’t come into our communities.’”

But Bryan bristles when he hears claims that Ford has done more for black people than any other politician, or that youths, as Ford has said, would be “dead or in jail,” if it weren’t for him and his football charity.

“It’s patently false,” said Bryan, “but he believes it and he says it and the people who don’t know any better believe it. And that’s unfortunate.”

…. Those struggling to eke out a living in Toronto may not have the time, or inclination, to follow the decision-making at city hall closely enough to realize the inconsistencies between Ford’s words and his policy positions, says Bryan.

“It is low information, not necessarily low education,” he said.For that reason, it’s up to those who are paying attention to bring those who feel left out “into the fold,” and get them involved in the political process, Bryan adds.

“The question to be asked is why do all these black people feel disenfranchised? The answer is larger and has to do with a lot more than Rob Ford.”

Opinions on Rob Ford divide Toronto’s black community | Toronto Star.