Progressives Anxious – But Hopeful -- About DellumsPaul Hogarthbyline‚ Jan. 08‚ 2007Former Congressman Ron Dellums will be sworn in today as the new Mayor of Oakland at 11:00 a.m. at a Public Inaugural Ceremony at the Paramount Theater. The event is free and open to the public, but get there early because it will be packed. For progressive activists, it’s an exhilarating day after fighting for years in the political wilderness – as the city faces the triple challenges of gentrification, unemployment and a high crime rate. Eight years ago, many of these same people were excited about another new Mayor – Jerry Brown – who was supposed to be the great Left Hope. Like Brown, Dellums is an elder statesman who came out of retirement to run for Mayor of Oakland to help “renew” a struggling city. But this time, more progressives are optimistic that Dellums will not let them down the way Jerry did. Their optimism is guarded, but grounded in enough facts and experiences that give them the hope that Oakland is on the verge of a new era. |