Minorities still lag in politics and jobs

[Ian David]

Although their population is soaring, minorities are underrepresented in political offices and on municipal work forces.

By Maria Papadopoulos

ENTERPRISE STAFF WRITER The scant number of minorities elected to Brockton government offices is one reason why Pat Thomas helped jump start the New Leadership Fund in the city last year.

“What we really wanted to do was bring about a change in government that would better serve the needs of the community as a whole,” said Thomas, founding member of the political action committee whose goal is to identify and train emerging leaders in Brockton.

Minorities are not represented in positions of power in Brockton, Taunton and Randolph, three local communities where there are sizeable populations of non-whites.

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In Brockton, the New Leadership Fund is recruiting leaders in city churches, schools and neighborhoods, Thomas said. The group also plans to hold voter registration classes and increase voter participation at community events and by going to resident doorsteps, he said.

“What's being done is making certain that people are engaged in this process,” said Brockton mayoral candidate Jass Stewart, also a founding member of the New Leadership Fund, who is black.

More:
http://enterprise.southofboston.com/articles/2007/02/18/news/news/news03.txt

This story contains material from The Patriot Ledger. Maria Papadopoulos can be reached at [email protected].