Columbia, SC: Steve Benjamin elected the city’s first black mayor

[Are_grits_groceries]

Columbians embraced Steve Benjamin’s vision Tuesday, overwhelmingly electing the Capital City’s first black mayor on a message of balancing the budget without sacrificing the city’s public-safety priorities.

Benjamin, an attorney, defeated District 4 Councilman Kirkman Finlay, whose campaign was built around his warning that the city’s budget was in crisis and that the only way to save it was to shrink local government to a more manageable size.

But Benjamin promised city voters more than a balanced budget, and some voters were clinging to that promise Tuesday.

Read more: http://www.thestate.com/2010/04/20/1252713/steve-benjamin-wins.html#ixzz0lj1fIlNb

It was too long coming. However, at the height of racist Teaspitter uproar in the country, Steve Benjamin was elected as the Mayor of the capitol of SOUTH CAROLINA. This state is a never ending paradox.

[Behind the Aegis]

1. OMG! He's a great guy.

I went to school with him. He actually was one of the people who tried to help the gay student group at USC with advice and support. GOOD FOR HIM!

[newtothegame]

2. Would be even more heartwarming if we didn't need to include that he is "black" in the headline.

Race will cease to be an issue when we stop celebrating every little thing our culture does as a HUGE accomplishment. Our race is capable of achieving things just like everyone else. The brass band and parade everytime just reminds me that you still don't think I'm capable.

[Behind the Aegis]

3. The operative word is "first."

The election of an African-American, male or female, as mayor to the capitol city of one of the most racially-backward states is a HUGE accomplishment. I agree blacks are as capable as any other race, but there is nothing wrong in taking pride in one's accomplishments. The news would be as impressive had it read "first GAY mayor."