Tuesday, May 11, 2004

Like Father, Like Son

Adam Clayton Powell IV. There are few greater pleasures in the world than watching Harlem politics. And the upcoming battle between Adam Clayton Powell, IV and ranking member on the Ways and Means Committee, Charlie Rangel, was going to be a battle of the superheavyweights. It was slated to be hotter than Sylvia's gumbo.

As the legend goes: Charlie Rangel humiliated Adam Powell's dad, the legendary Adam Clayton Powell, arguably the grandaddy of Harlem, a larger than life figure. Light-skinned, Powell passed for white, and ended up going to elite universities and moving in powerful circles. He wasa good looking man, and that helped him navigate in both the black and white worlds during the Civil Rights struggles, in Congress, representing Harlem

In his later years, alas, he became corrupt (on a Nigerian-Russian scale), carousing with busty women and whiskey instead of defending Harlem's interests in Congress during the crucial civil rights era. Rangel, it is said in legend, headed the delegation to Bimini sent to seperate Powell from the booze and chicks (party pooper!). Powell, allegedy, slapped Rangel in the face during the "impromptu intervention" and said, simply, "you do what you gotta do, baby"

And he did. In defeating Powell, which led to the great man's ruin on the cliffs of unfulfilled destiny, Rangel became the new biggest cat in the jungle in Harlem politics. Cut to a few decades later, the former great man's son, Adam Clayton Powell, IV, has come back to avenge the family name (like Andrew Cuomo, like George Bush the Younger). Powell was born of a Puerto Rican mother, and has a base in both black Harlem and the rising Latino demographic. Add the fact that he inherited his father's looks. The battle, as they say, was on like Gray Poupon

After Powell got elected to an Assembly seat, it was only a matter of time before WW III. Even Al Sharpton, angry that Rangel didn't support his presidential bid, .
threatened to inject himself on the side of Powell

But the rape allegations in a seedy Howard Johnson's that sufaced against Powell may have ended the dream. Just like his dad, and, perhaps just like Andrew Cuomo and George Bush the Younger.

Fathers and Sons ...

Funny how generational sagas tend to repeat themselves ...

(The Corsair contemplates Bill Clinton in his harlem office, on 125th street, in the summer, contemplating the kapow booty of the ladies that stroll that way in the poom-poom shorts. This isn't anemic DC flank -- no, this is Harlemworld USDA Ground round highwater booty. The Corsair feels profound sympathy for The Passion of Bill)

11 comments:

The Corsair said...

guys, no blog tommorrow, I have work deadlines. See you on Thursday.

The Corsair said...

Hope you like the new blogspot temp. The other one -- split pea soup and electric blue was an eyesore. Now, if only I can learn how to do permalinks ....

Shaw Israel Izikson said...

whoa! Nice new design! Lite Brite!

I'll throw over some info on permalinks. It's not that hard...

Shaw Israel Izikson said...

Huh...this blogger comments thing is so weird. That and it cuts my name off to make it sound like I'm part of a country. . .

Anyone for some motzah?

The Corsair said...

Hey Shaw Israel! Hey Alexis! Who am I? Hmmm. That's pretty existential and I'm still answering that myself. I do read and represent on as many blogs as my boss' averted gaze will allow me to do during the day. Thank you for your comments. Today and tomorrow are deadlines at my job, so I won't be blogging till Friday.

Anonymous said...

Hi, I'm Kim and I want to say one thing. Whenever someone is in the public eye, there is always someone who wants to capitalize on their fame. This intern knew what she was doing and wasn't exactly a vestial virgin. Any 19 year old girl knows when you go to a hotel room with an eligible, influential and handsome man such as Adam Clayton Powell IV, you know you're not going to play tidliwinks. (DUH!) She recanted her story and admitted her didn't rape her, that it was consentual, he used a condom when she requested, and-they did the wild thing twice. I'm sorry-doesn't sound like rape to me. After all is said and done, she saw dollar signs and the Powell legacy and seen an opportunity to cash in on her 15 minutes. This soon shall pass and Assemblyman will be left to pick up the pieces of his shatter life and the ruins of his reputation. Once he's acquitted of all charges, the damage will be done and this intern will go on with her life maybe for a short time going on "Dateline" and shows like it.

The Corsair said...

Good point. I made it a point to call them "allegations," let's hope his career isn't ruined by this episode, although, no question, the legacy is marred.

Anonymous said...

Hi, it's Kim-again! Look how things have quieted down since this thing blew into the headlines. Maybe, they realized this thing was more fiction than fact and the allegations didn't hold any credibility. Now, it is up to time and now Adam Clayton Powell IV has to mend the pieces of his shattered reputation. The people who really know him, will know the truth and the police will finish their investigation and clear him of any wrongdoing. Meanwhile, during all of this-Powell has retained his composure and handled this whole thing with class and intergrity.

The Corsair said...

Kim, darling, if I ever run for public office, I want you right there beside me. ;-)

Anonymous said...

Ron, it's Kim darling(again) thanks for the props-it made my day!

Anonymous said...

Ron, it's Kim darling(again) thanks for the props-it made my day!