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Residents of the City of St. Louis have elected a new mayor, marking the end of Francis G. Slays 16-year reign. To many progressives in the city, Slays announcement that he would not seek another term as mayor presented a unique and valuable opportunity to get a candidate in Room 200 of City Hall who would represent all of St. Louis, and not just wealthy white business interests and campaign donors.

In the Democratic primary, St. Louis progressives placed their hopes in Tishaura O. Jones. Jones campaigned using the slogan One St. Louis and demonstrated an understanding of many citizens discontent with the status quo. Calling for investments in St. Louis public schools and underdeveloped neighborhoods in the largely black and lower-income portions of St. Louis while promoting fiscal responsibility, Jones blasted large taxpayer-funded projects like the Major League Soccer stadium. Alas, she lost by 888 votes to Lyda Krewson.

Krewson has received justified criticism for her track record as 28th Ward alderwoman. She pushed for the gentrification of the Central Corridor and supported closing the homeless shelter at the New Life Evangelistic Center (NLEC). She embraced the endorsement of Jeff Roorda and the St. Louis Police Officers Association.

On matters of policing and race, Krewson advocates for more training for police officers and to look at everything through a racial equity lens. In fact, the reinforcement of racist structures with narratives of more training only makes the faults in them more nuanced and easier to conceal, rather than abolishing them. Promises of racial equity also fail to convince when trends of gentrification and neoliberal economic policy accumulate, while the citys poorer neighborhoods are sold the idea of needing more police in exchange for safety.

The core of Krewsons priorities becomes apparent through her enmity toward people experiencing homelessness in St. Louis and her policies and rhetoric around closing the NLEC shelter without a suitable alternative. Krewson stated that the NLEC doors should be chained shut. In an attempt to distance herself from these condemnations, she has remained silent as the City of St. Louis was named the defendant in a lawsuit decrying individuals experiencing homelessness being warehoused in a city garage.

Krewson previously drafted an ordinance that criminalizes panhandling. Not all individuals experiencing homelessness panhandle, though one may draw the conclusion that she thinks so after saying of homeless people in 2008 that most arent interested in regular employment. Often panhandling is more lucrative.

It is for these reasons that progressives and every resident who has great concern about where our country and our city are headed over the next four years, given constantly widening class and race divides must hold our new mayor accountable.

Kennard Wiliams is a St. Louis native, community organizer, and social justice advocate.

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Progressives must hold Krewson accountable | Guest Columnists ... - St. Louis American