Norfolk Vice Mayor Paul Riddick was the subject of a news report on WAVY TV 10 after remarks he made during this afternoon’s council meeting sparked a rebuke from Mayor Paul Fraim and other members of council.
This is not the first time – nor will it be the last – that Riddick speaks out on what he perceives to be issues of racism. As I have said before, I live in Ward 4, which is represented on council by Riddick. The position of vice mayor is mainly a ceremonial one, but the decision to elect Riddick was not an easy one, requiring seven ballots by the new council last July. At the time, Fraim praised Riddick:
“He’s a very complex, intelligent man who has a great deal of good he wants to accomplish in this city,” Fraim said. “At this point in his career, Paul can be a suitable representative as vice mayor.”
Riddick pledged to do just that. “I plan to serve this entire city diligently,” he said. “Over the years, I have been very dedicated to the city of Norfolk, which is my hometown.
“I have been misrepresented, or misdiagnosed, a lot in my efforts. But we’re going to move forward in a positive fashion.”
I agree that Riddick is an intelligent man, which was part of my reason for endorsing his selection as vice mayor. (Not that it mattered – we don’t get to vote on vice mayor.) And it is because I respect this man that I feel compelled to ask him to refrain from making statements like he made today.
You see, it’s a little bit like the boy who cried wolf – except that the wolf is there a lot more than most people think. Racism exists in our society. Period. The problem is that you are never going to convince folks that racism is alive and well by beating them over the head with it, at every turn. Like violence on TV, people get desensitized to the issue of race when they hear it spoken of on a regular basis. Instead of informing them that it goes on, they turn a deaf ear. You are the one branded a racist. They believe you’re crying wolf because they want to believe that racism doesn’t exist.
So, Mr. Riddick, I’m asking you: pick your battles. I think you’ll be more effective.
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
hello everyone, i remember when i was a young man growing up in chicago,il. what happen at that time was a man called Harold Washigton ran and won being the first elected african american mayor in chicago history. Mayor washington destoryed a daley monster in local government, the 1980’s in chicago was a time to learn politics 101. funnny history repeats itself here in norfolk,va. maybe riddick is right stop putting your head in the sand open your eyes race is a problem in norfolk, maybe it is time for a mayor washington in norfolk,va. to break the norfolk political monster. i stand by what i say jackhsiles@msn.com
The Vice Mayor is a race-baiting, divisive, attention hounding blow hard cry baby who is mad because he did not get special treatment. Get real Mr. Vice Mayor. You are the Vice mayor of Norfolk, VA, not NYC or LA. Until his tirade the average voter had no idea who this lunatic was. Other than that I think he is a fine man.
Are their problems in the NPD? Maybe, but this sort of over the top, Sharp ton type of rant and accusations only stand to embolden the source of any problems and turn off anyone who might be swayed to help.
Fact is this is a guy pissed over being scolded by the garbage man. He is acting like a minor league politician. The visual of watching a black councilman scold him for his attacks and words sticks in my mind. Is that a fair image? Maybe not, but this was the first and only image and impression that the average Joe and Jane got of the Vice Mayor, because, lest we forget, most people don’t read council minutes or blogs.