Stephanie Stephanie Stephanie... seems like you want to be queen of Baltimore. Stephanie Stephanie Stephanie... didn't they teach you at church that there is only one G-d and you are not that G-d?
PRESS RELEASE
IMPAC (Independent Movement Political Action Club)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT:
April 19, 2009 Hassan Giordano – Club Whip
443-473-6401
LOCAL POLITICAL CLUB CALLING ON PUBLIC APOLOGY FROM COUNCIL PRESIDENT
Rawlings-Blake tells citizen during public committee hearing, “you do not know me, we are not friends and therefore you shall not call me Stephanie, period!”
Baltimore, MD – The Baltimore branch of the Independent Movement Political Action Club, or IMPAC, is calling on a public apology from City Council President Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, for her outlandish and crude remarks during a recent public committee hearing, on CB-08-0163, at the Baltimore City Community College.
During this hearing, this past Thursday April 16, 2009, at 6:30p.m., in which hundreds of protestors lined up, to speak out against the proposed measure, which would change the way Live Entertainment is handled throughout Baltimore, Council President Rawlings-Blake became agitated and distressed at the opposition to her legislation, lashing out at a young opponent of the measure for calling her “Stephanie”.
As Baltimore musician and bar manager Laura Richardson addressed her opposition to the proposed bill, revealing her own discomfort in the formal setting, she kept referencing her experiences as a musician dwelling in the counterculture of Baltimore city's metal scene, by referencing the Council President as “Stephanie”, during her improvisational tangent. Quickly, and rudely, Madame President interrupted Ms. Richardson’s testimony to state the following: "You don't know me, and we aren't friends. You do not know me, have never met me, and we are not friends. We've never been friends. You do not address me by my first name - period." (Almost verbatim)
As Ms. Richardson retreated in confusion and stunning disbelief, as the rest of the on-lookers were as well, she politely asked President Rawlings-Blake “how she should address her?” At this time President Rawlings-Blake again stated the fact of them NOT being friends in another rudely remarked statement: “Madame President Rawlings-Blake, Council President Rawlings-Blake, President Rawlings Blake - any of these, but you do not call me by my first name. You don't know me!" (Almost verbatim)
As this public display of displeasure and arrogance towards those merely stating their opposition to a proposed Council bill was evident to the entirety of a crowded venue of concerned citizens, we feel that the remarks were unnecessary and demeaning. This attitude is unacceptable to residents who have taken their personal time to attend a hearing in response to a call by Council committee chairman Jim Kraft, in reference to a very controversial measure. As one member in attendance put it, she felt “humiliated and very uncomfortable at the exchange!”
Therefore we feel that a public apology is needed and necessary, by the Council President, to not only Ms. Richardson, but to the entire hearings attendees, who were subject to this type of rude and unbecoming behavior, by someone who is elected to represent the City of Baltimore, in its entirety, despite personal feelings or animosity towards any particular subjects.
We are calling on all City based or vested organizations, businesses, elected officials, community residents and activists, as well as media outlets, to address this situation and help bring closure to this shameful episode, displayed by a Citywide elected official!
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Independent Movement Political Action Club, is a community active, member based political club, aimed at representing those disenfranchised and alienated from the political system, whom seem to be unfairly targeted because of their lack of political capital. |
Comments
Well, damn! I insist my friends call me "Goddess." Or "Goddess Kat" or even "Highest Woman in the Universe." I really don't get you young folks these days and your lack of respect of your queenly elders. Bow down like the little street urchins you are! Especially you grubby little live music lovers!
As if!
Seriously! Who does Stephanie think she is? Do any of the other council people act this way? Remind when the next election comes to campaign against her.
I have to agree with this PR, Ms. Rawlings-Blake was heavy handed and out of line in her outburst. It sounds like she took this personally and responded in a rather unpolished, immature way. Maybe I'm wrong about this, but it sounds to me like there is an underlying racial element hear. I think Ms. Rawlings-Blake would be more likely to allow a fellow African-American to address her less formally,but coming from a white woman nwho may be her age or younger she would brook no slight, percieved or real.
You know I have heard lately by so many people of how rude and arrogant Stephanie Rawlings-Blake has been to people. Do she know that it's because of the citizens of Baltimore that her arrogant behind is in office.I think she needs to be called out publicly by the media and whom ever else can put her out there to show the kind of person that some of you put in office. She needs to be made to apologize to everyone. She's nothing like her father.
GO GET HER HASSAN. SHE IS ARROGANT & DISRESPECTFUL. SHE WORKS FOR YOU GUYS NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND. PLEASE REMIND HER THAT.
Adam;
Thanks for the post, its unfortunate places like the Baltimore Sun, who are bought and paid for by the O'Malley Democratic Party, will not address this issue, or any other it seems like!
As to Jim and others who may ask, others in that venue, earlier in the evening, who know CP Rawlings-Blake personally, addressed as "Stephanie", yet when this young lady got up to testify and followed suit, she was chastized for doing such! Outrageous and disrespectful and some have said to me that they believe it may have an underlining racial aspect to it, however whether yeah or neah, she needs to apologize PUBLICLY!!!
Keep up the good reporting!
Mr. Giordano
Baltimore Independent Examiner
I'm going to take a slightly different position here. While Rawlings-Blake's response was uncalled-for and downright imperial - and she deserves the scorn she's receiving - I think that the position she holds does command a certain level of respect. I would never address a public official by first name, regardless of the fact that, yes, they work for me. It's just a bit of common decency that appears lost to history.
Stephanie, Stephanie, Stephanie, Stephanie, Stephanie, Steph, Steph, Steph, Steph, Steph.
Has the HIGH office made you elitist?
I should add Steph that HONOR is earned and and you do not earn it just by election. You mam have a LONG way to go to earn any kind of title.
My letter to the council prez, under the subject line, "Honorifics versus first-names":
I have read numerous accounts of the way you publicly humiliated Laura Richardson (who, by the way, I do not know) over the matter of addressing you by your first name.
Perhaps if you want that kind of formality established, you could persuade your fellow politicians to refrain from addressing ME by my first name, when I make a polite inquiry or comment about one policy or another. The list of elected officials who've done this to me is endless, but includes Mr. Cummings and Mr. Smith of Baltimore County.
To put it in the vernacular, don't be puttin' on airs like royalty, because royalty you Ain't!
Mister Stanley James Modjesky
Gwynn Oak
Baltimore County [thank God], MD
I undersand the frustration on all ends, but to get out on someone in public like that is intentional humiliation on Stephanie's part. I call her that because she is not deserving of the title. What is she doing anyway? We need to get these arrogant femmes out of office. Thier time is up.
I think the chances of get any type of apology are slim and none.
Oh, and slime left town along time ago.
She wants to be "Queen" of this here hood and will not tolerate us little people.
I ran against Stephanie for city council president in 2007. Stephanie said publicly she would debate me and then after the primary when I contacted her to set it up, she ignored me. Stephanie is not only an arrogant out of touch elected official, she lies as well! Not only does Stephanie owe Ms. Richardson an apology, she owes the entire city of Baltimore an apology for ruling (and she does rule, no governance here) with the developers and moneyed interests as her only concern. I believe Stephanie is already gearing up to step into the mayor's shoes and that possibility should be a frightening thought to all of us.
I think when we know who we are, these "trivial" matters of putting a handle on our name does not bother us. Let it also be said that the young lady did try to address her correctly, however she was still on a tangent! Learn how to conduct yourself in public "Madame President". When you put yourself in the position to be judged by the people, there is little margin for error. You do owe the public an apology. They will not forget when it comes to another election.
It is obvious that Rawlings-Blake should not be in a position of power. I pray that Baltimoreans will do the right thing in the next election and vote her out. It is obvious that she only cares about her own career.
Has Baltimore flipped its wig? I am sure you never hear of other politicians making these kinds of statements because most people have the common decency to use the proper honorifics. To not use the proper title or just a plain Ms or Mrs. is an insult. It is a statement that not only does she have not authority, but that she is not even an adult. In any formal conversation one would ask to call someone by their first name if not first invited. From your description, it sounds like Ms Richardson knew what she was doing so to be corrected publicly was neither insulting nor rude.
I've seen Queen Stephanie in action at council meetings - what a horrible-seeming person: arrogant, rude, entitled, none-too-smart. Whatever she's "achieved" she's achieved through nepotism. Our president can't even handle her own personal finances. Can't wait til she self-destructs.
LET HER FIND A JOB SOMEWHERE ELSE
REPLACE HER
THIS WOMAN IS SO IMPORTANT THAT SHE CAN FIND A JOB IN ANOTHER CITY.LET HER TRY
She can't handle her personal finances, including her $95,000 mortgage. I wonder if her bill collectors call her Stephanie.
Well, if you click on her campaign website, she is just plain "Stephanie." So I guess it's one name before she's elected and another after. Humble before. Arrogant after. Shall we simply call her public servant Stephanie Rawlings Blake, or Servant Blake for short?
listen, steve (i'd address you by mr. but as you have not disclosed your full name, not possible). i too become a bit agitated if someone thinks they can just call me by my first name w/o an established first-name-basis level of a relationship. but let's face it, this is 2010. it's Baltimore. it's not 1959 in Savannah, Georgia. it happens. some people use it to demonstrate they like you, consider befriending you. there's no need for stephanie or you to get all tied up in knots about it. a simple "ms. Rawlings-Blake, please" or "i'd prefer you to call me Ms. Rawlings-Blake" or "Councilwoman, please" or a myriad of other pleasant quick corrections would have sufficed. really, there was no need to have expended such mean energy and improper social norm into the situations... ironic for someone who seems to be such a stickler for propriety. shame on you.
Mrs. Rawlings-Blake was correct in requesting the woman not to call her by her first name. As a culture, we are becoming very "informal" and are ignoring the rules when decorm and protocal is necessary. (Once upon a time, it was common sense to publically address a person in office by their formal title.) I guess that is no longer the case.
Regarding the tone of how she said it...I was not there, so I cannot give an opinion on it. Granted, it is not what you say, but how you say it.
You don't say George, instead of President Bush; you won't address the Pope by his first name; you don't call the Queen of England - "Elizabeth" and there are many more you would not address that by their first name. She is an elected official just like Presidents Bush and Obama. She is the elected Council Chairperson and not a public pig. I agree with the proper addressing of herself. The ciitizen was being cute, arrogant, insulting and she knew it.
PS: I willing to bet you that most of these comments are by whites who don't care for a blacks anyhow. I'm glad lynching is illegal. Or is it?
just like the rest in s----- hall excuse me i mean city hall, she is stuck up and a wannabe high maintenance person, watch out hubby once she become mayor she will leave u, she just lokk like she is a----- because her daddy was a well known person, she was always gunning 4 dixon job, now i said dixon now i am saying rawlings, u aint all that, ----- 50 or more u might be ---. dont ever forget where u came from, remember u almost lost ur home dont get big bigger or biggest girl. u 2 can loose it all, aint nothing a guareentee no mo. ms. mack.
its not what u say its how u say it, i mean in a sense she could have said could u please adress me as what ever but she is to big 4 her britchess she will do something to disappointed b-more afterall aint nobody vote her mayor, she entitled that position because u know hoo just couldnt leave them gift cards to us needy, poor folks. lets see what disgrace she will bring upon our corrupted city, especially the hall, the main applescrapple, just stop being so stuck up girl, ur still being watched, u 2 can become a victim of society, u may become a regular folk again. east b-mores finest.
i mean just because she has some knowledge, degrees and whatnots, she shouldnt be mayor, i think she can learn more 2 me she dont have what it takes 4 that job, prez city councilwoman yea and remember like someone said we didnt vote her in she was entitled that position because sheila got caught, what ever happen 2 real leaders, entitlement doesnt make u a good mayor, but i think she is really smart and intelligent but not enough to run thiswhole entire corrupt town, but thats just my opinion, i am entitled.
you say she's not qualified....plz...was sheila dixon...?...her family has history in politics and she's doing what she can...! i believe what she said was straight to the point and things would be better if alot of people were like this...she could have re phrased it but she said it...its a done deal....stop making big issues outta stuff...live your life swhe's living hers....!
Given the nature of the situation, I find it ironic that I would have to address this...My name is not Laura Richardson and there is more to the story than anyone would ever dream.
Call me whatever you'd like,
Queen Kelly Ann
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