Nike Burning Mayor is Embarrassing City
by Jeff Thomas
Racism and Ignorance in Kenner Government on Display
That the Mayor of Kenner is a Nike burning racist is only mildly surprising. Most racists are also conservative Republicans. While not all conservative Republicans are racist, Ben Zahn is a right winger extraordinaire. That he is so blatant is reminiscent of David Duke’s tenure as a state representative from the same parish. But that racism has no place in government. It is illegal to discriminate on the basis of race. And Zahn’s state sanctioned edict is a 21st century Jim Crow policy.
But you say, that’s a stretch. Is it really? Nike just gave Colin Kaepernick one of the biggest deals in the company’s history and made him the face of the company. Kaepernick is protesting police violence and advocating through these ads that people should risk everything for what they believe in. Kaepernick is a civil rights leader who promotes social justice and equity. Back in June, Zahn promised to make Kenner a “destination city”. Officially the city of Kenner is now a hotbed for racist zealots. Is Zahn one of the secret group of racists who want to infiltrate municipalities and retract civil rights from African Americans?
Kenner Mayor Ben Zahn has every right to espouse racist rants about a man who is simply protesting police brutality and social injustice. But he should do it as a private citizen. Zahn’s bigotry should not be a part of the policy of the city of Kenner. What’s next for the man who wants to Make Kenner Great? African American curfews? How about just randomly jailing black men, because – hey they are gonna do something wrong. This slippery slope of racist policy must be stopped.
Zahn has refused to comment, but sources say he is adamant about keeping the policy. Ben Zahn’s bigotry is intransigent. And his policy of bigotry is in vogue in parts of American government on the national stage. Zahn already espouses making Kenner Great rhetoric. Is this really code for his racist agenda? As Republicans get a firmer grip across all government offices, blatant policies couched in the fervent and more public racism of today will deepen the divide in society today. Racial strife is sure to follow. Kenner deserves better.
But Kenner is a racially diverse city. And Zahn received a considerable amount of the black vote when he was elected. Fortunately, Councilman Gregory Carroll has expressed dismay and says he is “100% against” the racist policy. No other council person has made any public comments. Silence is acquiescence. Only when good people stand up to bigotry does it die.
Zahn has said he wants to develop attractions for people to go to Kenner. How does he expect people of good will to visit a city of bigotry? And why would new businesses want to invest in a city whose government is led by narrow minded racists who support police brutality and social injustice. The city leaders should do the right thing and reverse this perverse, illegal and discriminatory rule. And Ben Zahn should fully retract his memo or resign as his racism is better served with his skin head brethren than the good people of Kenner, LA.
Jeff Thomas
Publisher • Opinion Columnist • Licensed General Contractor • Real Estate Appraiser • New Orleans
Jeff Thomas is the publisher of Black Source Media and one of New Orleans’ most direct voices on civic affairs, economic justice, and Louisiana politics. He writes from the intersection of experience and accountability — as a licensed general contractor,a tech company founder and executive with over 30 years experience, and a businessman who has worked across the city’s civic, media, and construction ecosystems for decades.
His Sunday column covers Louisiana legislative politics, insurance discrimination, housing policy, and the forces shaping Black community life in New Orleans and across the state. Thomas writes in the tradition of Black journalists who hold power accountable without apology — building arguments from data, delivering verdicts from evidence, and speaking to Black New Orleans with the directness the moment demands.
He is also the principal of EA Inspection Services, LLC, a government inspection services company. Black Source Media is his platform for the civic conversation New Orleans has needed and too rarely had.
Selected Articles by Jeff Thomas
Black Neighborhoods Pay the Highest Insurance Rates in Louisiana. Here’s What They Don’t Want You to Know.
They Didn’t Yell the N-Word. They Went to Law School, Bided Their Time, and Rewrote the Constitution Instead.
Vappie vs. Morrell: Why Does Justice Look Different in New Orleans?
The State Has the Money. New Orleans East Just Needs Them to Use It.
The Failure of Mitch Landrieu
Publisher — Black Source Media
Jeff Thomas
Publisher • Opinion Columnist • Licensed General Contractor • Real Estate Appraiser • New Orleans
Jeff Thomas is the publisher of Black Source Media and one of New Orleans’ most direct voices on civic affairs, economic justice, and Louisiana politics. He writes from the intersection of experience and accountability — as a licensed general contractor,a tech company founder and executive with over 30 years experience, and a businessman who has worked across the city’s civic, media, and construction ecosystems for decades.
His Sunday column covers Louisiana legislative politics, insurance discrimination, housing policy, and the forces shaping Black community life in New Orleans and across the state. Thomas writes in the tradition of Black journalists who hold power accountable without apology — building arguments from data, delivering verdicts from evidence, and speaking to Black New Orleans with the directness the moment demands.
He is also the principal of EA Inspection Services, LLC, a government inspection services company. Black Source Media is his platform for the civic conversation New Orleans has needed and too rarely had.
Selected Articles by Jeff Thomas
Black Neighborhoods Pay the Highest Insurance Rates in Louisiana. Here’s What They Don’t Want You to Know.
They Didn’t Yell the N-Word. They Went to Law School, Bided Their Time, and Rewrote the Constitution Instead.
Vappie vs. Morrell: Why Does Justice Look Different in New Orleans?
The State Has the Money. New Orleans East Just Needs Them to Use It.
The Failure of Mitch Landrieu
Asante Sana for pulling the covers off of that sucker, this should be a Wake Up Call for the good people to remember when he attemp to run for reelection for any public office! Yes, bro.Thomas you call Mayor Hkan
Thanks Again for keeping us informed