Page 10 - Florida Sentinel 2-14-20

All About You!
An Exclusive Interview With Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick
BY CLARENCE BARR, II
Eighteen years ago, Kwame Kilpatrick was a political superstar. Elected to the office of mayor for the City of Detroit at 31, in 2002, Kil- patrick became the youngest chief executive of a major city in United States history.
Due to his youth, charisma and hipness, Kilpatrick was affectionately nicknamed the "hip-hop" mayor by legendary rap mogul Russell Sim- mons. Much like former President Barack Obama, Kilpatrick's success moti- vated a nation of aspiring Black professionals who were inspired by what he was able to achieve.
As a product of an HBCU education (Kilpatrick is a graduate of Florida A&M Uni-
versity) and hailing from a middle class inner city neigh- borhood, Kilpatrick was viewed by many as a textbook example that anything is pos- sible with the right amount of determination.
Unfortunately, for those who looked to him as a symbol of hope, Kilpatrick's mete- oric rise would be cut short by a scandal involving an extra- marital affair that forced him to resign and later a federal in- dictment that ended with the once promising politician being convicted on corruption charges and sentenced to 28 years in prison in 2013.
Currently, Kilpatrick is serving his sentence inside of a federal prison in Oakdale, Louisiana. It is the third com- plex he's called home in the last 7 years.
KWAME KILPATRICK
During his incarceration Kilpatrick has changed dras- tically, both physically and mentally. His once rotund 6'4'' 310 pound frame has been dramatically reduced to a slen- der 260 pounds and the cocky, flamboyant persona that was often highlighted in news re- ports, has been replaced by a much humbler version of him- self.
This writer caught up with
Kilpatrick in a prison library. It is a place the former mayor never envisioned finding him- self and one in which he has fi- nally decided to tell his side of the story after years of silence. Itissafetosaythathehasalot to get off his chest.
What is the biggest misconception people have about you? "I think, because of the niggerization process that has been used against me, people see me as some kind of crime boss. But none of that type of behavior is in my background."
Why did it take so long for you to come forward with your version of events? "I know timing is everything. It took a while for GodtotrulyworkinmeasI needed... as He needed. And I've finally been released by Him to tell my story.
In some of the documents released by The Free Kwame Project there is the suggestion that you were tar- geted from the very beginning of your term. Why do you feel that was the case?
"I took office on January 1st 2002. A federal investiga- tion was opened up against me on February 6th 2002. That investigation lasted 12 years. There's nothing in my current case from the portion of the in- vestigation that transpired be- tween 2002 to 2005. So it was just open to target me, to tap my phone, to wiretap me, to harass members of my family, my friends and business asso- ciates from the time I took of- fice."
Do you have any idea who wanted you out? "I don't know who. But there's one thing that I agree with Donald Trump on. That is, the F.B.I. and U.S. Attorney's Offices are filled with corrup- tion and wickedness. I know in politics selfish ambition drives men and women to do some very evil things."
Before your downfall you were known as a playboy. Some of the accounts involv- ing sexual encounters in your office were pretty wild. The Black Bill Clinton some people called you. How would you describe yourself now compared to then?
“The Black Bill Clin- ton? Wow. I never heard that. But I can say that, then, I was a very sinful man, particularly in the area of adultery and sex- ual immorality. Quite hon- estly, I was a liar and cheater when it concerned my wife and family. Today, through a lot of pain, suffering, calamity and the renewing resurrecting
spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ, I'm healed. And that's not only something, through the grace of God that I know but my children, my parents and my family know as well.”
If you could look back to one of the mistakes you made during your time as mayor that ultimately led to your current situation, what would you say it was? "It's not one mistake as much as it was one very de- formed understanding. And that is of loyalty. Instead of being loyal to the concepts of moral excellence and of being my word, I was more loyal to human beings associates and friends who were struggling with the same sinful issues I had. But the difference is that the people of Detroit gave me their trust to place them be- fore a circle of friends and as- sociates. And my deformed understanding violated their trust."
Do you take any re- sponsibility for what tran- spired? "These weren't criminal issues. But this flawed thinking opened the door to great character issues. I take full responsibility for the seriously sinful character is- sues. But this, in turn, made it very difficult to defend myself against the criminal issues."
What Is Your Biggest re- gret about how things turned out. "My biggest regret is be- traying my wife and children through sin and adultery. Be- yond anything else that has happened to me, it remains my deepest regret. I don't miss being mayor of Detroit at all. But everything in me misses being a husband and present father to my children."
What do you hope to accomplish going for- ward? "I think the biggest thing that has been awakened in my soul is the understand- ing that politics itself is never going to create the transfor- mation we need within the souls, families, and communi- ties of African American peo- ple in this country. We truly need a spiritual revolution of our hearts and minds. And that's a battle I want to be on the front lines of.
"Politics won't stop these young guys from shooting each other. But a transforma- tion in their hearts and minds will. I've seen that change and have been a part of that change behind these prison walls. And I believe that God will be a part of this critically important battle in communi- ties across the United States very soon."
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