Ya Heard: What jail time means for 'Hip-Hop Mayor'

"If there is something to pardon in everything, there is also something to con-demn."

-- Friedrich Nietzsche

Former Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick was released from jail this week, following a 100-day sentence in a Michigan detention center.

In 2002, at age 31, Kilpatrick became the youngest person to be elected mayor in Detroit's history. Kilpatrick, a young black man with a flashy swagger, earned unofficial title "The Hip-Hop Mayor." Last year, "The Hip Hop Mayor" pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice charges, stemming from an extramarital affair he was having with his chief of staff, Chris-tine Beatty.

Allegedly, the married Kilpatrick used city resources and engaged in irresponsible behavior while attempting to cover up his affair with Beatty. He is rumored to have even fired city employees suspected of not keeping the mayor's little secret.

Eventually, a large number of text messages between Kilpatrick and Beatty were revealed in court and prompted Kilpatrick to plead guilty. As a result of his plea, Kilpatrick resigned from his office, was sentenced to 100 days in jail, five years probation and $1 million in restitution.

Funny thing is I do not believe this will be the last we hear from the former "Hip-Hop Mayor." If anything, this may boost his popularity in the largely black communities in Detroit. His adultery may prove to endear him to the community even more. In a twisted sense, cases such as these tend to make the politician seem more personable. Bill Clinton won the esteem of many younger voters when it became known he "experimented" with marijuana as a teenager. Although, he "did not inhale," the thought of the then presidential candidate did wonders to show his human qualities in a stiff political arena. Just as so, prior to the affair and the lies, Kilpatrick was a little-known mayor from Detroit, now he is practically a household name.

It seems some politicians can do no wrong. From Bill Clinton's extramarital affair to Marion Barry's filmed drug use, it seems these things have a way of benefiting the wrongdoers. For whatever the reason, the question lies in the people being governed. How much will be tolerated? Is a second chance always warranted?

Former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer was forced to resign after the public learned of his in-volvment in a prostitution ring. In Spitzer's case, his foul didn't exactly help his politi-cal career. In all actuality, it probably ended it. It seems the constituents he once governed would not tolerate that type of behavior in public office.

I have no doubt in my mind that Kwame Kilpatrick will make his way back into politics and some people will welcome him with open arms. Reminiscent of Mayor Barry's re-election in 1994 following the infamous "motel room" raid, the "Hip-Hop Mayor" will likely reign again. I do not judge him or those who continue to support him, but I do wonder where the line should be drawn.

We forget and forgive crooked politicians, yet we continually ask for change in politically crooked cities. If Kilpatrick makes a comeback in a city such as Detroit in the same manner Barry did in D.C., what message will that send? While second chances and redemption are great, the conduct of a public official should be heavily guarded…especially in cities such as Detroit, which have a lot of work to be done in order to drop the crime rate, early parenthood-rate and stagnation-rate. One thing is for sure; the people of New York will not welcome him in their government build-ings…'Til next week, Peace!!!

Dennis Winn can be reached at 703-200-4928 or YaHeard40@gmail.com.