"We gave her a list of concerns and have received no response," said Patterson, pastor of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Anchorage.
Concerns presented by this group included hiring minorities at all levels of state government plus contracting and employment practices in the upcoming pipeline construction project.
"She is basically a housewife who looses her temper when she's not getting her way."
This group also invited Palin to participate in a town meeting during the summer with other racial and ethnic minorities in Alaska to discuss issues of import including economic growth, educational deficiencies, family disintegration and young gang problems. Palin spurned this invitation.
"She has not met with us since that March meeting," Patterson said. "I think she was intimidated by us not being intimidated by her. From my perspective, she is basically a housewife who looses her temper when she's not getting her way."
A person from the area of Wasilla where Palin served as mayor said she's very vindictive, a behavior pattern that chills criticism of her.
While commending Palin as an enchanting person with maverick ways, the person said "Sarah is not ready" for the office she holds or higher office. This person did note that Palin's employment practices may not be as discriminatory as they appear because "she is devoted to her people and there are few blacks in Wasilla."
Sarah Palin burst on the national stage as Senator McCain's running mate during the GOP Convention that had the lowest number of black delegates in forty years.
With Palin's failing relations with blacks in Alaska, some might cynically see this as part of her pick by McCain who's received an F on the NAACP Congressional Report Card during 11 of the past 13 reporting periods. (During McCain's two runs for president the NAACP provided no grade for McCain.)
McCain's scores on supporting issues important to the NAACP ranks lower than conservative Senators Trent Lott of Mississippi and Orin Hatch of Utah.
Palin's rocky relations with blacks mirrors relations with Alaska's Native Peoples according to the September 12, 2008 Counterpunch article by Lloyd Miller.
Bishop Thomas and many others in Alaska feel "blacks are not being treated fairly" by Gov. Palin.
"This governor does not deal with minorities well," Thomas said. "We have to examine how she will act as Vice-President and if by chance she becomes President."
Linn Washington Jr. is a columnist for The Philadelphia Tribune newspaper.
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
