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I say it must have been a lapse of memory or weak moments of blind trust in thinking that all mankind was good and kept their promises and this is how I account for Percy's defeat when he ran for Mayor of New York.

Some folks say the time was not right but how right could one get? Wasn't Percy considered the most popular member of the Board of Estimates and wasn't his showmanship admired by all his fellow legislators?

Then again how right can the times be? Other large urban cities with a large Black population had done it? Wasn't there Cleveland, Gary, Atlanta and Newark and Los Angeles showing the way?

The odds, too high, were not insurmoutable.

Others say Percy should have known--he had come from a background of being rejected even times by his constituents before he was elected to his first public office--A member of the State Assembly--And from there his popularity had made him the logical choice to succeed Mrs. Motley when she resigned the office to become a Federal judge.

Wasn't Percy aware of the internecine warfare which always arose when one sought Public office?

Others thought the step could be easily made because of Percy's popularity--But being popular others argue, also had its price. Didn't Percy suffer a crushing defeat when he was not able to convince his white counterparts of his position on Forest Hill housing project.

And even although he had gone to Russia and had protested on behalf of Russian Jews--When that fearful
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