Like Father, Like Son

Adam Clayton Powell IV. There are few greater pleasures in the world than watching Harlem politics. And the upcoming battle between Adam Clayton Powell, IV and ranking member on the Ways and Means Committee, Charlie Rangel, was going to be a battle of the superheavyweights. It was slated to be hotter than Sylvia's gumbo.

As the legend goes: Charlie Rangel humiliated Adam Powell's dad, the legendary Adam Clayton Powell, arguably the grandaddy of Harlem, a larger than life figure. Light-skinned, Powell passed for white, and ended up going to elite universities and moving in powerful circles. He wasa good looking man, and that helped him navigate in both the black and white worlds during the Civil Rights struggles, in Congress, representing Harlem

In his later years, alas, he became corrupt (on a Nigerian-Russian scale), carousing with busty women and whiskey instead of defending Harlem's interests in Congress during the crucial civil rights era. Rangel, it is said in legend, headed the delegation to Bimini sent to seperate Powell from the booze and chicks (party pooper!). Powell, allegedy, slapped Rangel in the face during the "impromptu intervention" and said, simply, "you do what you gotta do, baby"

And he did. In defeating Powell, which led to the great man's ruin on the cliffs of unfulfilled destiny, Rangel became the new biggest cat in the jungle in Harlem politics. Cut to a few decades later, the former great man's son, Adam Clayton Powell, IV, has come back to avenge the family name (like Andrew Cuomo, like George Bush the Younger). Powell was born of a Puerto Rican mother, and has a base in both black Harlem and the rising Latino demographic. Add the fact that he inherited his father's looks. The battle, as they say, was on like Gray Poupon

After Powell got elected to an Assembly seat, it was only a matter of time before WW III. Even Al Sharpton, angry that Rangel didn't support his presidential bid, .
threatened to inject himself on the side of Powell

But the rape allegations in a seedy Howard Johnson's that sufaced against Powell may have ended the dream. Just like his dad, and, perhaps just like Andrew Cuomo and George Bush the Younger.

Fathers and Sons ...

Funny how generational sagas tend to repeat themselves ...

(The Corsair contemplates Bill Clinton in his harlem office, on 125th street, in the summer, contemplating the kapow booty of the ladies that stroll that way in the poom-poom shorts. This isn't anemic DC flank -- no, this is Harlemworld USDA Ground round highwater booty. The Corsair feels profound sympathy for The Passion of Bill)