SC+2016+Ray+Flynn

Raymond Flynn

Aim:  Raymond Flynn was known as a very involved neighborly politician. In 1984, an article wrote, " Boston is a city that has always made politics something of a religion, and Ray Flynn occupies the top job in its political hierarchy. He is His Honor the Mayor" (Ryan). Flynn was admired as more than politician. He was known for taking action and addressing problems, as opposed to all talk about policies. His course of actions included his mission to desegregate schools and decrease downtown Boston's power and evenly distribute it to also the blue-collar neighborhoods. He was elected the 46th Mayor of Boston in 1983 and continued for three terms. He stepped down as Mayor in 1993, because he was nominated to be the US Ambassador to the Vatican. He gladly accepted, expecting to be the involved messenger for the Pope and President. However, he saw that his job was less as a reliable secondary source and more of an everyday valet assistant. Because he was very passionate in the helping of communities and making change for the better, he decided to leave his position at the Vatican in 1997 and referred back to politics. In 1998, he ran for the Massachusetts 8th Congressional District seat, but it was unsuccessful. Throughout his career, he was also Co-Chairman of the Alexis de Tocqueville Institution, a member of the Massachusetts State House of Representatives, a member of the Boston City Council, President of the Catholics Alliance, and Vice President of Your Catholic Voice. Lastly, in 2004, Flynn became the National Chairman of the Catholic Citizenship. He will be remembered for his neighborly actions, consideration and care for all of Boston.

Written by: Tianna Pinkney Ryan, Michael. "Ray Flynn." //People//. Time Inc., 1 Oct. 1984. Web. 4 Jan 2016.

Audience:

 The intended audience of Mayor Raymond Flynn was the city of Boston, Massachusetts. In Niebuhr's news article Ray Flynn to Head Catholic Group with Conservative Roots, Flynn stated, “I think they want a leadership that is more in tune, more focused on Catholic social teaching” (Flynn). Ray Flynn’s audience respected his actions and felt as if he was a fair mayor to society. Flynn believed in focusing on the poor, immigrants, and also wanted to continue opposing abortion. The audience of the Mayor Raymond Flynn appreciated his beliefs because the beliefs protected human life. Ray Flynn also created the Catholic Alliance in October of 1955 which contributed to the Christian Coalition. This organization encouraged the Catholics to participate in national, local, and state affairs. Having this action present from Ray Flynn shows that Flynn wanted the government to run smoothly. This benefits his audience by making less conflict and also taking different beliefs into consideration. Ray Flynn affected the city of Boston, Massachusetts positively by focusing on actions that affected the government, taking the different views from Catholics and Christians into consideration, and coming to an agreement between the two to create a fair government.

Written by: Ajia Barnes Niebur, Gustav. “Ray Flynn to Head Catholic Groups with Conservative Roots.” //The New York Times// March 1999: Print. Web. 5 Jan 2016.

Historical:

 Raymond Flynn impacted Boston history because he influenced people to escape from the media’s trap and gave a voice to the poor citizens of South Boston. In the article “Ray Flynn Salutes Activists of Mass” the author asserts that, “My message is we have to get people more actively involved in governments and in their communities. If it's the America First party, that's fine. If it is the church, that's fine. If it's coaching little league, that's fine” (Oliver 1). Raymond Flynn understood politics very well and he knew that the government is a corrupt system. He understood that the government takes advantage of the poor. By influencing the poor citizens of South Boston to get involved with the government, he gave them a voice. The Olympics were to be held in Boston, giving the government a profit, but Flynn essentially created a petition saying that Boston does not want the Olympics to be held there. This was all because the poor citizens had the courage to stand up to the government and in essence Flynn gave the citizens a voice. It impacted Boston because it allowed the citizens to understand that they are a part of the government and not controlled by the government.

 Written by: Devin Shim  Oliver, Ed. “Ray Flynn Salutes Activists of Mass.” //America First Party//. Web. 5 Jan 2016.

 Cultural:

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"> Mayor Raymond Flynn had a large impact on Boston culture and how the citizens viewed each other and their race. Mayor Flynn worked hard to implement racial equality and to establish a connection within the citizens and their mixed cultures. In the article it says “During Flynn’s administration, Boston built more affordable housing than another other similarly sized city in America. This was what made Flynn a great mayor. He focused on the neighborhoods and on housing. He helped to unite a heavily divided city”(O’Riordan 1). The work done by Flynn as mayor provided the cultural meshing that was very rare during this time. With the Busing and racial tensions that were very prominent during this time, races and citizens divided themselves into their own groups, causing violence and turmoil. Flynn's ability to regroup and heal a culture like this is what made him stand out and gave him the popularity and respect that the citizens of South Boston have.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"> Written by: Trevor Crain <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"> O’Riordan, Margot. “Boston Massacres final project- Interview with Ray Flynn.” //Boston Heritage of a City//. n.p, 4 May 2015. Web. 4 Jan 2016.