COMMENTARY
CAN THIS COMMUNITY AFFORD THIS?
By Willie Fleming
I am sure you are
well aware of the
events in Ferguson,
Missouri. What
may not be so clear
are the underlying
structural causes
that led to the
tragic outcome
and community unrest that our nation
witnessed in Ferguson.
Some may point to the grinding poverty
or the lack of opportunity in the
community, while others may comment
on the challenges of single parent
households and the difficulty of such a
situation.
What is clear; however, is that we will
not make progress with our diverse
populations in America, North Carolina
or right here in Chatham County unless
we make a commitment for progress,
justice and equal opportunity.
Years ago the Chatham County
Commissioners passed a resolution
condemning race based violence
after one of its members, Rev. Carl
Thompson, was apparently a target of
racist graffiti.
Subsequently, the County set up a
Human Relations Commission and hired
a director to address such issues in the
community and promote “amicable
relations and mutual respect among
all groups within Chatham County”
and “to facilitate the prevention and/
or resolution of problems in areas
affecting human relations of all citizens
residing, working, or trading in Chatham
County.”
These were laudable goals.
Unfortunately the leadership of this
board chose to eliminate the staff
position and in 2011 the members of
the Chatham County Human Relations
Commission resigned as a form of
protest.
From the outside it appeared that
Chatham County was making progress.
Can this community afford to be penny
wise and pound foolish regarding its
human relations? One Ferguson-type
event would economically undue much
of the progress that has occurred over
the past decade.
Certainly the board’s resolution
recognizing February as “AfricanAmerican History month” is well
received by the community, but beyond
the lofty goals and whereas clauses in
the document needs to be action that
indicates that the leadership of the
County not only “talks the talk” but also
“walks the walk”.
Other communities are also struggling
with this thorny issue and we have
witnessed such insults as Buncombe
County’s own GOP executive committee
member, Don Yelton, referring to
my community as “lazy blacks” and
recently the disrespect that GOP County
Commissioner, Hood Richardson, hurled
at Beaufort County’s African-American
Chairman, Jerry Langley, when he was
gaveled out of order and replied “yes
Massa”.
You may believe that these comments
have no bearing on your community,
but they are indicative of a way of
thinking that unfortunately if left
unchecked or unchallenged can lead to
bigger problems.
Can Chatham County afford this?
I can only hope that with the growth
the community will be experiencing that
you will reconsider your past decisions
regarding the Human Relations
Commission and move to funding the
department again as a way to prevent
problems from occurring and lead from
a position of strength as opposed to
fear and austerity.
Willie Fleming
President - African-American Caucus
North Carolina Democratic Party
TESTOSTERONE IN OVERDRIVE
By Dr. Ada M. Fisher
Though Ray Rice
is dominating the
headlines for domestic
battery, he hasn’t been
alone and the rush to
trial by press shouldn’t
neglect some equally
heinous actions of
others allowed to keep
their positions and go on to fame and
glory.
Michael Strahan was accused by ex-wife
Jean Muggli of hitting her with a balled
fist yet he was just inducted into the
Hall of Fame and has gone on to riches
through football as well as seen daily on
the Kelly and Michael morning television
show…adored by too many female fans.
Steve Harvey who likes to fix women up
was accused by his ex-wife Mary Harvey
of physical and mental abuse; yet he too
has made it big time while keeping a lot
of cookies for himself. And don’t forget
Rice’s Baltimore Ravens teammate Ray
Lewis, accused of murder, whose bloody
white suit was never found while he
copped a plea in exchange for testimony
against his coconspirators who were
both later acquitted. In the face of
questionable justice, Lewis was allowed
to continue his career in football, be
inducted into the Hall of Fame and have
his statue placed in front of the M&T
Bank Stadium.
In Ferguson, Missouri or Miami Gardens,
Florida the case of unarmed black young
men dying at the hands of those unlike
them with a gun receives publicity while
the rampant black on black crime goes
neglected by those leaders seeking
the headlines without yelling - Enough,
Stop the Madness!! Many male on male
homicides can be interpreted as suicidal
actions. In despair and hopelessness
too many males are showing misplaced
anger through rioting. But they are
not alone on either side of the gun or
weapons of mass destruction.
Terrorist known as ISIS, which as an
acronym, is an insult to the greatest of
MUHAMMAD’S ECONOMIC BLUEPRINT: ENDING POVERTY & WANT
Our common mantra as
a people is, “We need
unity.”
You should be made
aware that there is a
great work being done
to, not only, unite behind
a common agenda,
but, also guide us into
the pooling of our resources for our
collective good.
Muhammad’s Economic Blueprint will
allow us to help ourselves in the battle
to create jobs and end poverty and want.
Under this wise economic plan, we can
use the collective power of our dollars to
build a future for ourselves.
6
Pooling resources to achieve a common
goal is a universal concept that makes a
lot of sense. Why?
Analysts say the wealthy elite and
politically powerful have forgotten
about Black America, and the poor in the
United States.
“Everyone can give 35 cents a week as
an investment in their future. It would be
painless.” Minister Louis Farrakhan
Owning land and cultivating it to
produce from the