News-Record.com

"Over the past 10 years, I've watched the revitalization of the downtown area including a new ballpark, the Center City Park, the Children's Museum and a new downtown library."

Skip & Earl were not in charge of those projects.

Sure I can. Can the lte explain where all the taxpayers money has gone.

Just a few questions:

How much money is needed to "finish" the museum?

Where will this money come from?

Will this be a self-supporting museum? If not, how will it be maintained?

Who will operate the museum?

How will it benefit the general population of Greensboro?

How many people are expected to visit the museum?

How much money has already been put into the museum's establishment?

Since the students who led the protest were students at A&T, wouldn't this be a great project for A&T and its alumni to undertake. They could raise the funds, create the museum, and operate it.

The display currently in the downtown museum should be enough. It doesn't deserve it's own museum any more than "the drug store" or any other display within the museum.
The Woolworths building would require much money to open, then endless taxpayer funds to operate. I do not think it would ever be self-supporting.
It just not that important to most people.

My initial reaction is similar to Dan's. As long as Skip & Earl have access to any funding for the project, the general public will have nothing to do with it. Both men, but especially Skip Alston, have less than a stellar reputation for handling the taxpayers' monies. In fact, Skip has been accused of misappropriating money in more than one of his schemes. And he has never accounted for over 800,000 dollars that was suppose to be used to upgrade public housing to my knowledge. In short, the public does not trust him.

I am quite sure both these men are aware of how the public feels about contributing any money to finish the Woolworth project as long as they are involved. If they were serious about wanting this project to go forward, they would volunteer to step aside and sever all ties with the project. Apparently playing the race card is the priority.

Sinkhole

There have been some very interesting posts on this topic. Should A&T alumni, faculty, administration and the current students spearhead the fundraising to complete the museum? Yes. Should A&T operate the museum? No. They are in the business of educating students - not operating museums. ML King Jr'.'s children, especially the sons, proved that they were not well suited to operating a museum. As with the King Center, the Smithsonian should come in and take over the operation of the museum. It is what they do and they do it well.

Ghost from White Oak said that "It just not that important to most people." Ghost, you are not the museum's target audience. Your statement highlights your mindset on this issue and I think that it prevents you from appreciating what the museum is really about.

It is going to take the African American community to put the pressure on Mr. Jones and Mr. Alston to get them to move on this project. Mr. Jones and Mr. Alston for the most part, are going to dismiss any criticism that is directed at them from non-African American communities. They are immediately going to label the criticism as racist. The unfortunate part of this issue, is that the unbelievable courage that those four, NC A&T students had to muster on that day, is being overshadowed by the selfishness and egotism of Mr. Jones and Mr. Alston. I've said it before, the NC A&T Four and the other participants in the Civil Rights Movement deserve more than they are being shown by Mr. Jones and Mr. Alston.

Nancy lives in a $250-$400K Neighborhood in NW Greensboro. I think she should go door to door to her neighbors and take up a collection.

I agree with conundrum regarding the four students who sat down at that lunch counter in Woolworth's that day. They had to be well disciplined and brave to take that step for future generations. And their bravery is not being celebrated in the manner it should be. Earl and Skip are a hindrance to that celebration.

I was a student at HP Central when the first black students integrated that school. Brenda Fountain, her sister and two males were the first as I recall. I remember Brenda's name because I had chorus with her. She was low-key in manner but had to have a backbone of steel. I asked myself then as I do now if I would have had the courage to do likewise.

People who pave the path for those who come after them should be recognized for their contributions, imo. And their courage should not go unrecognized because of a couple of egotistical, self-serving members of their own race.

Do any of you bloggers know the answer to my questions? I really want to know and am too lazy to look it up.

From the N&R, Allen Johnson

People will find all kinds of reasons not to support the project. These are a few I've heard::

1. Its books are questionable.
2. Skip and Earl.
3. African American-run projects inevitably mismanage money.
4.. They built the Empire State Building in 13 months (actually, one year and 45 days). Why has this little building taken so long? (courtesy of City Councilman Mike Barber.)
5. The voters said no in two bond referendums. They clearly don't want the museum.
6. Skip and Earl.
7. It won't generate the type of interest its supporters allege.
8. Why hasn't the black community stepped up to support it in greater numbers?
9. The project is too ambitious; they need to scale it back, even put it somewhere else.
10. Skip and Earl.

My responses:
1. The books are viewable at the Community Foundation.
2. Skip Alston and Earl Jones can be politically polarizing. Some supporters of the museum had hoped that they would step gracefully aside. They won't. That said, letting dislike for these two men stand in the way of such an important historic jewel is petty.
3. I won't dignify that one with a response. But I've gotten this one from several callers.
4. Yes, Mike's right. They built the Empire State Building in 13 months. But the Empire State Building was not hurting for money nor did it involve the renovation of a building sitting atop an underground stream.
Further, the Empire State Building involved 3,400 construction workers, five of whom died during the project.
And it had its own problems. It was nicknamed the Empty State Building for its inablity to attract tenants and did not turn a profit until 1950.
5. The voters said no to the bonds, they didn't say no to the museum. In addition, some project wind up on the ballot multiple times before they are approved by voters.
There's more, but you get the idea.
6. See No. 2
7. That remains to be seen. I expect it would do well once it open, especially given its affiliation with Smithsonian.
8. That's a valid point. The museum belongs to the whole community but the black community could step up to support it in a more forceful way.
9. The museum deserves to be done right. That doesn't mean a phase of it couldn't open before total completion, to begin generating revenue, as some folks have suggested.
10. See No. 2

We need to get this thing done. There is no excuse.

Of course, Skip doesn't help when he says things like this, quoted at JR's blog.

Ghost,
No, you are not the museum's target audience...just your money.

Conundrum said: "Mr. Jones and Mr. Alston for the most part, are going to dismiss any criticism that is directed at them from non-African American communities. They are immediately going to label the criticism as racist."

Agreed conundrum, unfortunately you are guilty of the exact same offense of which you chastise Skip and Earl. If I may quote from your Feb. 11 post directed at me:

"You can use all of the eloquent words and phrases that you want, but when you strip away your veneer, you are a small minded racist at your core."

That aside, as the "non-African American" community is helpless in effectuating change in direction of the Civil Rights Museum, please update us on the efforts of the "African American" communities resolve to oust these two egocentric charlatans.

Does this mean, as a white guy, I can call myself a "non-African American"??

Dan, we are going to have to agree to disagree on my perception of your intolerance when it comes to racial issues. It’s my opinion. It doesn’t mean that I am right or wrong. It’s the opinion that I’ve formed of you based on the things that you have posted in the past. You think that I play the “race card.” I think that I don’t. But, you are entitled to your opinion. As far as your calling yourself a “non-African American,” you should call yourself whatever makes you comfortable. I’ve included several comments that can maybe help you understand. The first quote is by Alan Keyes. I don’t think that I’ve ever agreed with anything that he’s said, but there’s always a first.

"My ancestors toiled in slavery in this country," Mr. Keyes said. "My consciousness, who I am as a person, has been shaped by my struggle, deeply emotional and deeply painful, with the reality of that heritage."

“Some black Americans argue that black immigrants, like Mr. Kamus, and the children of immigrants, like Mr. Obama and Mr. Powell, are most certainly African-American. (Mr. Obama and Mr. Powell often use that term when describing themselves.)”

“Mr. Keyes's comments reflect the views of a number of black Americans, including those who challenged Mr. Kamus at the meeting on prostate cancer earlier this year. Many argued that the term African-American should refer to the descendents of slaves brought to the United States centuries ago, not to newcomers who have not inherited the legacy of bondage, segregation and legal discrimination.”

“It's a comfortable term for me personally and for people like me who are of African descent and have been in this nation for a long time," said Michael Lomax, the president of the United Negro College Fund.”

"It’s my opinion. It doesn’t mean that I am right or wrong."

o·pin·ion

A belief or judgment that rests on grounds insufficient to produce complete certainty.

Well you are correct, your opinion rests on insufficient grounds whereas I have more than sufficient grounds to know you are wrong. Perhaps you could choose your words more carefully, I see a distinct difference between, for example; "In my opinion you have racist attitudes" versus "you are a small minded racist at your core". Your term depicts definite certainty.

As for the term African-American, if you, Alan Keyes and anyone else for that matter want to use that term then go for it. I don't use it for a few reasons:

1) The term is used to describe only black people.

Af·ri·can-A·mer·i·can

A black American of African descent.

Granted there is the majority of the population of Africa is black, however most of the northern part of the continent is not. There are also white and people of other races of African descent who are American citizens. Therefore the term is inaccurate, you won't find an American of Moroccan descent use the term African-American in referring to him or herself.

2) While many black Americans feel a bond to Africa, many others do not. Last week I had a black woman in my office. She saw some photos on the wall from my trip to Tanzania. Like many others who do not know the wonders of such a place, her reply was "why would you want to go there"? (I get that question alot. Most ask if it was a missionary trip, when I reply it was a vacation I get some mighty strange looks). I asked her if she had an affinity to Africa, her reply was no, she is an American.

3) I find the term divisive, designed to separate us. If I insisted on being called an Irish-American it would be equally divisive. I prefer we all refer to ourselves as Americans.

Just my opinion of course :)

Is the race card something used in Nascar?

My guess is that African-American was coined in response to being called much worse things.

If Michael Lomax feels comfortable with the term, don't ya think it's time he led a move to change the name of the United Negro College Fund to the United African-American College Fund?

Oh, that's right, he might have to provide scholarships to Moroccans....

"...her reply was "why would you want to go there"? (I get that question alot. Most ask if it was a missionary trip, when I reply it was a vacation I get some mighty strange looks). I asked her if she had an affinity to Africa, her reply was no, she is an American." Dan, I am not surprised by this woman's reaction. To some blacks (I will appease you), "Africa" conjures up images of Tarzan, cannabalism, bones in noses and shrunken heads. Actually, the word "ignorance" comes to my mind when I think of her response. She has every right to consider herself an American. But, when she looks in the mirror, it should be rather apparent to her that her ancestors didn't come to these shores the way that your ancestors did. And, her ancestors didn't come from Europe, unless there was some Strom Thurmond/Thomas Jefferson miscegenation somewhere along the way.

Mr. Lawrence, the NAAC(olored) People and the United Negro College Fund are not going to change their names. The NAACP was started in the early 1900s. We were "colored" then. The UNCF was started in 1943. We were "negroes" then.

"Dan, I am not surprised by this woman's reaction."

Nor am I conundrum, got the same response by most people on the subject, black and white alike. I was so fascinated by Tanzania and it's people, it is by far the most memorable trip of my life. Return trips will be a certainty to Tanzania and other African countries, preferably with my wife and children next time.

We (my sister and I went) never saw Tarzan, cannablism, bones in noses nor shrunken heads. We did see indescribable scenery with wild animals, met and spent time with various wonderful people including the Massai, who live a very primitive lifestyle by choice and tradition.

*******************************************************

On a different note, please tell me what you think of Michelle Obama's quotes yesterday. There were two versions.

First:

Speaking in Milwaukee, Wis., on Monday, she said, “People in this country are ready for change and hungry for a different kind of politics and … for the first time in my adult life I am proud of my country because it feels like hope is finally making a comeback.”

Second:

Greeted with rousing applause after making the comment in Milwaukee, Obama delivered an amended version of the speech later that day in Madison, Wis.

“For the first time in my adult lifetime, I’m really proud of my country … not just because Barack has done well, but because I think people are hungry for change,” she said. “I have been desperate to see our country moving in that direction and just not feeling so alone in my frustration and disappointment.”

Hope and change, change and hope. The Obamas seem like really decent people, unlike the Clintons, yet I have a difficult time with a potential first lady stating she has not been proud of her country in the last 25 or so years, i.e. her adult life. It's still difficult to know how Obama would deal with the potential of Iran selling nuclear weapons to terrorists, hope and change won't work with Ahmadinejad.

Just curious on your thoughts conundrum.

Dan, I can't speak for Michelle Obama. But, I think that what she means when she says that "For the first time in my adult lifetime, I'm really proud of my country," is that African Americans (blacks if you will) have always wanted to be an integral part of this country, but were constantly reminded that we really were not an integral part. Her statement reminds me of the joke that Chris Rock tells about African Americans and their feeling towards America. Rock says that America is like the uncle who paid for your college education, but, you remember that he also molested you. I think it's telling that Michelle Obama, who has an Ivy League education, feels that way. She has more education than the average white woman, and way more than the typical black woman. I know the history of this country as it relates to its treatment of African Americans. If you truly want to understand where she is possibly coming from, I suggest that you read the following books:

1. From Slavery to Freedom: A History of African Americans by John Hope Franklin
2. Mirror to America: The Autobiography of John Hope Franklin
3. Rituals of Blood: Consequences of Slavery in Two American Centuries by Orlando Patterson
4. Race, Crime, and the Law by Randall Kennedy
5. Parting the Waters: America In the King Years 1954-1963 by Taylor Branch

This is just a drop in the bucket when it comes to books that can shed a light on what she is referring to. You should take advantage of a resource that you have in Greensboro. John Kilimanjaro, who is the founder of the Carolina Peacemaker, would be a great person for you to talk to.