Burroughs-White: Council often votes along racial lines
(This email was sent from Greensboro City Councilwoman Claudette Burroughs-White to the rest of the council last Thursday. More on this topic here)
I have found the feedback via newspaper, community comments and Sandy's Blog to be very interesting. There seems to be an assumption that I was a part of an agreement not to move this matter further. Which is not the case. I met with Keith last week and endorsed the idea of a win-win resolution. I left the meeting with the impression that this resolution would be discussed with other Council members. I was never contacted again and came to the Council meeting Tuesday expecting to vote on the resolution. It was just before the meeting that I found that this was not the case. I advised the Mayor at that point that I would move to vote on the issue. Your gentleman's agreement was presumed and I am concerned that Sandy cannot trust me and that others of you who have verbalized that to the News & Record, etc. That being the case, it's unfortunate. I am not aware of trust being a factor when people vote their opinion. It's always been my choice and I never comment negatively when persons don't agree, that's your right. I will move forward as always, hearing your concerns, sharing feelings, but always doing what I think is the right thing for me and my constituents.
The record will show that quite often we do vote along racial lines when it comes to sensitive issues involving social challenges. And Tom, I am always thankful for the vote on the landfill, but I do remember the years it took to get there. At 65 years old, I also live the history of disparity and division. That history still prevails in many ways. I am always bothered when that notion is rejected. It would be nice to acknowledge it so people could move forward. It's hard to resolve challenges if people refuse to acknowledge them and it's hurtful to be discounted because your experience and perceptions are different. Thus Greesnboro has to deal with this.
Again, I believe:
In any case our community stays entrenched and we move on. I sincerely hope our Council doesn't get stuck. I will make it clear at our next meeting. I also though we had agreed when the matter was continued that we would resolve the matter on the April 19th meeting. It was over at the March meeting, it's not over now. I hope each of you will encourage people to be heard by the Commission, if they desire. I also hope the behavior of council is not challenged by our different opinions.
Claudette
Comments (1)
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Claudette's point about not confusing race with racism makes all the sense in the world.
While 1979 was not an incident involving the black and white races, to the black community the racism involved is very apparent.
She explains that fact very well for anyone willing to listen.
Posted on April 28, 2005 10:12 PM