Wednesday, November 19, 2003

Blacks and ‘Faces’: Quit finding fault; find the facts

Reply to the letter: “Why no black faces in series?”

It never ceases to amaze me when someone brings up the race card. The gentleman who wrote the above-mentioned article seems to be upset that Bruce Jordan did not show a photo of a black person when writing about “The Faces That Built Fayette.”

He mentioned that he is somewhat of a history buff himself so I would recommend that he take the initiative to write about blacks who have contributed to the building of Fayette County.

In today’s society there are black magazines, black TV channels, and black radio stations and, well, as you can see, I could go on and on here.

The only time I hear a white person point out the facts about black-directed programs and services is usually a known racist. I for one am sick and tired of the race card being brought up and thrown in my face. It is high time to stop bickering and just learn to live together in peace and harmony.

I grew up here (for the most part) in Fayette County. My ancestors have lived in this community for over 125 years and as I grew up, I have always known and enjoyed all people of different races who have made our community home.

Fayette County in fact has a long and storied history of blacks who have lived and contributed to the Fayette community. For many years blacks comprised the majority population here.

I have known many black families here: the Hands, the Stinchcombs, the Forts, the Clarks and many others and we have lived together as a community; cried when tragedies happened; fought wars when our country called; provided a helping hand when neighbors were in need.

The Fayette community does not need anyone moving into our neighborhoods intent on causing strife or conflict; there is enough of that in the surrounding counties. Not once when neighbors were in need did anyone I have ever known stopped and asked what color was the person in need!

To the gentleman who wrote the letter, I offer these words of advice. Become a productive and caring member of our community. Stop looking for reasons why people of color are rarely if ever mentioned in articles and groups.

Spend your time here becoming acquainted with those of us who have lived here all of our lives as well as those who have chosen to move here too.

The reason they are here is our quality of schools, our way of life, low crime rates, beautiful country and suburban living in a wholesome family environment. This is why others have chosen to move here and call Fayette home.

If you must pick apart the works of others who you feel do not offer a wide point of view as you would like, then pick up the slack and fill in the areas you want to fill in and leave the griping and nit-picking where you came from, because it is not wanted or welcomed here.

Lastly, understand that when a person such as Mr. Bruce Jordan writes his stories, his way and in his style, he is in no way being insensitive nor unaware. He is just being Bruce Jordan and he has as much right to do that as you do.

I can’t wait for the day when the people who preach “tolerance and acceptance” can themselves be tolerant and accepting, because it seems to me if you are not a liberal, Democrat or minority, you are in the wrong at birth.

John Nance
Fayette