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At-large voting part of Jim Crow pastTue, 07/08/2008 - 3:59pm
By: Letters to the ...
Contrary to popular belief, the NAACP seeks to promote equality and diversity, especially where none exists. For almost 100 years, the NAACP has sought to improve the lives of people of color. Some believe that the NAACP goes around looking for racism, but we actually don’t have to look for it. Evidence of racism comes to the NAACP through numerous ongoing reports of cultural bias, inequality and injustices from citizens and from vicious attacks in the media by narrow-minded people. Regardless, Fayette County has the potential to be the greatest place for persons of any race, creed or color to live and enjoy. Our beloved county is especially attractive to black people because of the quality of education, low density population, relatively low crime rate and overall quality of life. Progressive black people have a deep value for education, because there was a time in Georgia when blacks were overtly denied an education. We are wise to remember that there was a time not so long ago here in Fayette County when the voting rights of black citizens were openly obstructed and running for office was unthinkable. Fayette County’s at-large voting process is a carry-over from that time, and it has so far prevented any black person from having a fair chance of getting elected to the county commission or school board. Hypothetically, we believe that if at-large voting had kept a white person from getting elected in the entire history of Fayette County, all of you would be fighting for district voting. Rest assured that we would not sit idly by and let any person, white or black or otherwise, be denied the equal opportunity to serve as a commissioner or school board member. That is precisely why we believe that now is the right time to change to district voting. It is understandable that sometimes citizens are unaware, unconcerned, afraid or reluctant to ask their county commissioners or school board members to do what is right. But we also understand that righteousness is a virtue that most Fayette County citizens desire. We believe that most of you know without a doubt that district voting is the fairest way to elect county commissioners or school board members. Nevertheless, we expect that your elected officials will continue to try to block any and all efforts to bring district voting to Fayette County until you speak up. Write, call, email your commissioners and ask them to support district voting. You, the citizens of our county, can easily help to avoid the potential racial tensions that can surface when hundreds of protesters are forced to march, rally and demonstrate in Fayette County to protest the Jim Crow era at-large voting and other injustices in our county. We certainly hope that we can avoid the embarrassing national media attention that would expose how Fayette County clings to the Old South practices of the bygone Jim Crow era. Let’s face it, the demographics of Fayette County are changing due to the influx of people of color, recently reported to be around 26 percent. Ultimately, Fayette County taxpayers could be forced to pay enormous legal fees to defend the Jim Crow era at-large voting that has simply become indefensible in this diverse community. With your help, much agony and hard feelings could be avoided if the Fayette County Commission and School Board, with your urging, found the courage and wisdom to vote for a change to district voting. Thank you. John E. Jones, president Fayette County (Ga.) Chapter NAACP login to post comments |