Kenny Hardin, Salisbury City Councilman
♦ I’m about openness and transparency so I want share an email message I received today from former educator and Council Candidate Scott Maddox.
His criticism of my pointing out the racism that exists in our City is indicative of why there is a division in our City. Wouldn’t it be great if he was as upset about the behavior that lead me to make the comment as he was that I made it? Sadly however, he can’t recognize it through his privileged elitist lens. My response to him follows.
Maddox wrote:
“…Next the comments about racism. Some have a tendency to keep pointing out there is a problem. I think we all can agree there is a problem but when are we going to stop pointing fingers and start offering solutions? I think we would all be naïve to think there aren’t people out there who still have prejudices based on skin color, but because as a society we refuse to allow people to express their views without fear of being labeled, we can never really know who those people truly are. I agree with Mr. Miller’s assessment that the true problem is socioeconomic not the more popular, controversial area that people seem to prefer.
Lastly the comment “it doesn’t include the interest, the concerns, the thoughts, opinions of the black and brown community” I think making this statement shows the speaker sees things through one prism, one lens. This is not a race issue; it’s a societal issue that many feel. Everything can’t be about race; some problems are just problems with no color. Not getting a job because of your skin color, not being allowed to eat in the same place with people of different color, being made to sit on the back of a bus because of skin color, these are problems directly associated with race. Having your opinion heard, your thoughts listened to, and your concerns addressed are problems most associated with leaders who either don’t care or are out of touch, not race. How can this country heal if our leaders see themselves as representatives of any particular race? One can’t only use race as an issue when it fits an agenda. The fact Mr. Hardin failed to speak up and repute Mr. Post statements says volumes to me. Racism isn’t a one sided issue and until people can see the big picture it can never truly be addressed.”
My response:
Mr Maddox,
Thank you for your unsolicited comments. I’m glad you are following our progress as a cohesive Council.
I won’t address the concerns you shared about comments from Mr. Post. Mr. Post ran a great campaign on the issues he felt were relevant. So, if he felt the statement he made at the retreat were real to him, continues to be relevant and important to him, and it doesn’t negatively impact my constituency, then I have no reason to dissent or speak out.
Mr. Maddox, I think it’s egotistical and arrogant of you to deny the existence of a social ill like racism that you do not experience firsthand. Because racism doesn’t impact you personally, you have no right to deny its existence or criticize those who do recognize it. Your comments castigated an entire Community of Black and Hispanics/Latino who do feel the stings of racism that you don’t have to. I will never deny the existence of something and minimize the feelings of others simply because I have to endure it.
If I recall correctly, the last time you served on Council in the 90’s, you uttered a racially insensitive and divisive comment to me during a Council meeting which cast aspersions on an entire Culture and community. You angrily referred to the West End as “you people.” Then Mayor, Margaret Kluttz, called me at home later that evening and apologized. So, Mr. Maddox, none of us are infallible. And as evidenced by your hate tinged words while you were on Council in the 90’s and your insensitive and elitist comments today, this is why there is a perception of two different Salisbury’s based on ethnicity.
Again thank you for your comments and participating in the civic process. If you would like to discuss this matter in person or at our next City Council meeting Tuesday, I will be happy in either forum.
