Black Family Day

By Published by The Editorial Board

Published: June 18, 2008

It is unfortunate some cannot accept Black Family Day after 12 years. Allow me to disabuse your minds of the notion that the city of Reidsville (government) supports this event. The only money received from the city was in 2000, which was an “involuntary donation” of $12,000 resultant of a lawsuit filed in federal court for civil rights violations. Our support comes from the people and small business. Please do not insinuate otherwise. The city uses the same ordinance for a downtown celebration, twice as many blocks for nearly two times as long and for the streetcar cruise-in several times over the spring and summer. Where is the outcry for inconvenience?
I will also quote Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., “...First, I must confess that over the past few years I have been gravely disappointed with the white moderate. I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro’s great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen’s Councilor or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate, who is more devoted to ‘order’ than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice; who constantly says: ‘I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I cannot agree with your methods of direct action’; who paternalistically believes he can set the timetable for another man’s freedom; who lives by a mythical concept of time and who constantly advises the Negro to wait for a ‘more convenient season.’ Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection.”
Powwows celebrate a culture and you’re welcomed. May Day and Puerto Rican Day celebrate a culture and you’re welcomed. The Irish, the Greek Orthodox Church, the Scotland games celebrate cultures and you’re welcomed. However, when the Black man decides to stand up that paternalistic attitude flares up and others begin to dictate what our programmatic thrust should be to make some feel comfortable.
We will never change the name or aim of this celebration one atom’s weight to accommodate a few uncomfortable persons.
I am in agreement with questioning the city’s All-America status. Although the city of Reidsville has consistently opposed this event, the Chamber of Commerce had no problem mentioning Black Family Day in its application for this status as an asset, not a blemish. http://www.reidsvillechamber.org/documents/2008AllAmericaCityapplication-final.doc
In this same application you will see Mary Neal, a black female, listed as the “go-to” person, executive director, and the one who could verify the goals, aims, and purposes of the Reidsville Outreach Center. Yet, she was purposefully excluded from the delegation for frugality’s sake. Thank God for the Black ministers, churches, and businessmen who donated money to send her, covering the city’s shame.
All-America city, huh? I guess it is.
Amon Muhammad
Reidsville