‘Segregated overtones’

By Published by The Editorial Board

Published: June 13, 2008

All American city, huh? I can’t help but wonder if the committee that bestowed this title on the city of Reidsville would rethink it if they knew that year after year this city uses city employees and city money to help carry off an event with segregated overtones, called Black Family Day.
I firmly believe that all cultures should embrace, be proud of and learn from their heritage. Yet also keep in mind that we are all one big human family. Segregation of races is dead and buried. This is what Dr. Martin Luther King suffered for, died for and spoke about in his civil rights, “I Have A Dream” speech.
Having said this—I can’t believe in the year of 2008 in this 21st century – the city of Reidsville has once again issued a permit for an event called Black Family Day. The event’s title alone implies segregation in its truest form. As I understand it, not only will city employees and city money be used, the downtown area will be closed off, causing an inconvenience to all Reidsville residents.
The obvious question is, If a group of Caucasians want to have a White Family Day or a group of Hispanics want to have Hispanic Family Day, would they be extended the same cooperation by the city of Reidsville? Boy, talk about encouraging divisions of the races all over again.
My suggestion: If, in fact, workers who are paid by taxpayers’ money are working this event and taxpayers’ money is used to fund this event, why not just call the event Family Day? That way, all will feel free to come together to celebrate and share our diversity.
I am a child of the 1960s. I’m said to say I can vividly remember people blown into the gutters after being sprayed by water cannons, growled at by police dogs, being told they couldn’t use a certain restroom or eat at a certain lunch counter, a child being spat upon for being forced to attend a certain school. Why? For not ‘staying in their place.’ For being “black.” Thank God those days are over. Or so I thought. The organizers of an event called Black Family Day conjures up the mindset, ‘We still want to be segregated.’ Shame on Reidsville for going along with it.
Doug Astin
Reidsville