NCNAACP BLASTS LT. GOV.
FOREST OVER WHITE
NATIONALIST REMARKS
By Cash Michaels
Contributing writer
The president of the NC NAACP is none too pleased with remarks purportedly made by Lt. Gov. Dan Forest recently at a Salisbury church, where he said, “…no other nation, my friends, has ever survived the diversity and multiculturalism that America faces today, because of a lack of assimilation, because of this division, and because of this identity politics.”
“Someone, with no depth of understanding, called his message a sermon,” said Rev. Dr. T. Anthony Spearman, president of the NC NAACP, and senior pastor of St. Phillip’s A.M.E. Zion Church in Greensboro. “I cringed in disgust. Sermons expound on moral subjects and Dan Forest’s ideological speech contained not one morsel of morality. As a matter of fact, as I listened, especially to his remarks about Christian assimilation, I perceived what sprung forth as a strong focus on Nationalism. “
Forest, a conservative Republican, is expected to announce his 2020 candidacy for governor to unseat one-term incumbent Democrat Roy Cooper.
He reportedly made his controversial remarks June 23rdat Cornerstone Church in Salisbury, ironically a church well-known in the area as being ethically and culturally diverse, during its recent “Celebrate America” service.
Forest’ anti-multiculturalism remarks warned that America is doomed to fall because of its embrace of the nation’s wide diversity.
“No other nation has ever survived this. But no other nation has ever been founded on the principles of Jesus Christ, that begin the redemption and reconciliation through the atoning blood of our savior,” a video of is remarks show.
The online publication which first broke news of Forest’s remarks, Think Progress, also noted that the language the Republican Lt. governor used to disparage diversity and multiculturalism is sometimes used by the white nationalist movement, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center, the nonprofit group that historically has tracked and challenged white supremacist organizations.
Forest’s campaign spokesman responded that “Dan’s speech was one of unity not division, presented to a diverse audience, and was met with universal applause. We will not comment on race baiting political ads.”
But Liz Doherty, spokesperson for the NC Democratic Party, made clear they were in opposition to the lt. governor’s remarks.
“Dan Forest’s comments on diversity and multiculturalism are deeply troubling. They suggest that diversity is somehow harmful to our state and nation when the truth is: diversity should be celebrated—not regarded as a point of weakness,” she said.
Because Forest made reference to America being founded on GOD’s principles, Rev. Spearman couched his critique biblically.
“Recently Lieutenant Governor Dan Forest, at a church in Salisbury, NC touted that “no other nation has ever been founded on the principles of Jesus Christ” which is an admirable thing for a nation, but, simply as such, really means nothing at all,” Rev. Sperman said. “Joy is experienced when you can boast that the nation founded on those principles is living by those principles and currently this nation is not.”
Then, chiding Forest for his divisive stance against diversity, Rev. Spearman continued, “One of the central teachings of the Old Testament that Jesus practiced with tender care was Leviticus 19:34, “the foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.”
Spearman continued, “True Christian assimilation incorporates the practice of these principles. When a nation measures up to standing on the foundation that is Christ, a totally different reality emerges, and it is not the one Dan Forest sees. “
On Monday, Lt. Gov. Forest took exception to the growing criticism he was receiving for his remarks. But that only fed the fire.
“If Dan Forest doesn’t like reading about his use of white nationalists’ talking points, maybe he should stop saying them,” said Zach Hudson, spokesman for American Bridge 21stCentury, a nonprofit progressive advocacy group. “Instead of apologizing for parroting hate groups’ rhetoric, it appears the Lieutenant Governor is merely upset that he got caught. North Carolina voters rejected a divisive social agenda in the Governor's office in 2016. They're going to do it again in 2020.”
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REACTIONS TO NEGATIVE HIGH
COURT GERRYMANDERING DECISION
By Cash Michaels
Contributing writer
“I think electing Republicans is better than electing Democrats,” said Republican state Rep. Lewis, who led the redistricting effort. “I propose that we draw the maps to give a partisan advantage to 10 Republicans and 3 Democrats because I do not believe it’s possible to draw a map with eleven Republicans and two Democrats.”
Rep. David Lewis, Chair, North Carolina House Committee on Redistricting on February 16, 2016
In the aftermath of the devastating 5-4 U.S. Supreme Court decision last week, effectively upholding North Carolina’s Republican congressional partisan gerrymandering, Democrats and anti-gerrymandering activists are responding by intensifying their call for a greater voter turnout for the crucial 2020 elections.
“Sad day for democracy,” State Rep. Evelyn Terry [D – Forsyth County] posted on Facebook after the Supreme Court decision last Thursday. “While the ballot still exists let's use it wisely.”
“Now the fight against extreme partisan gerrymandering that undermines democracy moves to state courts and the ballot box,” said Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, in a statement. “The battle is far from over.”
Republicans rejoiced.
“This ruling is a rebuke of the activist judges who attempt to make laws, win elections and suppress the voices of voters from the bench,” said Congressman Mark Walker (R-NC-6) of Guilford County, in a statement Thursday. “There is no doubt that North Carolina liberals’ “sue till blue” strategy will continue as we face more partisan cases that cost the state more money and faith in our election process.”
But both of North Carolina’s African American Democrat congresspeople – two of only three Democrats in the state’s thirteen-member congressional delegation because of Republican redistricting – were not pleased.
“The Supreme Court’s decision today has put the voice of America’s voters and our democratic process in grave danger,” said Congressman G. K. Butterfield (D-NC-1).
“I am deeply disappointed by the Court’s ruling that partisan gerrymandering claims are beyond the reach of the federal courts,” he continued. “The Court had an opportunity to issue a landmark decision that would make it clear what constitutes unconstitutional partisan gerrymandering and how to place limits on the practice. Instead, the Court decided to turn a blind eye to blatant partisan gerrymandering and has now opened the door to continued abuse of position and power.”
Butterfield’s Democrat colleague, Rep. Alma Adams (D-NC-12), agreed.
But there are possible remedies, observers say.
Whichever party wins the NC General Assembly in November 2020 redraws the legislative and congressional voting maps for the next decade, unless an independent, nonpartisan body is created to do so.
“The Court's decision…in which a 5-4 majority declined to act on North Carolina's partisan gerrymanders, demands state-level reform,” said Tomas Lopez, executive director of the nonpartisan Democracy North Carolina.
“In North Carolina,that begins with action on Senate Bill 673’s Gold Standard Citizens’ Redistricting Commission, a proposal that would finally take the power to draw maps away from lawmakers, remove the incentive to rig maps regardless of who’s in power, and elevate citizen input over partisanship,” Lopez added.
But Republicans currently in charge of the state legislature would have to appoint that panel, and thus far – because the GOP enjoys a numerical advantage in both the state legislature, as well as the Congressional delegation – it is not expected to willingly do so.
SB 673 hasn’t moved for a vote, and now, isn’t expected to.
And as Gov. Cooper indicated, the majority-Democrat NC Supreme Court is scheduled to decide on state partisan gerrymandering.
“Nothing bars the North Carolina Supreme Court from banning blatant partisan gerrymandering from our state elections,” says Rick Glazier, executive director of the NC Justice Center. “Ongoing litigation challenging partisan gerrymandering of our state’s voting maps should proceed with deliberate speed to finally, firmly end gerrymandering in North Carolina.”
That state Supreme Court decision is expected shortly.
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STATE NEWS BRIEFS FOR 07-04-19
SBI TAKES OVER NHC SCHOOLS SEX ABUSE PROBE
[WILMINGTON] The New Hanover County Sheriff’s Dept. and District Attorney Ben Davis have asked the State Bureau of Investigation to take over their joint investigation into multiple child sexual abuse allegations in New Hanover Public Schools, and how the system administration looked into them. Reportedly a former teacher who pled guilty to 59 child sex abuse charges last week told the FBI that originally he had been cleared by administrators of any wrongdoing. Authorities say there may be other alleged cases originally overlooked.
DEPUTY NHC SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT ANNOUNCES HE’S STEPPING DOWN
[WILMINGTON] After 37 years with the New Hanover County Public School System, Deputy Schools supt. Rick Holliday has announced that he is retiring, effective August 1st. The timing of Holliday’s stepping down has many wondering whether it is at all connected to allegations by a former teacher convicted of 59 charges of child sexual abuse that he had been cleared by the system’s administrators who originally investigated. Holliday has served as the system’s Title IX coordinator, published reports say, responsible for probing sexual abuse allegations. Holliday has been with NHC Schools since 1982, and was once considered for the superintendent’s job.
BENNETT COLLEGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES STILL LOOKING FOR NEW PRESIDENT
[GREENSBORO] The trustee board of Bennett College for women are still looking for a new president of the historically black college after President Dr. Phyllis Worthy Dawkins stepped down on June 21st. Dr. Dawkins was recently heralded for leading the nationwide $9.5 fundraiser for the school when it was recently in danger of closing doe to a loss of accreditation. A transition team headed up by Dr. Gwendolyn O’Neal is currently running school operations.
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