The editor of the Raleigh News & Observer, inexplicably, published a defense of the racial slurs spewed by a local county sheriff in Sunday's edition, lauding that he had "performed....a service of sorts?"
Excerpted from the Raleigh News & Observer's editorial page today:
The sheriff of Johnston County, Steve Bizzell, performed a service of sorts when, cruising his territory in the company of a News & Observer reporter whom he had invited along, he shared various thoughts about Johnston's Mexican immigrants.
In Sunday's feature article, Bizzell shared his thoughts indeed, including characterizing Mexicans as
"Drunk Mexicans"
"Breeding like rabbits"
" rape, rob, and murder"
"trashy"
" driving drunk and shooting"
"all they do is make love, I think"
Read my Diary yesterday regarding the feature article published on Sunday.
Today’s Editorial: "A Service of Sorts"
Lessons from History. January 1965. Martin Luther King, Jr. made Selma, AL the focus of a concerted demonstration for equal voting rights. Leading a small band of marchers to Selma’s courthouse enraged racist Sheriff Jim Clark who lost his temper. In the words on one protester:
"Clark had a big club in his hand, and he yelled to me, ‘Where are you going?...’ Before I could gather my wits, he had left the steps and jumped behind me, grabbed me by my coat, propelled me around and started shoving me down the street. I was stunned....I said, ‘I hope the newspapers see you acting this role.’ He said: ‘Dammit, I hope they do.’
Clark's behavior attracted national media coverage. In March, President Johnson spoke before the Congress and the nation and announced a comprehensive Voting Rights Bill, adopting the mantra of the civil rights movement in proclaiming "and we shall overcome."
The N&O editors are sad apoligistas.
We're organizing locally to halt senseless immigrant-bashing in NC, now. Sheriff Bizzell must step down.
We need eyes on this story- nationwide. Contributions to 501c(4) advocacy efforts payable to Jim Neal for NC, PO Box 697, Chapel Hill, NC 27514 (sorry-- website under construction...)
Contact: jimnealfornc@gmail.com