Jasmine Beach-Ferrara is running for the District 1 seat on the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners, and it is my honor to support her campaign.
I moved to Asheville to begin working for the Campaign for Southern Equality just as the citizens of Ferguson, Mo., were bringing national attention to the corruption of our criminal justice system. Jasmine did not hesitate to step out in solidarity with those in Ferguson and across our country who are demanding that #BlackLivesMatter.
In a community where black young people are fleeing Buncombe County for better opportunities, we need commissioners who know when to step up and when to make space for other voices to be heard. Jasmine showed me in my first weeks [of] working with her the importance of when and how you use your voice. It is because of her leadership that I realized the work needed in our communities must be broader so that no one is left behind.
Jasmine’s values as a faith leader drive her commitment to creating a strong community in Buncombe County. Jasmine has my support because she is dedicated to working at the intersections of justice needed within our community. The work of LGBTQ equality, living wages, racial equity and stronger schools are deeply connected and imperative to building a strong, vital and healthy community.
Jasmine’s leadership has taught me that the work for justice is only successful when we work together. I’ve seen how our community values leaders who listen; this is important because it allows for more voices to be heard, often voices grossly underheard.
I support Jasmine because she listens to our community and makes our community stronger by empowering new leaders to work for positive change. I encourage you to vote for Jasmine Beach-Ferrara on March 15 (or vote early March 3-12).
— Joey Lopez
Asheville
Asked what set them apart from their competitors at the ABLWV candidate forum, the Reverend Jasmine Beach-Ferrara said that we are “a wonderfully diverse county in many ways, including politically and religiously,” and that she was “tired of the shrill and partisan conversations we’ve been having,” as divisive blogger Gordon Smith sits perplexed beside her, as if to say, “WHA? WHO? WHA?”.
Video: bit.ly/1Su2eUI (28:00)
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LOL, I’m tired of being taxed to death and then threatened if I don’t pay. And believe me when I say that when you take property away in order to give it to someone else who will pay, you sort of move beyond shrill conversation. In a not very good way.