Sekou Coleman, Jenny Pickens and Lau Malintzin discuss what’s changed and what’s stayed largely the same over the past three years.
Tag: black lives matter
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The work goes on
The murder of George Floyd, a Black man, by white Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin on May 25, 2020, spurred nationwide Black Lives Matter protests. In Asheville, Floyd’s murder had the immediate effect of religious institutions looking inward and engaging with their congregations around racial justice. More than a year on from those events, many […]
New Black-owned businesses populate The Block
Over the past year, the addition of such Black-owned businesses as the Noir Collective collaborative shop, Jawbreaking fashion store, Asheville Iridescence Yoga and Sole82 sneaker boutique has suggested a renaissance for the former Black Wall Street. Yet in a rapidly changing city where obstacles for minority entrepreneurs remain rampant, sustaining that growth could prove challenging.
Letter: No grounds for protesters’ actions
“This Asheville father does not have anything of the truth!”
A behind-the-scenes look at Asheville’s Black Lives Matter mural
The lead artists of the giant downtown mural discuss planning and implementing the inspirational work.
Taking aim at racism
Tiffany Iheanacho has big plans. As Buncombe County’s first justice services director, she intends to turn innovative ideas into action aimed at eliminating barriers within both the local criminal justice system and the broader community.
Letter: Asheville should be cautious of Black Lives Matter organization
“Before Asheville rushes to embrace the BLM mantra, I would urge caution and restraint from going down that path.”
Council to consider reparations for Asheville’s Black community
As calls continue for Asheville City Council to listen to the demands of protestors, Council members are poised to take the next step. At their meeting on Tuesday, July 14, members will vote on reparations for the Black community, a Black Lives Matter mural and a contract with a firm to investigate Asheville Police Department’s actions during recent demonstrations.
All’s fair
Letter: Cover focus should have been on Black leaders
“The white-led action featured in your cover story was inspired by Black-led protests — which are the real story.”
From AVL Watchdog: What’s in a name? For Asheville, signs point to history of racism
Vance, Patton, Woodfin, Henderson, Weaver, Chunn, Baird — their names are familiar to anyone living in Asheville and Buncombe County today. All were wealthy and influential civic leaders. They were also major slaveholders or slave traders and white supremacists.
Agitation cycle
Letter: A new meaning for the Vance Monument
“Could the word “Vance” on the Vance Monument be covered with a new inscription: Black Lives Matter?”
In photos: Activists protest police brutality at May 29 ‘Justice for George Floyd’ rally
More than 100 protesters chanting “I can’t breathe” and “Black lives matter, they really, really matter” gathered in Pack Square Park and marched to the plaza outside the Buncombe County Courthouse on May 29.
Letter: Budget time tests Asheville ‘liberalism’
“I can accept liberal incrementalism unless it is fake, but it does demand that we decide on the first increment, and for me, increment No. 1 is stopping active abuse of the poor by municipal government.”
Year in review: Local activism makes a mark on WNC
Asheville is an activist’s town, and 2018 controversies in local government, including the ongoing fallout from the investigation into former County Manager Wanda Greene and the police beating of Asheville resident Johnnie Rush, gave local residents plenty of reasons to seek change.
Letter: Asheville progressives are losing ground
“Though progressives love to march, scream, ridicule, deceive and knit pink vagina hats, experience tells us there’s a big difference in motion and action. Your side has a growing attachment to distraction over productive social action.”
Letter: Asheville deserves those who will treat all equally
“As a multicultural community in which progressive values of inclusion and equality should prevail, Asheville deserves public servants, professionals and citizens who treat all people equally.”
UPDATED: MLK Day events offer chance for celebration, action
Events around Western North Carolina will celebrate the legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and provide opportunity for reflection on how his dreams remain relevant in today’s society.
Letter writer: ‘Black Lives Matter’ essay yielded sadness, hope
“I pray that we can all keep that hope, move forward toward honest self-reflection and change.”
Letter writer: Shine your light, Robert White!
“How then, can Christians in America justify not loving their brothers and sisters of all races? God gave no race a superior status.”
