“The homeless, their dignity, their civil rights and their belongings are regularly being bulldozed by those with power in Asheville.”

“The homeless, their dignity, their civil rights and their belongings are regularly being bulldozed by those with power in Asheville.”
“To be honest, it was those very acts of civil disobedience — the lunch counter sit-ins by dignified young Black people, the reasoned speeches of Martin Luther King and the angry voice of Malcolm X — that gradually opened my eyes.”
In the early months of 1964, residents shared their thoughts on the impending civil rights bill. Most who offered their opinions expressed a dire message of inevitable chaos if the measure were to become law.
“This means that Super Tuesday’s results, your vote, may very well decide whether we have candidates who have the wisdom to preserve civilization or send it tumbling into violent, freedom-less, ecologically demolished chaos.”
“Who are we to tell someone the time, place and manner to speak up about oppression? And what better place than right where it is happening.”
“How to help: Don’t treat people based on how they look or who they are; respect them.”
Editor’s note: This article was submitted by Asheville School. On Thursday, Sept. 21, Oliver G. Prince Jr., class of 1971, addressed the Asheville School community on the 50th year of racial integration at the school. Prince and his classmates, Al McDonald and Frank DuPree, were the first three African-American students enrolled in Asheville School in 1967. […]
“Perhaps the greatest danger of unwanted change comes from within the city itself, from apathetic and cynical millennials, hippies, anarchists, witches, crystal-worshippers and other folks who simply have given up on politics altogether.”
“I am a proud black boy who is confused. I am confused why people with different skin colors don’t have equal rights. Black people have their rights, and white people have their rights, but why are they not equal?”
“We are supposed to be an enlightened society; we are supposed to be a beacon of hope and freedom to the world, not a nation that embraces hatred, denial, physical harm and disdain for those of different colors and faiths and sexual orientation.”
“At what point do we as Americans connected by our living in the same country finally say we all will make sure that not another child is left parentless because of our categorical prejudices.”
“It’s the latest iteration of an eternal attempt to eviscerate existing civil rights laws and, yes, a death struggle between rural and urban North Carolina over the state’s future.”
Among many who fought for equality, Asheville native Floyd McKissick Jr. and his family have been on the front lines of the Civil Rights struggle for more than a century. McKissick gave the keynote speech at the second Annual African Americans in WNC Conference, at which he offered numerous examples of what it was like growing up, when, many nights, his porch had to be protected with armed guards.
At its meeting this evening, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners gave their approval to the formation of the African-American Heritage Commission and voted to extend city water to people living near the contaminated former CTS of Asheville site.
On Jan. 14, Asheville City Council approved an overhaul of development oversight along with a new infrastructure plan for the River Arts District, Council also created a City-County African-American Heritage Commission and rezoned a small development on steep slopes in North Asheville.
Asheville Middle School’s boisterous student body took to the streets Wednesday afternoon to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the historic March on Washington and Martin Luther King Jr.‘s iconic “I Have Dream” speech.
“Whatever your personal, moral or religious views might be, to write discrimination into the North Carolina Constitution is just plain wrong,” says North Carolina Gov. Bev Perdue in a newly released video.
I am an American. This country was founded on the principle that all people are created equal. As an American, I value this principle and will fight to defend it. This country is great because it guarantees those rights. That is why women are now able to vote, because that is their right. That is […]