North Carolina National association
for the Advancement of Colored People
114 WEST PARRISH STREET, SECOND FLOOR ▪ DURHAM, NC 27701
919/682-4700 ▪ 919/682-4711▪ execdirnaacpnc@gmail.com
Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II
President
Amina J. Turner
Executive Director
April 30, 2009
Contact: Cell—919-394-8137
April 24, 2009
PRESS RELEASE PRESS RELEASE
Burke County NAACP Releases Open Letter to the School Board Chair
Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II, state conference president, “While Mr. Hairfield has attempted to apologize for utilizing racist, stereotypical and offensive internet communication, his apology is not accepted. The use of the “N” word particularly by a public figure used verbally or electronically is not free or protected speech. Furthermore, we do not believe we can trust the decision making on behalf of our children by anyone who agrees with the racist sentiments of these emails.”
The NC Supreme Court some years ago in the Spivey case removed a sitting District Attorney from office for using the “N” word in public after hours at a bar.
The racist edge of the jokes that we know about both read and allegedly sent by Mr. Hairfield are not funny. We cannot accept any apology until we know exactly what has happened because an apology may not be enough. If he in any way knowingly read and/sent racist e-mail we must call for his resignation. That is why we are calling for a meeting with the School Board chairman and we want a full tracing of e-mail and tracking to see what was done and who else may be involved. Even the very presence of this kind of activity should cause the entire community to be outraged. And anyone knowingly, willfully engaged in such activity we as a community should demand their resignation.
Mrs. Barbara Myers, local president said, “The mind set reflected in these egregious acts are not excused by a visit to an NAACP banquet, having a few Black friends or an attempt to present them as being humorous.”
The Burke County NAACP will be calling on the State along with the National body to consider both legal and public pressure to deal with this issue as we investigate these matters.
See related:
NAACP rejects Hairfield’s apology; calls for investigation of racist e-mail
Experts say Burke school board members can’t be removed from office
