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The Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People (DCABP) says it’s time for members of the Durham Board of County Commissioners to act like they have some home training. They say the first step is to apologize. The second step involves Commissioner Heidi Carter taking some time out for misbehaving.
It reminds me of Robert Fulghum’s 2004 book, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. It’s the simple things - play fair, don’t hit people, clean up your mess, say you’re sorry when you hurt people and when you go out into the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands and stick together – that make for healthy governance. The truth is Durham County Government has been sick for a long time.
The DCABP chastises members of the board of commissioners for an inappropriate exchange in front of members of The Robert Bobb Group, a Washington, D.C. based consulting firm, during March 8, 2021 board meeting.
“The community witnessed first-hand how certain County Commissioners treat Black county staff and a Black consultant seeking to provide much needed, individualized services to the members of the Board of County Commissioners,” the letter states. “This treatment is eerily similar to the examples listed in the aforementioned Coleman Report which details how County staff members attribute such behavior to racial bias.”
I’m reminded of getting spanked for showing my tail in the presence of company. Robert Bobb, and members of his team, got a front row seat to the dysfunction outlined in the Coleman Report. It’s one thing to read about a group's messy ways. It’s another to watch things implode before your eyes. It’s even worse when the participants have no clue that someone in the room smells like someone did a number two, and that someone is you.
It’s painful watching undisciplined children incapable of controlling tempers and managing bad behavior. It feels like a few bullies unwilling to share. Given Carter’s history in naming her reluctance to work with Durham County Manager Wendell Davis, it’s appropriate to ask her to recuse herself from his upcoming contract negotiations. When the politics become personal, the outcomes are compromised by childish behavior.
“We ask again that Commissioner Heidi Carter is recused from any discussion pertaining to the renegotiation of County Manager Wendell Davis’ contract,” The DCABP letter states. “The initial complaint levied against Commissioner Carter in early 2020 has yet to be resolved and Commissioner Carter has failed to take the necessary steps to regain the community’s trust.”
Feelings have been hurt. Not much has changed since the release of the Coleman report. Black residents are watching, and they don’t like what they see. Carter’s response is to buckle in, speed up and take a ride dismissive of the concerns of Black residents.
“Therefore, it is my duty to vote. According to statute, my duty to vote is actually a requirement,” Carter responded to the DCABP request in a press release. “Furthermore, in a council-manager form of government, the hiring of the county manager to implement the progressive policies of our board, is perhaps our most important decision. I was just re-elected by the people of Durham to participate in this decision. I will not recuse myself from this obligation.”
Hear the tone. I don’t care what you think. I have the right to do what I do, and nothing you say, think or do will matter. Feel the freedom of her affirmation. I got this. I’m backed by law and the voters of Durham. Let me be clear, I have the support of white people. Black opinions don’t matter.
Watching the board of commissioner' function is a reminder of what happens when grown folks don’t learn from lessons taught in kindergarten.
I wonder if Heidi Carter and Wendy Jacobs had any Black students in their kindergarten class? Maybe we should ask that question.
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