DONALD HUGHES DECIDED to organize 9.19 Durham
Natives Day in response to growing concerns among people born and raised in the
Bull City.
“The history of Black folks who literally bled
to make Durham equitable matters,” Hughes posted September 5, 2021, on his
Facebook page. “There would be no progressive Durham for white liberals to
enjoy and gentrify without the toiling of Black folks who were born here.”
9.19 Durham Natives Day kicked off with a photoshoot
in front of the Downtown Durham Public Library. The newly renovated state of
the art facility is the perfect location to honor the contributions of men and
women born in Durham. Forty-two people wore t-shirts naming their pride in
Durham. Fifteen attendees under the age of 16 prompted messages about the
future.
“I’m so glad to see these young people here,”
Brenda Howerton, chair of the Durham County Board of County Commissioners,
said. “We are here because of you.”
Howerton was among the few in the crowd not
born in Durham. She moved to Durham in 1986 and has been active in local
politics for more than 20 years.
“I’m here because I’ve seen people without relationships
with Durham residents claim the right to speak on their behalf,” Howerton said.
“I’m not from Durham, but I do my best to listen to people born in Durham.”
Leonardo Williams was named Durham Teacher of
the Year twice. He shared the heartbreaking story of a call he received from
one of his employees.
“He told me he was coming to work, but didn’t
know if he would offer much,” Williams said. “His brother was killed in the
shooting last night at NCCU.”
There was a sadness reflective of doing his
best to make a difference. Williams’ brother spent time in prison. After his
release, it was difficult for him to find work. Williams uses Zweli's, the restaurant he owns with his wife, to
employ formerly incarcerated men and women.
Elaine O’Neal talked about life in Durham before
gentrification altered the lives of Black and Brown people. The candidate for mayor
has been busy listening to the concerns of Durham residents. She has successfully
garnered support from local Brown residents who say Javiera Caballero is supported
by state and national Latina groups with limited ties to Durham.
A.J. Williams, a candidate for Ward 3 City
Council, says he’s a fourth generation Durham native. He stood beside the other Williams competing
for the same seat. Their mutual respect suggests something much deeper than a
desire to win a local election.
The moment was about being seen and heard. It
was a celebration of the city that gave birth to the dreams of Black and Brown
residents. It was a critical response to the political rhetoric dismissive of
the people who watched Durham thrive and fall apart after a blitz of outsiders
with their own agenda.
“That’s why you should give a shit when
someone says I was born and raised in Durham,” Hughes posted on his Facebook
page.
It’s a message for the people who run for
political office after living in Durham for less than five years. It’s a rebuke
to the people who disregard what Durham was like before they arrived.
The people in the picture have witnessed both
good and bad days. Many remember school merger and the Duke Lacrosse Rape
scandal. They remember the heated debate to downsize the city council, and the
pain after the death of Shaquana Atwater, who was killed three days short of
her third birthday while sitting on the porch with her mother.
They remember the march to Few Gardens after Atwater’s
death. They remember the moans and tears.
Howerton was one of the people in the crowd
that day in 1998. She was grieving the death of her two sons - Lamont and
Darryl. Howerton wasn’t born in Durham, but she has experienced enough to
understand the pain.
The picture is only the first step in
celebrating 9.19 Durham Natives Day.
“As Durham continues to grow, we recognize
that this growth comes with some natural pains,” the announcement on the event
page states. “Durham natives are seeing the city we love so much become so
distant and foreign to us. From the lack of affordable housing to neighborhoods
that seemingly discard our history to downtown that is unrecognizable, we just
want our city to not leave us behind as it continues to change.”
We see you. We hear you.
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