commentary – Durham Mayor Elaine O’Neal says Durham residents elected her to serve all people. Not a few based on their political positions. Not the people she agrees with, but all people.
Local critics challenge
O’Neal’s willingness to bring all residents to the table after her vote to add
Jahnmaud Lane, a robust supporter of former President Donald Trump, to become a
member of Durham’s Human Rights Commission. O’Neal joined DeDreana Freeman and
city council newcomer Monique Holsey-Hyman in support of adding Lane to the
17-member commission.
Controversy erupted when
Councilwoman Jillian Johnson posted comments on social media regarding Lane’s
attendance at Trump’s “Stop the Steal” rally at the U.S. Capitol on January 6.
Holsey-Hyman responded
by rescinding her support for Lane.
“His values and
approach to conflict-solving conflicts with my own,” Holsey-Hyman said. “I
absolutely want Durham residents to know that I am willing to welcome all
different perspectives and diverse opinions, and I believe they all work for a
better good.”
O’Neal says time spent
listening to and getting to know Lane impacts how she views his right to participate
in local government. Lane campaigned against O’Neal as a candidate to become
Durham’s Mayor in last year’s municipal elections.
“He’s not as bad as
people think,” O’Neal said. “Black men often get labeled for being loud with
unpopular opinions. It’s important to get to know a person beyond what they
believe.”
There’s a critical
difference between Holsey-Hyman’s decision to rescind her vote and O’Neal’s
statement regarding inclusion. O’Neal’s approach moves beyond the politics of a
decision after considerable outrage. For many, it’s hard to accept O’Neal
approach given the aftermath of what happened at the Capitol on January 6.
“Not everyone who was
at the Capitol participated in what happened,” O’Neal said. “We have to be
careful with assuming guilt because a person is in the crowd. How many people
have been in places where things popped off outside of their control?”
Listening to O’Neal’s
position reminds me of her years of service as a judge. She provides
perspective regarding authentic inclusion. It’s important to consider all sides
of the case prior to making a ruling.
“I don’t agree with his
views. I don’t have to agree,” O’Neal said. “It’s called the Human Rights Commission.
It matters that we hear from all humans, not just a few.”
O’Neal discussed the images
from January 6 and their impact on her decision. She said not everyone at the
Capitol is guilty of insurrection. Lane says he walked away from the rally
after people stormed the Capitol.
Lane undoubtedly supports
the belief that Trump lost the election due to voter fraud. He’s among the myriad of Trump enthusiasts
comparing the January 6 rally with protest following the death of George Floyd.
Lane has outlandish political views derided by most Durham residents. He’s a
Black Republican advocating the rights and power of white, heterosexual
Christians. He promotes an agenda with a pride contrary to everything reflective
of the typical position of the Black community.
Lane embodies the
social and political ideology that most Durham residents despise. We’re quick
to discount his massively insulting perspective. It’s easy to censure his voice.
We chide him for his outlandish views in this season of extreme polarization. We
make him the personification of Trump’s hostile takeover.
We can do that. We have
the right to denounce the opinions of all people who follow Trump’s evil
empire. We can label them, censure them and pronounce them guilty until proven
innocent.
There is a more
relevant question. Is this democracy?
Lane is among the group
who travelled to the Capitol to “Stop the Steal”. He came to participate in
democracy. What happened next may not have been what he planned. If so, there
are courts to determine the consequences of guilt.
There’s a picture of
Lane standing in front of the Capitol on January 6. What does the picture say
about that day? Is Lane guilty of insurrection or is he simply guilty of being
at the wrong place at the wrong time?
Lane is guilty of
holding views contrary to most Durham residents. Most of us don’t agree with
his assumptions regarding government. Most of us pray for people like Lane to
go away.
Then, we’re reminded of
democracy. The best of our decisions happens due to the debate.
I don’t have to agree
with you. I don’t have to like what you say. There’s a part of me that prays for
you to go away; however, this is a democracy.
I may not like it, but it
helps if I take time to listen.
Don’t blame me. Blame
the conventions of American democracy.
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