Believes Hairston missed first opportunity to lead
On Thursday, October 15, 2020 at the Lowndes County Board of Supervisors meeting, Trip Hairston missed an opportunity to demonstrate his desire to heal the divisions and restore some semblance of attempting to work together with all supervisors in orderly and properly conducting the county’s business. When he was nominated to become board president, he should have declined and nominated a more experienced supervisor. If he was not pleased with the one that had been nominated at the last meeting and tabled, he could have nominated Mr. Leroy Brooks. Mr. Brooks not only matches but surpasses Hairston in professional experience and education.
Mr. Brooks was on the mark when he stated in a Oct. 16, 2020 Dispatch article the following: “Seemingly, you have no understanding of what’s going on with America, that you are all hell bent on perpetuating institutional racism.” Mr. Sanders is remaining on the board to ensure racism remains. We clearly see that the deck is not stacked in Blacks’ favor based on Sanders’ statement relative to Blacks having not assimilated as well as some others. The main objective of Mr. Sanders and others with his mindset is to keep their knee on the neck of Blacks, just as it was with George Floyd. Although Mr. Sanders is not president of the board, his influence and power is still there. This was evident with the nomination of Hairston for board president. As long as Harry Sanders sits on the board of supervisors, he will continue to sow seeds of discord. Listed as one of the six things the Lord hates. Proverbs 6:19 – A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
Trip Hairston says he will try to be more inclusive and hear ideas from both sides. Don’t just try, do it, because you have already missed the first opportunity. Therefore, do the right thing as a human being — just as you would want it done to you. As supervisor of my district, please do not be influenced by Harry Sanders or a carbon copy. This brings me again to the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He said it best, “We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. What affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”
John Henry Smith
Columbus
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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