 Jason Browne/Daily Times Leader Members of the West Point community gather at City Hall for the second meeting of the Welcome Table, a community forum on race relations sponsored by the William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation at the University of Mississippi. The first meeting was held in October. By Jason Browne
Daily Times Leader
The second meeting of the Welcome Table forum on race relations closed with a promise from those in attendance to move forward with the work begun by the group.
A smaller group of 15 citizens, nine black and six white, attended the meeting. The original meeting had close to 50 visitors and more than 20 participants. Dr. Susan Glisson, program moderator and director of the William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation at the University of Mississippi, requested a smaller group of concerned citizens willing to commit to a long-term effort.
Mayor Scott Ross entered the meeting late, about half an hour after it began, and was the only elected official in attendance. No representatives from local law enforcement or county government attended. Police Chief Steve Bingham, who attended the first Welcome Table meeting, and Chancery Clerk Robbie Robinson were both personally invited.
Glisson began the meeting by asking participants to share what they felt was the biggest problem facing West Point regarding race relations.
MaryAnn Lamparter pointed out the voluntary segregation at local churches.
Jimmy Davidson voiced his concern over the loss of local black history.
“Everything here is geared toward what the white community did,” said Davidson.
Alex Hale, a sophomore at West Point High School, acknowledged he hasn’t learned any local history at school.
When Glisson asked Hale if he would be interested in learning local history he replied that it wouldn’t help him further his education but he would like to know about local history for personal reasons.
Glisson asked Hale if he thought his peers would be interested in learning local history, to which he replied simply, “No.”
Tim Brinkley, pastor of Mt. Hermon Baptist Church, spoke of a perception among the black community that “racism permeates West Point and the city government.” He illustrated his point by describing the condition of railroad crossings in traditionally black areas of town.
“It would appear that when money to fix the railroad tracks becomes available, one side of town is always maintained and one is never fixed,” said Brinkley. “If the city wanted to make a good-faith effort, why not save up a few dollars and fix the tracks on East Morrow.”
Brinkley says the infrastructure issue is frequently brought up during election campaigns, but nothing is done afterward.
Ross had not yet arrived at the meeting when Brinkley made these comments.
When a comment was made that whites left their neighborhoods when blacks moved in, school board member Gene Brown disputed the notion, pointing out several integrated neighborhoods in West Point. Instead, Brown says education is the most pressing issue, although it was ranked below employment and they city’s visual appeal during a recent economic fair.
“When it comes to cleaning up West Point, you know who they’re looking at. Not the houses at Waverly,” said Brown.
John Jackson, 84, a lifelong native of West Point and the first black member of the Planning Commission, interjected that the group was talking about problems when it should be talking about solutions.
“I’m here to see what’s the plan of this group to improve race relations,” said Jackson.
Jackson brought up a series of similar meetings held in West Point 10 years ago, which he participated in, which produced no results.
“They can explain these problems so beautiful,” said Jackson. “But I don’t hear no solutions.”
This prompted Hale to ask Jackson for some potential solutions, to which Jackson replied the problems needed to be better identified and empirically researched.
Former educator Jean Smith said black people are too segregated among themselves.
“We’re our own problem,” she said. “If we want better railroads all we have to do is come together.”
Claire Craig echoed both Smith’s and Lamparter’s comments saying, “I feel like the greatest potential for success lies in our churches. We could have great fellowship. We’re just too comfortable.”
Elizabeth Bailey expressed her enthusiasm about the Welcome Table meetings, saying they functioned as a partial solution in themselves.
Jasper Pittman said that in order for lasting change to take effect, policy makers must be involved.
“They need to play an intricate part. They’re the glue,” said Pittman.
Brinkley said it would be interesting to see how many public officials would show up to the next meeting if all were personally invited.
“That would be a very good measuring tool of how things are,” said Brinkley.
Glisson said continuing dialogue among local citizens would be a positive step for the community to adopt. For her part, she says she or a representative from the Winter Institute will return in one month with some research regarding West Point and will help the group outline several points of action. |
