The issue: A group of private citizens in Mt. Gilead aims to have a series of murals painted on buildings around the town, all funded through donations. One of those murals will honor Mt. Gilead native Julius Chambers. In last week’s newsletter, Patty Almond, former mayor, wrote in opposition to a Chambers mural, saying the town should “steer away from divisive memories.” That led to the letters below:
A Julius Chambers mural would not be divisive
Would a Julius Chambers mural be divisive? The short answer is no. I was prepared to provide a point-by-point rebuttal to Patty Almond’s opinion (in the newsletter last week) that a mural in Mt. Gilead featuring Julius Chambers would be divisive, but the rationale she uses does not merit debate. Attempting to understand the intent and motivation of such a position is not a productive exercise, and I am reminded of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s comments on the subject of intent: “Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.” My caution to the citizens of Mt. Gilead: Do not allow Ms. Almond to divide your community; she has shown us in the past the depth of her divisiveness.
Earl Leake
‘I think we have way too much division all over’
I think the mural devoted to Julius Chambers could be divisive. I think we have way too much division all over right now to begin with. That is not what Mt. Gilead should be known for. I think all residents of the area appreciate the Uwharrie Mountains, the Pee Dee River, Lake Tillery and the beautiful forests. These have all been here for hundreds of years and will remain long after we are all gone.
Amanda Smith
Town murals shouldn’t include any person
I agree that the murals being considered for the town buildings should NOT include any person, regardless of race. We have things in the area that give us an identity without it being someone that will cause a stir. Let’s keep all of Mt. Gilead residents involved and interested in the development of the town.
Patricia Story
The issue: A group of Paw regulars recently took a tour of Woodland Hosiery and Bob Tedder wrote a report of their field trip:
That must have been some tour
Great post Bob Tedder! I couldn’t make it to that tour, but after reading this, I sure don’t want to miss the next one!
James Boggess