Dear Editor,
Well folks, it is election time again, and it has been put on my heart by the spirit to not be a bystander but a participant in the name of truth and fairness.
My mother taught her children not to be hypocrites. Hypocrisy was a no, no in my family. I came to this community in 1968, and I have seen it all and have been a part of most.
Politics has and will continue to shape the future of this community. When we elected our first black officials they were not qualified for the office just as many whites before them were not when they were elected. Learning on the job was common practice, and on the job training was required.
We must take a good look as to the officials we presently have and the one's who are challenging them for the job, and yes it is a job.
This letter is directed at the black community. It is time you honor our past black leaders and our past black president by going to the polls and voting for the best candidate. Put aside attitudes, prejudices, and “I just don't like that person” and vote for the candidate who best represent the values of the community in which you live.
This community has become predominately black. The homeowners and taxpayers are predominately black. I ask the question, have you not been fighting all your life, like our forefathers, to have a piece of the pie? Now that you do, you need to be careful how you slice it.
Our present elected officials have moved this city in a direction that I have not seen since 1968. Politics had killed our school system, and our present board decided to let the school establishment do their job.We are now enjoying the fruits of that decision.
The children are our future, and we should take note of that. At a recent banquet sponsored by Focus On The Children and the Yazoo County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Alderman Aubry Brent Jr. made a statement that is so true: “Children make up 20 percent of ths community, but they make up 100 percent of its future.}
You have a choice to make. I say let us register and vote for the If not now, when?
Coach Johnny Staples
