While Yazoo City's aldermen sympathize with efforts to increase mental health awareness, they are opposed to narrowing the focus solely on minorities' mental health awareness.
The issue surfaced during the June 23 meeting of the Yazoo City Board of Mayor and Aldermen as the aldermen noted that an agenda item was to order the authorization of a mayoral proclamation recognizing July as National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month.
Prior to the matter coming up for discussion and the vote, Delaware had left the room and Ward 4 Alderman Aubry Brent Jr. assumed the role of leading the meeting.
The aldermen entered into a discussion of the matter after Ward 1 Alderman Ron Johnson made the motion and Brent gave the second and called for the vote.
“Let's discuss it,” Ward 2 Alderman Dr. Jack Varner said as he delayed the vote. “National Minority Mental Health Day, they don't think the majority of people have mental health problems also? I know a lot of white, crazy people. Let's leave the 'minority' out and proclaim it.”
“We'll do that then,” Brent said as he called for a vote on the amended proclamation.
After Varner motioned to approve the proclamation minus the word “minority,” Johnson seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous for the amended proclamation. The Rev. Gregory Robertson was not present.
