Local climate shifts to outreach

In the 15 years I've lived in the Augusta area, I've never been more riveted to the daily events before my eyes. I hope others see this as well.

There is a dawning of what could be not just a revitalization of Augusta politics, but also a significant change in the way the people of this area treat and communicate with each other. The seed of this resurgence is coming from what I think is an unnoticed change in listeners and callers to a local radio talk show.

Although I have not always been a fan of its host, I have always tuned in regularly to get a flavor of what residents have on their mind. I always felt that it was what I might call a "white folks" show. Rarely was there black participation. Lately, however, there has been a shift in the audience mix. The call-in audience is growing by what a black minister caller referred to as the conservative black community. There is now a definite liberal-and-conservative, black-and-white exchange of thoughts and attitudes that I have never heard before...

I don't think I've ever seen a utopian "magic button" we can press to make bigotry or prejudice disappear. The success of any group of people will only come as a result of their desire to work together for a common goal.

How do we define that goal? How does it become a common goal? I think that is what the Augusta commissioners have set out to do at their recent retreat. People of the Augusta area have a common goal: Pray for the success of the new Augusta Commission. ...

God has sown a seed by using a radio station so that we can all hear new voices of Augusta residents being bold about their desire for a bright future. Now, what will residents and leaders do to keep it growing?

Jerry Moyer

Martinez