Realistically, "going with the best people" will only work if it turns out government positions are about in proportion to the races of the residents of the county.
"His swearing-in shows that 1) color is not a barrier in serving this community ..."
-- Judge David Watkins, on his swearing-in of Richmond County Tax Commissioner Steven Kendrick
The judge is right. Race is not a barrier to good government anymore in Augusta.
Actually, some of us think that point was made long ago.
So why do some governmental agencies still act as if it were an issue?
The Richmond County Board of Education, which has been getting along great and doing good work, picked some fine leaders for the next two years on Saturday: President Marion Barnes and Vice President Alex Howard.
But oddly, they still felt that race was an issue.
Since the early 1990s, the board has alternated between black and white presidents -- and the vice president has had to be of the other race.
It just so happens the board followed that "gentleman's agreement" this time, even if by accident. But we're with board member Joe Scott, who suggested explicitly ending the "gentleman's agreement" and just going with the best people.
"We've got to have a black this and a white that," Scott said. "It's about time we get beyond that." Absolutely.
As the leaders of the school district -- which has been headed by two straight superintendents who happen to be African-American -- the school board has a unique opportunity to exhibit the kind of leadership Joe Scott is talking about.
If Judge Watkins is right -- and we believe he is -- and race is not a barrier to good government in Augusta, then we shouldn't send the message to kids that it is.
That goes for other governmental agencies as well, such as the Coliseum Authority and Aviation Commission.
Perhaps in another two years, when the current leadership posts expire, the school board will take the community beyond race.
True "gentlemen" don't need agreements to prove they're gentlemen.
Comments
Realistically, "going with the best people" will only work if it turns out government positions are about in proportion to the races of the residents of the county.
The specifying of race in government positions and on applications is pure racism, just as affirmative action and racial quotas (of any kind) are.
Untill the Jesse Jackson/Al Sharpton / Good Old Boys generation die off there will not be any hope for unity. They keep an up roar going constantly. Always looking for an excuse to make snide remarks, hidden behind a " do-gooder " disguise. People, in general, want to get along regardless of where they are from or their skin color. It's the big mouth, look at me people that just won't give up & thrive on getting something started. Augusta has a long way to go.
What a concept.......most qualified regardless of any other factor
Racism is a business for some.
If all else fails in politics, play the race card. One only has to look a Blogos Senate pick to see that. Dingy Harry Reid sure puts the DIMs in a hurt when they, like the DIMocRATS of old, block the guy.
True gentlemen use will spoken standard English. You need to clean house at the Borad of Education and at all schools. We should hear nothing buy well spoken English.
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