Invisible Black People Where Are You!

It appalls me to have to be called out by someone who is new to this community, when we know what has been going on. I so agree with Jesse Junior’s words as he speaks the truth. However, what has been said should not shock or surprise anyone. For more years than I have been alive, people of color have been relegated to small pockets of Asheville and Buncombe County, and aside from ASCORE, what have we said? Our lack of voice says a great deal. Our apathy about government and the political process says a great deal. Our not taking seriously our children’s tests scores — says a great deal!

Asheville is where I was born. Asheville is where I came back to so I could help make a difference. Asheville is where the last of my immediate family resides. So, when the city calls for a downtown commission to look at how to make changes, I have gone to meetings.

It frustrated me to
see no people of color from my old neighborhoods in attendance at the
first meeting. It angered me that there were no residents of East End
or Southside on the panel at the meeting to discuss the history of that
part of Asheville.

On
Friday, May 30, I shook my head when I counted 7 people of color in
attendance at the meeting presented at Asheville Community Theater.
Then on Saturday, May 31, when planners from outside our area asked for
opinions on how to change and reshape the downtown; where were the
leaders? Where were the parents? Are there any stakeholders from our
community that want to see the city look like the word that is so
easily spouted; diverse? If we are so diverse, why do publications that
leave this city not show us? Pick up a publication and count us! Stroll
downtown and count us. I did that on one night: seven.

As long
as I am able, I will continue to be a gadfly. I may not speak as loudly
as those of old, but it is time that my pen writes words that help us
see that we have to want to participate in order TO participate! We
must demand an invitation in order to get an engraved one. Jesse, thank
you for your words, but our eyes should have been opened already. Our
ears should have been listening already.

We do
not have to wait for leaders to take time to go sit in a meeting. Oh,
how I would love to see some of the people who I laughed, cried, and
played with years ago sit in Asheville planning meetings to help shape
our city and to make those who sacrificed for us proud!

~ Cedric Nash, Asheville