To U.S. Attorney General: “Cowardly” Average Americans Talk Race in Charleston

For Immediate Release
Contact Brad Holliday 304-541-1979

www.HealAmericaCampaign.com


Wednesday, November 18, 2009

HEAL America Campaign
The Obama-Holder Admonition
To HEAL America

To U.S. Attorney General: “Cowardly” Average Americans Talk Race in Charleston

CHARLESTON, WV – At the South Charleston Women’s Club on Saturday, November 21, 2009, at 6:00 p.m. located at 214 D Street, the general public is encouraged to attend the HEAL America Campaign’s Health Care “Clinic” for the Soul of America in response the clarion call of US Attorney General Eric Holder to discuss race.

On February 18, 2009, Holder said: “Though this nation has proudly thought of itself as an ethnic melting pot, in things racial we have always been and continue to be, in too many ways, essentially a nation of cowards. Though race related issues continue to occupy a significant portion of our political discussion, and though there remain many unresolved racial issues in this nation, we, average Americans, simply do not talk enough with each other about race. We, average Americans, simply do not talk enough with each other about race…It is an issue we have never been at ease with…if we are to make progress in this area we must feel comfortable enough with one another, and tolerant enough of each other, to have frank conversations about the racial matters that continue to divide us.”

President Barack Obama said in an interview with the New York Times: “We’re oftentimes uncomfortable with talking about race until there’s some sort of racial flare-up or conflict. We could probably be more constructive in facing up to sort of the painful legacy of slavery and Jim Crow and discrimination.”

Ted Hayes, founder of the HEAL American Campaign says: “Beginning in Charleston, the Campaign is initiating a nationwide, honest ‘Two-Way’ discussion as opposed to the usual ‘One-Way’ lecture by certain Blacks to Whites indicting them for racism, while the former is depicted as innocent victims.”

Popular WCSH 58 radio talk show host, Mike Agnello, who is a key note speaker at the “Clinic” is extremely hopeful that the African-American leadership in Charleston will courageously join him, Hayes and many others in this response to Holder’s and President Obama’s challenge.

Further reflecting the reality that racial uncertainty and the wound of slavery is yet unhealed, recently, Michael Steele, first Black to Chair the National Republican Party accused White Republicans of being “scared of Blacks” After the election of the first African American U.S. President, an “adopted son of slaves” by Black Americans, Barack Hussein Obama, tensions between White and Black have intensified and become more polarizing than ever, despite the hope of a post-racial country.

Hayes says, “ Mr. Holder, the ‘cowards’ you refer to are talking. Are you listening?”

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