Editor, The Commercial:
How can we build strong youth if council members tear them down? Glen Brown Sr. made a terrible and disgusting statement saying the youngsters, “were coerced by adults.”
Mr. Brown showed no faith in the ability of our youth; these youngsters have skills to write and to speak. It is a disgraceful put-down from Mr. Brown Sr. to think otherwise. We all should be proud of these young people for having the courage to stand before the mayor and city council in support of a youth program which was put forward by the mayor’s assistant Ms. Joni Alexander.
The opposition from some of the council members comes because of their detestation for Mayor Hollingsworth only because she is a white woman, period. Programs empowering youngsters, economic development ideas, neighborhood improvement projects are killed because of hatred for its leader.
Again, aldermen should use their time and energy to address basic services, trashed neighborhoods, dilapidated housing, high poverty, street lighting, open ditches, sidewalks and stop attacking our children. It’s easy to tear down but it takes real love to build up and encourage our youngsters.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
“It’s easier to build strong children than to repair broken men,” Frederick Douglass said. Another quote is from the May 6, 2015, Pine Bluff Commercial editorial after Alderman George Stepps blasted a young ICVR King Team member for addressing this council: “You know statesmanship in your community has reached rock bottom when a member of the city council publicly castigates a teenager for daring to be politically engaged.”
Rev. Jesse C. Turner, executive director,
Interested Citizens for Voter Registration Inc.