CAMP - Council for the Advancement of Muslim Professionals

2004 CAMP-Charlotte Statements

President CAMP Charlotte's Letter Regarding Racist Remarks by Bill James

To: Chairman of the Mecklenburg County Republican Party
CC: NAACP, Mecklenburg Ministries, Bill James and Charlotte Observer
Re: Racist Remarks by Bill James

Dear Chairman Aneralla,

On Tuesday, November 30th, Commissioner Bill James crossed the line when he wrote the following to his supporters:

"Most people know why CMS can't teach kids within the urban black community. They live in a moral sewer with parents who lack the desire to act properly. That immorality impacts negatively the lives of these children and creates an environment where education is considered "acting white" and lack of education is a "plus" in their world."

On Saturday, Commissioner James issued a pseudo apology for “not qualifying and clarifying my statement” but then followed to say "It's not an apology for bringing it up, and it's not an apology for me believing the problem in the urban black community is moral. I guess it's an apology for not saying it as well as I could."

Throughout this week, Commissioner James has indulged in flagrantly racist and hateful commentary. His words and his attitude are entirely inappropriate. Additionally, this is not the first time that he has engaged in such rhetoric. As a concerned citizen of this county, I feel that it is wrong to remain silent and allow this type of ignorance to continue. The memories of the Republican Party being the party of Abraham Lincoln and the party that opposed slavery are now being marred by the words and actions of some of its current leadership. By allowing members of your party to represent you after making such comments is scary and irresponsible. I appreciate the actions of the Mayor and of 20 other Republican leaders who censured the comments by James and hope that you too take action.

Sincerely, Shaun Ahmad
President
Council for the Advancement of Muslim Professionals (Charlotte Chapter)

President CAMP Charlotte's Letter to Editor Regarding Racist Remarks by Bill James

Over the past couple of weeks, the people of Charlotte have been exposed to the menace of bigotry. Racist, intolerant remarks have engulfed the headlines of our newspapers while injurious comments by an elected official have left tens of thousands of people feeling hurt and angry. It is not fair to state that all people of a certain race face a moral quandary nor is it acceptable to imply that all the followers of a religion that number more than one billion are violent fundamentalists.

If one objectively examines the history of the world it becomes apparent that every race and every people have contributed to the progress that man has achieved. This is particularly true in the case of African Americans contribution in this country. America is one of the world’s most powerful nations due, in great part, to the contributions of those who worked countless hours as slaves building a nation but never receiving compensation.

For a person to think that he is superior to another or that his race or religion is the only group that is relevant displays his arrogance and lack of understanding of the world and of America. Most people came to this country so they could worship freely, escape persecution, earn an honest wage and flee unjust tyrants. It is important that we not dishonor the vision of our founding fathers that worked tirelessly to establish a land of opportunity that would be free of hatred.

This message is written, not just to condemn the hateful words of one county commissioner but to put leaders of our community on notice that people of conscience will not allow hateful rhetoric to go unchecked. This not only includes those who issue wounding statements but also gerrymandering politicians who create unfair districts that allow for the election of poor representatives. By creating ultra conservative or liberal districts for the benefit of incumbents, you take away from us our right to vote and leave us with dishonest leaders who create disunity but are all but guaranteed re-election.