MANSFIELD — This month, Mansfield City Council rejected a resolution declaring systemic racism as a public health crisis. Activists behind the resolution failed to demonstrate local examples of racism and failed to shake its ties with the Marxist Black Lives Matter movement.
The measure did not receive support from the black faith community. By a majority 5-4 vote, Council opposed the measure.
“Attempts to divide our city by identity politics failed,” says Reverend El Akuchie of the Richland Community Prayer Network. “We are one people in this city with equal opportunity-we are Mansfielders. People should be judged by character not skin color. City Council showed bold leadership and chose to preserve the unity of our city.”
The pastor pointed to recent social justice efforts to erase the achievements of Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.. His non-violent legacy involved the 1964 Civil Rights Act, the 1965 Voting Rights Act, and the 1968 Fair Housing Act.
At least five local black pastors publicly opposed the systemic racism resolution. Their congregations’ names were fraudulently included as supporters in a letter written by OSU Professor Dr. Donna Hight.
The systemic racism argument also got lukewarm reception from the two black city councilmen. Councilman Jason Lawrence opposed the resolution, while Councilman Alomar Davenport half-heartedly voted in favor.
“Attempts to divide our city by identity politics failed. “We are one people in this city with equal opportunity-we are Mansfielders. People should be judged by character not skin color. City Council showed bold leadership and chose to preserve the unity of our city.”
Reverend El Akuchie, Richland Community Prayer Network
After hours of deliberations, Councilman Davenport admitted the night of the vote “I don’t even know what I am voting for.”
Voting with the majority, Councilman Lawrence commented, “Although the resolution was revised at least four times, activists behind the resolution included no language publicly stating it would not be connected to an effort to defund police.”
“I support our police and fire departments and we want safe neighborhoods with families. My ward would be especially vulnerable if we were to lose our safety forces. After three months, we have seen the destruction to homes and businesses from a movement that no longer wants an honest conversation. I am not sure how toppling monuments of abolitionists and burning Bibles changes anything.”
This month the Commonwealth of Virginia discussed a similar systemic racism declaration statewide. Just this past Wednesday the Virginia Senate passed a bill that would demote an assault and battery committed against a judge, magistrate, law-enforcement officer, correctional officer, or firefighter from a felony to a misdemeanor and would remove a mandatory jail sentence for the crime.
“It is good to know that the City Council advocates for law and order in Mansfield,” says Councilman Lawrence. “I am proud of our city. I believe it is resilient and will overcome this national calamity.”
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