Your North Carolina NAACP Woman of the Year: What I Know For Sure
I’ve been reading Oprah Winfrey’s signature commentary “What I Know For Sure” for years. I enjoy the Queen of Media’s take on matters that should make us pause and think. With that framework in mind, I thought it would be fun to draft my own list in gratitude of this special recognition. I stand in awe of the numerous accomplishments of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and our brave and often unappreciated local champions here in Orange County, NC who have done so much heavy lifting over the years for this community. Having experienced, heard, and seen a lot over my many decades on this precious earth, I’m using my writer’s privilege to share several of my more recent conclusions about humankind.
- Our Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson is a bully and out of touch. I’m not surprised that he won election to become our second-highest ranked official in our state government. His recent grab-the-microphone and rant about his own constituents being filth is unkind, untrue, and inappropriate. By suggesting that Christians take over public schools, Robinson is surely reading and interpreting the scriptures in a way that is dangerous and misleading. I’m hopeful that his need to be in the spotlight will lead to more North Carolinians shaking their head and voting him out. January 1, 2025 can’t come fast enough.
- The North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) is under attack because of racism. How else does one explain that one of the most well-managed and successful interscholastic sports organizations in the country is now in the hot seat? Well, when for the first time in its history the leader is a Black woman who administers a budget of ~ $5 million dollars and has $40 million in net assets under her watch (which includes the endowment, headquarters, and equipment) it makes all the sense in the world. NCHSAA has an outstanding track record of serving its member schools and is audited annually by a third-party CPA firm without incidents. Previous White male leadership never faced this type of scrutiny from politicians. I will stop there. Just think about the logic of the inquisition.
- Chapel Hill-Carrboro is not liberal. It’s easy to throw around terms such as liberal and progressive to describe ourselves. We just need to let that go. Now. There just aren’t many bold, “speak truth to power,” or sacrifice it all for the community” leaders in our area. Do we have a beautiful and kind “southern part of heaven” locale led by wonderful people? Absolutely. Let’s just not pretend that our moderate at best politicians and government heads are truly committed to addressing our racial inequities in our systems such as education, housing, and the environment. Or even stop fantasizing that White people with Black friends can’t be racists – hello, Jon Gruden. The glowing credentials, experience in diverse settings, and nice folk attitudes are only great for resumés and fellowship at the reception. In other words, best intentions often cause the most harm. We are in crisis mode. We have to measure impacts. And if we really wanted to dismantle exclusive and harmful systemic barriers in our town, we would have done so by now. The neglected and marginalized communities are still waiting. As the Chinese proverb states, “talk does not cook the rice.”
- The attack on Critical Race Theory (CRT) is also a blessing. Who had ever heard of CRT before certain people, who wanted to throw out another bone to distract us from the many, more pressing issues, brought it to the national stage? The attention to a framework that has helped scholars, activists, and curious minds go deeper with understanding its foundational premise is a good thing. CRT says that race is an invented and false social construct used to divide people and oppress people of color. In addition, CRT theorists believe that racism is not happenstance but rather inherent in law, which leads to poor outcomes in all of our systems and institutions for people of color. I believe those two concepts are an excellent prompts for a much-needed conversation between family and friends. Now, are we tired of the video rants and school board protests from ill-informed parents proclaiming that their White children are being indoctrinated and harmed? Yes. However, this maniacal noise can be used to galvanize the community to learn more about K-12 school curriculum and policies, inquire about the disparities ranging from academic performance to discipline, and protest the lack of the full history of our country being taught. Carpe Diem!
- Many young people are angry and don’t know what to do with that anger. What can one say or do to help people of all races who are so disappointed with our country’s injustice such that they become disrespectful to anyone who dares to address racial equity? My colleagues and I have wrestled with this matter. The angry bunch have thoughts that stifle productivity and communication. No one can do enough. No one can teach them anything. No one has an answer – including themselves. One can argue that this stream of ire is a generational blip that will right itself as they mature and just spend more time living life. That is, they don’t even know what they don’t know, so patience is required. Others blame the disturbing negativity to an entitlement mentality. That is, an outlook from the angry bunch that screams “you aren’t woke enough,” “all White people are of no use,” and “we need to burn everything down.” The angry bunch often believe the statement: “I am the judge and jury on all perspectives and truth.” How can activists and organizers manage their hurtful and ineffective temperament? Sadly, they usually shut down important conversations by dominating the microphone with contradictory inquires and tirades of complaints. Who wants to engage and organize in learning and collaboration spaces with their spirit of fury and toxicity present? In reflection, the more important questions might be for us to consider what exactly happened to them and what is the best way to turn their pain into purpose. Another doctoral level type of work, for sure.
- Some White people are really uncomfortable when Black people gather. In my racial equity education work, I use the phrase “racial imagination” when describing the fears that are conjured up by White people when they aren’t sure what Blacks are thinking or doing. It’s understandable that people are afraid of the unknown. However, it’s frightening that this unsubstantiated fear can turn into unnecessary harm and death. We know of the disturbing racial tragedies such as jogging in the neighborhood, watching birds in the park or viewing a videogame after hours in your home that led to dreadful alarming outcomes. And I would argue that these instantaneous responses happened somewhat due to the discomfort of a pairing of an historical remembrance (i.e., enslaved persons plotting their freedom at any cost) with FOMO (fear of missing out). Please stop assuming that Black people are thinking about you. That we are present to do more than just enjoy our own company. Whites should stop being nervous about us.
- The Republican party is a cult. And it is okay for their members to change their minds and leave the Trumpism flock. As we say in the anti-racism work, one must “name it to face it.” A cult has the characteristics of distinctive beliefs held by a captivating leader. Any time you have millions of people latching on to the ideology of a very disturbed man despite his obvious and documented lies and illegal business practices, there is a larger problem than this self-absorbed man. I’m not sure if the GOP members who have turned away or closed their eyes to the madness will ever be able to take control of their party again. Until that time, I (and others) declare the majority of their positions and practices as unhealthy for our nation. The focus on and protection of greed has a price. It will be paid and hopefully in my lifetime.
Despite the daily challenges of being, life is very good. My politics and faith are firm and yet open for the universe to bring me new thoughts and visions of how to care for myself and others. My family and friendship circles are loving and often providing of challenges that help me to grow. I have hope and plenty of it. Augustine of Hippo stated, “Hope has two beautiful daughters; their names are Anger and Courage. Anger at the way things are, and Courage to see that they do not remain as they are.” I am committed to seeking joy and fighting for justice. It is comforting to know that I am not alone in this work too. My displeasure is channeled to seek understanding and question inequality and inequity. I proudly stand on the shoulders of justice warriors who were fueled by extreme courage and a sense of what they knew for sure. How about you?
“Never Too Far” contains perspectives and insights from an inquisitive and engaged Orange County transplant from Philly. Deborah Stroman is an entrepreneur and UNC leadership professor who has seen too much and not enough, and thus continues to question and explore the thoughts and actions of humankind.
Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees. You can support local journalism and our mission to serve the community. Contribute today – every single dollar matters.
Comments on Chapelboro are moderated according to our Community Guidelines