LETTER TO THE EDITOR:
Why and how does the black community of Kingsport celebrate Martin Luther King Day year after year, seemingly with no outcome? Are we celebrating just to make us feel good about our blackness? I’m a black woman who gave this city a vision that will forever change lives in Riverview, yet no one ever mentions it. They sweep it under the rug. They ignore it, and some don’t even believe it for whatever reason. Kingsport Tomorrow did not give the city this vision; neither did anyone else. I attended church in Riverview for years and asked God why does a handful of people live so impoverished — not a handful of black people, but people. As God gave it to me, I began to sketch what Riverview should and could be. When little Jalisa Ferguson was shot and killed and Kingsport was looking for a way to change Riverview, I felt it was time to share what I had with Mayor Wright, and the rest is bad history. I told the truth, and if anyone wants to hear the rest of the story, call me and I will gladly tell you.
If the black community wants to promote truth, they would start first at home with this vision. What would King think of the fact that a black woman gave such a vision and she is ignored? Didn’t he stand for truth, justice, equality and fairness for all? Anyone deserves credit for their work, black or white. Some know the truth and yet ignore it, but celebrate a man who walked in truth. There are two responsible parties here: the city and the black community. This vision will never bloom to its full potential because it’s built on lies. When you march in a parade celebrating a man of truth, you decimate his name when you know the truth and continue not to walk in it.
Nancy Senior
Kingsport
