Candidates address city's race relations

At a forum for City Council candidates earlier this month, a question referenced the Community Dialogue on Race and Racism, a program organized by the city in response to growing tensions sparked by the death of Clarence Beard, a black man who died while in the custody of white police officers.

Asked how they would characterize the current state of race relations in Lynchburg, candidates expressed disparate, but not pessimistic, views.

The following comments were made during a past forum organized by the Lynchburg Regional Chamber of Commerce:

Mayor Joan Foster said Clarence Beard’s death and the resulting community turmoil was “very, very unfortunate.” “I know myself and (City Manager) Kim Payne felt we needed to do something about it,” she said. “That’s why we initiated the dialogue.”

She added that problems still exist, but inroads are being made and the city will continue working to make progress. “We’ve learned that it’s a journey,” she said. “We cannot expect to get over our racial tensions in one year or two years.”

Hunsdon “H.” Cary said Beard’s death was a tragedy, but added a “lot of wonderful” things had come out of the community dialogue.

“Unfortunately, it’s tended to taper off,” he said of the program, which has become smaller and more disjointed since its first year. “I wish it would continue.”

Cary added he felt the city was generally on firm ground, though, noting his own experience as a volunteer official for youth sports, which brings children of all races together to work as a team. “I see our race relations as very stable,” he said.

James Coleman said everyone must “recognize this problem we all share” and added great things can be achieved when a community works together. He specifically referenced the anti-violence campaign he and other local pastors started, in partnership with the police department, in response to a rash of homicides and shootings in 2008.

“In 2009, there were no homicides in this city because people of all races came together,” Coleman said. “That is the type of leadership that I will bring to council.”

Don Good said the media makes racial tensions out to be a “bigger deal” than they truly are.

“It (Beard’s death) was very unfortunate, but it underscores the fact that we need to stand behind our police officers,” he said. “... I think most citizens know the police are there to help them. They have a tough job.”

Brent Robertson said there should always be an open dialogue among community members and a general sense of caring for one another. “If you care, people will return that caring. It doesn’t matter what race you are,” he said. “It’s about love and caring.”

Robertson added he felt local race relations were on “good terms,” though, based on what he has seen.

Randy Nelson said he has worked in his legal career to help his clients confront the “stresses and the powerful forces” that confront them. As a council member, he said, he will strive to help resolve conflict in the community.

Ted Hannon said he felt any problems that existed could be overcome, noting he had found people throughout the city to be kind and welcoming. “We’re fortunate that here in Lynchburg we don’t have that big city mentality,” he said. “People here actually look at each other.”

J.P. Vaughan said he felt Lynchburg was “far ahead of most” when it came to racial harmony, but added everyone must strive to understand the perspectives of others. “You’ve got to walk in another man’s skin,” he said. “That’s tough, but you’ve always got to try.”