Where does Black History Month place on City of Bridgeport list of leader priorities?
Meeting at City Hall, with officialdom, but no speakers from traditional keepers of African-American history at colleges, religious, or civil rights groups is great, places this effort low down on such priority listing, does it not?
Why is this so, when DEI is relentlessly under attack at the Federal level? How does this story play out on the street? What book are you reading to feed your knowledge and opinions about what has existed in the past? What additional ‘digging’ into the records of times past to inform your curiosity? Are you waiting for a neighbor ‘to save your bacon’ in terms of rescuing the concept of “the common good”? Time will tell.
City Councilwoman Mary McBride-Lee asked OIB to post this response to John Marshall Lee who sits on the board of the Greater Bridgeport NAACP.
A Penned Letter to John Marshall Lee:
I am writing to make one thing abundantly clear: your views are not welcome here, and your bigoted behavior is unacceptable. The hatred and ignorance you spread is not only harm to individuals, but they also degrade the very values of respect and equality that our society should strive to uphold. I detest your vile commentary regarding a recent Black History event that I spearheaded in the City of Bridgeport.
Your intrusion into Black issues is a step too far, and as someone who were on the frontlines in the 1960s fighting for Black issues, I will not sit idly by and allow you to serve as a master or spokesperson for Black people. Just because you do not find relevance in your own community, does not give you a right to try to find relevance in my community. You sure do not get to tell Black people about the ongoing struggles they face every day. Who died and made you, King?
The arrogance with which you attempt to dictate the lives of others based on their race, ethnicity, or background speaks to a fundamental misunderstanding of human dignity and the shared responsibility we all have to one another as equals. Black people are not 3/5 of a person. We are fully human and are capable of speaking and representing ourselves.
Let me be clear: Your opinions, born of prejudice and hate, have no authority in shaping the lives of Black people. No one, regardless of their race or background, needs your approval or validation. And no one, least of all marginalized communities, should have to endure the poison you are trying to spread. It is shameful that you would sit in a leadership position as Vice-President of the Bridgeport NAACP and demonize Black people every opportunity that you get.
The NAACP is the oldest civil rights organization in the world and is about serious business. Too many issues impacting Black people are on the line. If you are not serious about business, go and join a Country Club, where you can have kettle corn and iced tea.
I reject you, your views, and everything you stand for. If you seek change, I encourage you to reflect on your own biases, educate yourself on the experiences of those you are so eager to represent. For the record, you are not qualified nor justified to represent the African American community. I don’t need a book to tell me about my history or the past— I lived it. What books are you reading to feed your knowledge about your people?
Our history is not found in textbooks, we are too busy making history everyday as we fight against oppressive systems that your ancestors helped to create. Now they want to strip true written history of African American people, so that self-appointed masters like you can try to keep us in our place.
What do you know about our streets and our struggles? Are you implying that we are the only ones that benefit from DEI? Your racist and ignorant claws are showing. Until you and your sidekicks can speak intelligently and with knowledge about the African American experience, I strongly advise you to stay in your lane.
Logical speaking, from my perspective I thing Black History month is on top of the list of Port’s political leaders among any other heritage month celebration.
You hit the nail on the head though, ” What books are you reading to feed your knowledge and opinions” They say you are what you eat.
However, today’s youths then to get there daily dietary supplements for social media reel/clips
Perhaps Lamar or Drake can grace Port’s city hall to honor black history month. That sit was cold. 😂
John, PS well it is fair to say what books you read will feed your knowledge and opinion you shouldn’t use the word bacon so loosely. Some might find bacon filthy and Unholy to eat while another book my find it delicious🤣
Where does Black History Month place on City of Bridgeport list of leader priorities?
Meeting at City Hall, with officialdom, but no speakers from traditional keepers of African-American history at colleges, religious, or civil rights groups is great, places this effort low down on such priority listing, does it not?
Why is this so, when DEI is relentlessly under attack at the Federal level? How does this story play out on the street? What book are you reading to feed your knowledge and opinions about what has existed in the past? What additional ‘digging’ into the records of times past to inform your curiosity? Are you waiting for a neighbor ‘to save your bacon’ in terms of rescuing the concept of “the common good”? Time will tell.
City Councilwoman Mary McBride-Lee asked OIB to post this response to John Marshall Lee who sits on the board of the Greater Bridgeport NAACP.
A Penned Letter to John Marshall Lee:
I am writing to make one thing abundantly clear: your views are not welcome here, and your bigoted behavior is unacceptable. The hatred and ignorance you spread is not only harm to individuals, but they also degrade the very values of respect and equality that our society should strive to uphold. I detest your vile commentary regarding a recent Black History event that I spearheaded in the City of Bridgeport.
Your intrusion into Black issues is a step too far, and as someone who were on the frontlines in the 1960s fighting for Black issues, I will not sit idly by and allow you to serve as a master or spokesperson for Black people. Just because you do not find relevance in your own community, does not give you a right to try to find relevance in my community. You sure do not get to tell Black people about the ongoing struggles they face every day. Who died and made you, King?
The arrogance with which you attempt to dictate the lives of others based on their race, ethnicity, or background speaks to a fundamental misunderstanding of human dignity and the shared responsibility we all have to one another as equals. Black people are not 3/5 of a person. We are fully human and are capable of speaking and representing ourselves.
Let me be clear: Your opinions, born of prejudice and hate, have no authority in shaping the lives of Black people. No one, regardless of their race or background, needs your approval or validation. And no one, least of all marginalized communities, should have to endure the poison you are trying to spread. It is shameful that you would sit in a leadership position as Vice-President of the Bridgeport NAACP and demonize Black people every opportunity that you get.
The NAACP is the oldest civil rights organization in the world and is about serious business. Too many issues impacting Black people are on the line. If you are not serious about business, go and join a Country Club, where you can have kettle corn and iced tea.
I reject you, your views, and everything you stand for. If you seek change, I encourage you to reflect on your own biases, educate yourself on the experiences of those you are so eager to represent. For the record, you are not qualified nor justified to represent the African American community. I don’t need a book to tell me about my history or the past— I lived it. What books are you reading to feed your knowledge about your people?
Our history is not found in textbooks, we are too busy making history everyday as we fight against oppressive systems that your ancestors helped to create. Now they want to strip true written history of African American people, so that self-appointed masters like you can try to keep us in our place.
What do you know about our streets and our struggles? Are you implying that we are the only ones that benefit from DEI? Your racist and ignorant claws are showing. Until you and your sidekicks can speak intelligently and with knowledge about the African American experience, I strongly advise you to stay in your lane.
Until Freedom is Won,
I am….
Councilwoman Mary McBride-Lee
Logical speaking, from my perspective I thing Black History month is on top of the list of Port’s political leaders among any other heritage month celebration.
You hit the nail on the head though, ” What books are you reading to feed your knowledge and opinions” They say you are what you eat.
However, today’s youths then to get there daily dietary supplements for social media reel/clips
Perhaps Lamar or Drake can grace Port’s city hall to honor black history month. That sit was cold. 😂
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/18v1Fgx2Q3/
What say you Drake.
https://youtube.com/shorts/HelVaXGsP8Q?si=R3jQ-KVXjl9QhT3B
John, PS well it is fair to say what books you read will feed your knowledge and opinion you shouldn’t use the word bacon so loosely. Some might find bacon filthy and Unholy to eat while another book my find it delicious🤣
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/18aAomsrKy/
My bad
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/194dmnN8aE/