Wednesday, November 28, 2012

NAACP Willie Fitzgerald apologizes for Fred Ingram racial slur! (Not so fast! Merle T. Rutledge Jr responds)

Also, Its not just Fred making these statements. Williie has a right to speak on his own behalf. The use of the word did not just offend the black community. It offended everyone that voted for Obama which includes white voters in this area. These statements are happening all across the country. To say that tempers are being flared just locally minimizes the importance and definition of the meaning of unacceptable behavior. You have a right to say what you want, but you are responsible for the consequences that come from your own statements. The election is over and the people have spoken. It should have been the end of it than, but Im sorry, no one in this room stirred up the fire, it was all in Fred and Willie own doing. Willie is being paid for his public relations work on this by BOS friends and affiliates. He has been being paid off for quite some time so thats why Willie is not excused! Trust my anger with Fred is nothing compared to what I think about slick "Willie T. Fitzgerald", NAACP president which he cited in a op ed in the Danville Register and Bee supporting possible future Uranium Mining in Pittsylvania Co, I mean Pittsylvania County NAACP President. Oops! The Virginia State chapter of the NAACP already has a proclamation that supports the ban on Uranium Mining for numerous reasons that Willie failed to mention. The article should read Willie apologizes for Fred. Willie gets appointed by the BOS to lots of committees, etc that pay him a monthly stipend. He's not likely to do anything to that will compromise his bread and butter. Our opinions will evolve with more information. However, its not my job to be eye to eye on everyone and every issue. We all have to make the best decision without being childish in our disagreement. We had a whole discussion on the issue without calling each other kiddy or racial disparaging names. I have a love for public service and my stereo types should not part of the decision making process. I have watched every debate from Republican to Democrat in our Presidential election. The behavior and rhetoric was full of over generalizations mixed with hurtful statements about ethnic or social groups, every income class, gender, immigration, gays, other than wealthy. However, there are many white people, as well as other Pro American groups struggling to get bye every single day and we all, no matter race, do not want to be just getting bye, but being able to provide comfortably for all of our families. The use of hateful words is a natural disaster in the form of words. Hurricane Sandy compared to the arguments on race, which one would you consider to cause the most overall damage? It is race. However, we all manage to come together when we need each other, instead of us only coming together for unity and clarity of each other. We owe each other more. This is America and we are all entitle to our beliefs, no matter how repulsive it maybe. Fred Ingram is protected by the First Amendment. However, I have the same rights to say what i want, but I take responsibility and will even triple down on it, so people know, Im not joking, but Im serious about my platform. I do not care what race you are, any words to degrade your race in any way is hateful and unacceptable in my book. I understand the reverse discrimination argument and this is about wrong no matter what ethnic group you recognize. I could care less where it came from and those that try to put it in the paper that they forgive. They are ok to forgive, but dont represent everyone else point of view. When you commit a crime or wrongful act before a judge, you get punish. You can try to ask for forgiveness, but the penalty is there for those that try to use this as a defense to get out of any penalty. So to say punishment is not warranted in some shape, form, or fashion, especially in this area, is considered a double standard. There are people in this area and all across Virginia that said they did not come to me because they thought I would not address their issue because they was from another race. I always tell anyone and everyone that Im here for the people and not for one particular race. Wrong is Wrong. I do not look at race as a guideline or requirement for my support. I look at the issue and Im colorblind in my resolve. We agree on the bad judgment on the use of words on the issue, but we disagree on itsthe resolution. We all have someone in our family that has done something wrong to someone. No one is immune to that assertion, even though it appears to be naked and vague. The past is the past. I thought as a nation that we might have moved forward, but the process of this previous election, has made it clear that it is a lot of work that has be done for Americans as a whole, in the treatment of our neighbor and into the treatment of those that we may not know. To assume is to make a fool out of ourselves. I prefer facts and Im waiting on them to come, on any and every issue. I would go to Fred Ingram, myself, and than defend than to go defend and not even know the background from the person that caused the mess. I'm not going to ask anyone to be called a racist name and to say thats ok, please feel free to do it again. Im sorry thats just not me at all. What you might not know about Willie Fitzgerald is that he is appointed to several Boards/Commissions for which "community service" he receives monthly pay. It is shocking that Willie is quick to pick up the phone to speak to Fred Ingram, but wont even talk to or pick up the phone to talk to people about their concerns in regards to the area. I can name everyone that has called Willie to talk about a civil rights issue and he has never called back or even picked up the phone to hear their concerns. However, his phone magically works for apology issues and BOS concerns. You are the NAACP president for the BOS and not for the community. Trust, I have personal experience, as well Willie! There is a serious conflict of interest with you accepting any apology under these conditions. Fred, your apology comes with a lame excuse that President Obama election cause your stock to plunge and lose a lot of money. This is what happens when you place a bad bet. Now you are losing more, over your antics and have nothing but yourself to blame. A real apology would have included telling others not to follow suit all across America. Your reaction is disease that has spreaded and your platform could do a lot to help mend fences. However, I do not see you having any plans to stop others from doing it because it furthers your rhetoric without having any personal responsibility. This is no apology that I will accept! Read the bible and go to the part about faith without works section. You can google it as well! Merle Rutledge Jr Chatham, Va 7576923571