Charlotte isn't fully ready to talk about race relations, participants at a town hall meeting said Thursday, but dialogue is needed to help resolve issues within the community.
More than 280 people attended the annual "People of Prominence" event sponsored by The Charlotte Post newspaper. Publisher Gerald Johnson said he wanted the group, which included a panel of six prominent black leaders and businessmen, to talk openly about race matters.
Among the issues: How can media groups call Charlotte a top place for blacks to live, while a 2001 study ranked the city 39th among 40 U.S. cities for racial trust and inclusion?
Some panelists said the media polls focus on opportunities for blacks to do well in business, but noted that doesn't always transfer to social settings.
"This community is ..
. unwilling to talk about the divisions among us around the issue of race," said Mecklenburg County Manager Harry Jones. "And we will never be the community that we hope to be until we talk about that issue.
"
Much of the discussion also focused on reaching out to younger generations, and encouraging them to stay in school and work toward their goals. Panelist Eric Watson, a vice president with Food Lion, urged the audience to work consistently with students to help give them hope.
Ronnie Bryant, president and CEO of Charlotte Regional Partnership, said he is concerned that the current generation of young people, black or white, is the first that is not expected to live better than their parents.
He said it's important for people to get at the real problems of what is wrong and try to find solutions.
Some in the audience also talked about the need to make sure there is diversity among area public leaders, and that issues related to the black community are considered by government. Jones and other panelists said it is important for residents to speak out and make sure their concerns are heard.
Rounding out the panel were Bill Farmer, a vice president of Time Warner Cable; Bridget-Anne Hampden, president and CEO of JHR Associates; and Regina Smith, a vice president for the Arts Science Council.
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