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Thinking Out Loud

Seeing black and white ... and red ... in the new city manager hire

The hiring of a new city manager, predictably, has generated a lot of traffic among online commenters.

Just as predictably, a lot of it is mean-spirited and racially tinged.

Some of the same people who argue that they neither see race (they are colorblind nor consider something that should matter in such decisions) immediately zeroed in on the obvious fact that Rashad Young is an African American.

So what?

The more relevant questions are:

Was he the best candidate?

And can he deliver the best results?

Said one comment, drenched in ominous, “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” tones:

Greensboro Mayor — black
Greensboro Police Chief — black
Greensboro School Superintendent — black
Guilford Co. Manager — black
New Greensboro City manager — black
I don’t hear any blacks advacating (sic) for more diversity in Greensboro’s leadership.

First, a pair of corrections:

Greensboro does not have a school superintendent; Guilford County does.

In addition, the county manager, Brenda Jones Fox, might be more than a little surprised to learn she’s black.

Second, the mayor is black, but a majority of voters citywide elected her, in a town that is majority-white.

Third, school Superintendent Mo Green was hired by a majority-white board (six white, three African American), as will be the case with the new city manager.

Heck, even county commissioners chairman Skip Alston was elected to the position by Democrats and Republicans, on a majority-white board.

Relax. No need to jump to conclusions — and certainly no need to jump off the Lincoln Financial Tower.

We don’t even know who else was in the field but the guy at least deserves the benefit of the doubt.

Despite his relatively tender age, his resume is strong.

Unlike the previous two Greensboro managers he will come into the position with actual experience in the top job.

He has gotten good reviews from the Dayton business community.

He has had to wrangle with unions.

Open your minds and your eyes wide enough to see more than black and white.

That’s so 1950s.

Permalink

Posted by Allen Johnson on Friday, August 28, 2009 at 2:12 pm

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muss

August 28, 2009 - 4:12 pm EDT

At the end of your story, you mentioned that he has wrangled with unions. I would take that to mean he is an adversary of working, organized, blue collar men and wormen?
Perhaps I took this incorrectly but word matter. Just like elections.

Allen Johnson

August 29, 2009 - 10:27 am EDT

On the union issue, I included that sentence not so much to disparage unions as to point out that such negotiations add another significant challenge to a manager's duties.

Doug Johnson

August 29, 2009 - 4:53 am EDT

If he does a good job for Greensboro, who cares!
If he does a bad job and has to be replaced, then it will be because he is black.
Want to bet? .

I also bet, that most folks do not care what color his skin is.

Allen Johnson

August 29, 2009 - 10:24 am EDT

I agree on all three points.
I particularly think you're right about most people, Doug.

brian444

August 29, 2009 - 12:05 pm EDT

The Body Snatcher comment (and could we please limit the sci-fi to segregated threads?) is right in one respect: diversity talk disappears when there are, statistically speaking, too many "minorities." You DON'T hear anyone in Gboro mentioning, much lead advacateing, diversity anymore.

Allen, would you say simply, "Who cares? Is he the best candidate for the job? Can he deliver the best results?" if all the positions were held by whites? Those are the correct questions, but I'd predict you'd be just as hypocritical (only in reverse) as the folks you're criticizing.

Allen Johnson

August 29, 2009 - 12:11 pm EDT

Not that long ago they were all held by whites:

Keith Holiday (mayor)
Ed Kitchen (city manager)
Roger Cotten (county manager)
Terry Grier (GCS superintendent)
David Wray (police chief)

We endorsed the selection of them all, and race to us was neither a factor nor an issue.

Mick

September 3, 2009 - 3:18 pm EDT

True enough Allen. But the point is... were there or were there not cries for more diversity at the top at that time? I really do not know. Though I have some suspicion.

Allen Johnson

September 3, 2009 - 4:33 pm EDT

Nope, not from us. The city has done pretty well in this area on its own.

Allen Johnson

August 29, 2009 - 12:12 pm EDT

As for sci-fi references, in a word, no.
I love sci-fi.

brian444

August 29, 2009 - 4:05 pm EDT

Fair enough.

brian444

August 30, 2009 - 1:39 am EDT

But do rethink the sci-fi allusions.

tonymo

September 1, 2009 - 1:11 pm EDT

I was wondering whether I'd live long enough to hear Allen support the repeal of all Affirmative Action programs. He probably doesn't even understand that he did it, but that's exactly what he did when he asked, "Was he the best candidate!" That's a novel position for a liberal. I hope he keeps it up.

tim tribbett

September 2, 2009 - 6:38 am EDT

I agree that he should be evaluated only on his job performance and qualifications. His youth concerns me a little. I was disappointed that the news and record even mentioned his race. Race should be no more relevant to a news story than the color of someones hair.People on the left and right who always want to make an issue of race are going to do it regardless and certainly don't need any help noticing someones skin color.