Portsmouth mayor apologizes for comments on hotels

Well Robert, there are some who post here that think only white people can be racists.

he is the mayor, so he should have apologized, and I don't agree with the city using MY money to fund this type of project. He didn't apologize. He rationalizes his comment. If he was a white man, Jesse, the NAACP, and Big Al would have busloads of protestors. Period. There IS a double standard. White people are expected to behave one way, and black people should be allowed to get away with anything they do because of 400 years blah blah blah. If black people ever expect to be accepted as equals of other races, they need to take off the training wheels, and behave the way the rest of society does. It isn't white people holding black people down, it's other black people. Even black culture (movies, music, stand-up routines) make reference to it. Jeez, even Bill Cosby says it. I don't presume to speak for every other white person, but I'm more than a little sick of hearing about it. If America is such a racist country, how is it that black people from othere countries come here and do so well?

Yes, the Holocaust was especially horrific. Yes, Americans of Jewish descent suffered discrimination here. As did Native Americans, Asian Americans,(especially Japanese Americans), Irish Americans, etc. Yes, many of these groups have been given reparations, in some form or another. Yet these truths do not lessen the severity, cruelty, longevity & legality of what was done to Blacks, in this nation. I don't want, nor do I need, any one to personally apologize to me or pay me reparations. I only want people to admit our history as a racist, bigoted nation, still working toward becoming a nation of true equality, for all. I am only printing truths. Don't attempt to label me as a bigot or racist,(which is an impossibility, anyway). We "Baby Boomers" are old enough to remember legal discrimination, & still young enough to have to deal with covert racism. We, as a nation, have come a long way.

So that we still get treated unfairly. Blacks, with excellent credit scores & incomes, have more difficulty getting financed, on anything, than Whites with lower credit scores & incomes. We get stopped for DWB, something Whites don't have to deal with, at all. Blacks receive longer sentences than Whites, when convicted of identical crimes & also having the same non-criminal or criminal background. Black youth are more often tried as adults than White youth, when charged with identical crimes & all other things about them being equal. Also, due to 400yrs. of legal discrimination, such as lower pay, no access to many institutes of higher learning, not even having access to a decent public library, denial of the vote, etc., we have a deeper hole out of which to dig. The after effects of Dr. Holley's comments aren't equal to the after effects of institutional racism, no way, no how. Period.

You sound as if you are a good decent person. The only thing that I require from anyone is respect and to be treated as you would want to be treated. I surrender. You make good points. I am finished writing on this subject. It's been real! Peace be unto you.

You correctly stated that the Whigs/Republicans were championing the anti-slavery movement in the late 19th century and that southern Democrats were guilty of terrible repression of blacks. I don't even think that there was a Republcan Party in most southern states during the period of Jim Crow laws.
What you failed to say (conveniently since you are a Republican) was that ALL of that changed in the later half of the 20th century.
Do you remember the last half of the twentieth century? As the national Democratic party became more liberal on the civil rights issues many conservative Democrats bolted from the party (remember the Byrd machine in Vrginia?) Guess where they landed? You forgot to mention that those same folks have been electing Republicans for more than half a century now. Don't act so smug about the Republican's roots. Everyone should know which party was in power when the most important civil rights legislation of the 20th century was passed. It wasn't the Whigs!

You can be proud of your history and what you had to go through to get here. You earned the right to be proud. Yes, I am proud with you. But, for-crying-out-loud, when you start throwing the history back in our faces as if you will never ever let us forget and in a manner that suggests that we still owe you something, that is when I get upset.

The point of all of this is that the mayor did not apologize. He tried to justify. That is the heart of the point here. If some white mayor or other politician had said something along the same lines, well, the black community would never let it die in the same manner you suggest that we should let it die. Trent Lott is a prime example of a misspoken word. As innocent as it was, there was no rest until he not only apologized, but resigned from his Senate position as well. So, the tables are turned and you are not happy. La De Da.

THANK YOU!!!

I have long moved on, but some of you won't let us forget with your continued racist comments and practices. If we had not moved on we would not be able to function today. We are proud of our history and proud of where we have come. Be proud with us, which does not mean condoning unfairness and wrong and unethical behaviors. I too denounced Mayor's comments, but he apologized for misspeaking...so we can move forward for the great of our community as a whole.

It’s time to move on and progress toward unity. I’m not saying to forget about what happened before any of us were born, but to use that history as a lesson and keep moving forward. Learn from our mistakes; make every effort to avoid repeating history. In the last 100 or so years, the world as a society has evolved and progressed by leaps and bounds. In America alone technology and social equality have become an ever present reality that we are no longer barbarians. If you want to stew about modern day tragedy, then look no further than Zimbabwe, Darfur, and Sudan. Read about the complete human devastation in those places then take stock in the privileges that you have right here. You have absolutely noting to complain about. Nothing.

Oh sb19736, please spare us the “I’m a victim” diatribe. Look, if it wasn’t for African tribal leaders selling their own people or the people of rival tribes, the issue of slavery would have been far less than what it was. And don’t even try to justify the mayors comments through the prism of what happened over 125 years ago. Were you alive back then? No you weren’t and neither was I. So stop the nonsense. Every culture and every race throughout world history has endured their time of oppression and tragedy. What about the Jewish holocaust survivors. Do you see them continuing to demand reparations and special treatment from the Germans for the trauma they went through? You think the black community was the only one discriminated against in our infant country? Read history about the Roman empire, Greek empire, Persian empire, and all the other major cultures of our recorded world history.

SB, get over it! Cripes, none of us were there! you think other ethnicities, including whites, of any specific origin never were abused? it's a cryin' shame what happened to "your people", but guess what? it didnt happen to you, and noone alive today did it to your ancestors. my family wasnt even in America at the time! so boo hoo! lick the wounds, bury the past, and lets start a new, discrimination-free life! you dont see, for example, the Jewish community doing or saying half the things blacks do, and they had it a thousand times worse than ya'll! and, thanks for informing me that im obviously on welfare and that i obviously dont pay near as much taxes as you...

How can you say blacks have no power?

The highest office in the City of Portsmouth is held by a black man. That is power by any definition.

Well SB, there is a double standard. It is true that had Mayor Holley been white and said what he said, there would be an outcry and a demand for his resignation. Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, and Louis Farakahn, can use racial slurs and get a free pass. Same for Senator Robert Byrd (former member of the KKK) because he as a "D" after his name.

Mr. Holley, salvage what is left of your dignity and resign. You are twisting in the wind.

All the crying about reverse discrimination is turning my stomach. An entire race of people sold into slavery, raped by masters, families torn apart and sold. You want us to forget what has happened to us - our history. Rest assured, we will never forget. Discrimination and racism is still alive and well and not by blacks. Racism is about power, which blacks don't have any. When blacks try to get ahead, you stump your feet and put them on their throats all in the name of reverse discrimination. Baloney. You have not been asked you for anything. Search your souls and say what your true reasons are. You keep talking about your taxes. I can assure you that my family pays more local state and federal taxes than you have ever paid. You sound as if you are the only person that pays taxes, and yes you or someone in your family is on welfare - not mine. I would love to know your tax bill last year. Usually, the people that pay least do most of the talking about their tax dollar.

If this man were a republican, his apology would have been soundly rejected, there would be picketing outside of his office, and he would be forced to resign. It is assumed he is a democrat, so he will get a pass and we'll begin healing.

Someone please tell me that the residents of P-town don't buy this one bit? You all know the guy apologized to save his job. I have to laugh at the comment he made about Senator Lucas "I am particularly impressed with the spirit that Senator Lucas has generated throughout the African-American community for investing in and being part of our city's economic revitalization. Anyone with half a brain knows she's corrupt and will make millions off this project. Again, here is another example of political injustice. Rememeber these two when you go to the polls.

All I have to say is it's about time the reverse discrimination / prejudice against whites is seen and MADE KNOWN.
Why in the world do I find "black yellow pages" How would they feel if we wanted and put out an Italian American or Celt American yellow pages?
It only reaffirms the division keeping people apart.
IF this were a comment made by a White man toward a black person or community they would have his head on a platter.... remember Imus?
Oh yeah lets not forget Dog the Bounty Hunter....
Think we would see this on the NATIONAL NEWS? haaa I don't think so.
Not to mention when I went down to file for unemployment I was taken aback to all the resources freely offered to the black community in project 2000 or what ever it's called. Do we (the other half of Portsmouth) get the same type of treatment and entitlements? Blacks are NOT the minority in Portsmouth!!!

IT's time the Media expose and show the world it's not just stupid white men making thoughtless comments.. (painting the white person as evil) but instead it's in everyone!
Each of us are just as vulnerable to making thoughtless slurs how quickly we forgive and move on is WHAT is more important.
Did they quickly fo

It looks to me like the people of Portsmouth would have learned their lesson a long time ago with Mr. Holley. But, surprise, they keep voting him in. Apology or no apology, I do not care about his words. This is the 21st. century, let it go. there should be no manority just Americans. We all have to get along, there are much worse issues at hand than a few words. Our young people are killing each other, just in case you haven't read the paper or watched the news, children are being abused, elderly have to choose between medicine and food. People are loosing their homes at an alarming rate, food and gas are out of this world. When will all this white/black/green/yellow/purple, etc. stop! We are all one. Come on people wake up. I think the late Dr. Hugo Owens would say, get on with it, there are far more important things at hand.
These young people are our future, they need guidance. Come out from behind your doors and give a helping hand to save everyone, regardless of race, nationality or religion. It is time to UNITE AS ONE!!!!!!

The Republican Party of the 19th to middle 20th century isn't the Republican Party of today. Neither is the Democratic Party. Southern, White Democrats increasingly went over to the Republican Party doing the Civil Rights Movement of the 20th century. The populist views of most Democrats included Blacks & other minorities. White Southern Democrats became "Dixiecrats",(ala Strom Thurmond), then, later became Republicans, (again, ala Strom Thurmond). Some Southern Democrats, such as George Wallace, changed their views, to better align with their party, & apologized for their past racist attitudes. The Civil Rights Acts of the 60's were passed doing Democratic administrations. Truth of the matter; most political parties in our history have been at fault in race relations, at some point. My Grandfather, a WW1 vet, couldn't vote until after the Voting Rights Act of the 60's.

That is the way I feel. Some of the other folks are saying it will not cost the taxpayers a dime. BUT that would not come out of the lawyers mouth. If the lawyers would put that in writing I would have no trouble with this being funded. We don't have enough money in cash strapped Portsmouth as it is.

Lores previous comments are all historically accurate and should be enough to counter the drivel that others have posted that have little to say except "the white man this" or "the black man that" When a person, elected official or not, gets in trouble, the easiest thing to defend is race and not the person. So, OK all the race defenders we get it, but this is about James Holley, The Mayor of the City of Portsmouth. It isnt about being black or blacker or black enough.

Obiously a cut and paste typo on first line. NO grammar police needed.

From its founding in 1854 as the anti-slavery party, the Republican party has championed freedom and civil right for blacks.

The Democraic party has always been the party of the four S's Slavery, Secession, Segregation and now Socialism

It was the democrats who fought to keep blacks in slavery and passed the discriminatory Black Codes and Jim Crow laws. The democrats started the Ku Klux Klan to lynch and terrorize blacks

The Democrats fought to prevent the passage of every civil rights law beginning with the civil rights laws of the 1860s, and continuing with the civil rights laws of the 1950s and 1960s.

It was Republican President Eisenhower who pushed to pass the Civil Rights laws act of 1957 and sent troops to Arkansas to desegregate schools. It was President Harry Truman who desegregate the military in 1948.

Few black Americans know that it was republicans who founded the Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

President Jonhson could not have achieved the passage of the civil rights legislation in 1968 without the support of the Republicans

Today Democrats in pursuit of their socialist agenda, are fighting to keep blacks poor, angry and voting

By the way, the NAACP, was founded by Black & White professionals. Whites have always belonged to historically Black organizations. These organizations were created in the first place due to the fact that White organizations denied Blacks & other minorities, access. Dr. Holley has apologized. I know this won't be enough for some. C'est la vie; we, as a people, waited 400 years for an apology. Clinton issued one, which was appreciated. Some of you reason that you had nothing to do with slavery & Jim Crow. However, whether you realize it or not, all Whites in America, past & present, have benefited from those entities. Blacks, after slavery, were still denied ownership of property, the vote, & equal pay, for the exact same position, even when the Black was more skilled, experienced & educated. That was law, 'til the 60's, now, it's too often the practice. We have forgiven the past & present, now, so should you.

The NAACP was created in 1909, in response to riots in which White mobs killed scores, wounded 100s & drove thousands, of Blacks out of town. UNCF was created in 1943, to ensure Black college survival, since Blacks weren't allowed in most "mainline schools". It now provides scholarships to students of any race, who wish to attend an HBCU. Affirmative Action works to Whites' advantage, when they are the minority in a college or business with govt contracts. His Story, not History, blames Africans for American slavery. Some African warriors sold their captives of war, not most. Their concept of slavery wasn't as severe as the European concept had become. The USA, allowed slavery, after the Declaration of Independence & the Revolutionary War. The USA,, allowed Jim Crow laws to be passed, to keep Blacks "in their place" until the late 60's. Whites didn't & don't need groups to fight for their rights. They have always been guaranteed.

The so-called "Race Issue" that America, land of cultural diversity, has is completely brought upon by minorities themselves. Blacks isolate, shun and stereotype themselves, using things such as the UNCF because--and a black man wrote this--black kids could never succeed as whites in regular colleges without financial aide. I would be incensed if this were said about my culture! Things like Ebony magazine, BET, and even Black History Month put blacks in the spotlight, defended by the notion that it is the only way such people would be recognized in the first place. Claims that obesity and violence statistics in black youth is caused by them watching too much television, accredited to them having "…fewer sporting events, social clubs, and other after school options than whites or Hispanics…" sound like blacks are just pointing the finger or wanting the public to feel sorry for them. If people didn't segregate themselves, let the slavery issue finally drop, and quit pointing the finger at whites, America wouldn’t have a "Race Issue".

As a former Portsmouth medic, I think it's a poor location for this project. The tract of land is the old Fairwood homes site. It has bad interstate access. Traffic is terrible. There is no attractions that are close except Bideawee golf club. The money Senator Lucas wanted should be used to build up the city as a whole, not for a project that may or may not thrive. Portsmouth has some very good points, but has a lot of room for improvement.
As for the mayor, I am sorry he did not think about the context of his message. I hope the best for him and the City of Portsmouth.

I haven't replied to this cause it pisses me off. I am so tired of this white /black thing ALL of us are the same except for the color of skin. The past needs to be put in the past and kept there, People that are supposed to be running our city god forbid that they use the race card throw them out of office we need people in the city that can bring unity to our city not keep seprating it. and they city is playing into this now I dont know if the comment made about wilson high was supposed to be a joke saying that wilson must be one of Mayor Holley's black schools let me give you the population of the 2 schools
WILSON NORCOM
Indian 4 1
Asian 21 1
hispanic 10 3
black 628 1218
white 556 44

As you can tell these schools are not equal by no means and the school board needs to do something to get these schools equal Teach the children now that there is no difference. if we as adults want a better place