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I'm going to get straight to the point and not beat around the bush.

I am man enough to say what I mean and mean what I say.   

First, let me state that I am a proud American who believes in democracy and the democratic process.

I applaud the incumbents who were gracious in accepting their victories with humility and gratitude.  

So, understandably I was baffled when I read in rrspin of Commissioner Rives Manning's sarcastic thanks to those who purportedly opposed him.

I quote Commissioner Manning: "There's special folks I want to bring a special thanks to—the group that put together the report card, the Black Caucus and Reverend McCollum for his attacks and targeting me."  

If memory serves me well, and I believe it does, SCLC did not put out a Report Card and I haven't in recent times been a political opponent of Commissioner Manning.

In fact, I was not running for any seat or position in this election and for him to include me on his short list of opponents shows that he has confused and mischaracterized the facts.

Therefore, for that reason, I am astounded by his sordid allegations that (in my opinion) amount to character defamation.

On the other hand, they are baseless and irrelevant.

In the court of law, one can't present a factual testimony based on unfounded information or one's own opinion.

For Commissioner Manning to blatantly say that I personally "attacked and targeted him" is, in my opinion, warped by his own distorted political agenda.

The RV/SCLC (Southern Christian Leadership Conference) of which I am president conducted seven "Voter Educational Forums" around the county.  

The first forum was held at my church, Oak Grove Baptist Church in Littleton.

We followed a set of protocols for all forums sponsored by the Roanoke Valley (NC) SCLC to ensure there would no denigration of any candidate.

The Daily Herald covered our first forum and reported that SCLC's forums were not hostile environment.

It is disturbing, to say the least, that we are seeing the true colors of this county leader.

Many of our elected officials, church and community leaders have worked tirelessly together to bridge the divide that tears at the fabric of racial relationships in the Roanoke Valley.  Commissioner Manning's remarks are apparently intended to be a divisive manipulation of the truth and to use falsehoods to achieve his goals of "separate but equal."

A notable author and physician Izzeldin Abuelaish once stated, "The thing is, you cannot ask people to coexist by having one side bow their heads and rely on a solution that is only good for the other side. What you can do is stop blaming each other and engage in dialogue with one person at a time. Everyone knows that violence begets violence and breeds more hatred. We need to find our way together … there must be truth, fairness and justice ..." in all our dealings.

So, Commissioner Manning, in the words of former First Lady of the United States of America, Michelle Obama, "When they go low, we go high."

Let me thank you dear sir!

 

Dr. C.E. McCollum

President, Roanoke Valley Southern Christian Leadership Conference