Black Lives Matter during Seneca meeting

In a community meeting room last night in Seneca, the overriding message was Black Lives Matter.  Around 100 people crowded into the Blue Ridge Community Center for a protest against George Floyd’s death along with a plea for better relations among the white and black races.  The audience was practically an even mix of the two races, and from the start the focus was an effort directed at whites to try to empathize what some blacks unfairly encounter in their everyday lives.  And, for one, Oconee Sheriff Mike Crenshaw said will he listen and pledged to ensure that his office fairly administers its authority to all regardless of color.  Crenshaw admitted that, as a veteran law enforcer, he was sickened by the circumstances that Floyd, a black man, met in police custody in Minneapolis.  Crenshaw was part of a panel discussion in which African-Americans–a retired teacher, a parent, along with young men and women–spoke of racist experiences they’ve encountered.  Retired educator, Vivian McWhorter Hubbard, wore a T-shirt that read, “If you are not outraged, you are not paying attention.”  Hubbard appeared pleased that last night’s audience included educators.  She saidd, “We need cultural education” and she was further applauded when she declared, “Hire more teachers like me.”  Hearing that message and applauding with her hands raised high was Dr. Sandra Sloan, the one African-American member of the county board of school trustees.  More on last night’s “Emerge” protest and rally can be heard today on 101.7/WGOG NEWS.