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NAACP weighs in on Bangs issue
More Big Country BANGS -- Representatives from the state NAACP office held a news conference in Bangs on Thursday to address community concerns following a recent complaint filed by a city worker who alleges a councilwoman has used racial slurs in his presence and in front of others in recent months.
Last month the Austin branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People launched an investigation into allegations by Bangs maintenance worker Lawrence Crosby, 67, that Councilwoman Marisa Craddock had used racial slurs referring to him and was seeking to have him terminated. The complaint was filed by Crosby to the NAACP on June 27.
"This kind of behavior is unacceptable," Nelson Linder, president of the Austin NAACP told a crowd of about 75 gathered in front of Bangs City Hall. "This is a clear case of racism."
Linder said a federal investigation is under way by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission regarding discrimination issues in the case.
"If there is no cooperation (from the city), this situation is going to become very costly for the city of Bangs," Linder said. "My guess is with the EEOC involved, we are going to look under the covers, and more situations like this will be uncovered."
Linder and others called for Craddock's resignation by Sept. 9, the date of the next city council meeting.
Bangs City Attorney Mark Bessent, in a letter to the NAACP, said the results of his investigation were inconclusive.
Bessent said that he asked the NAACP to turn over the names of witnesses but that they have not provided the information.
"I've talked to several witnesses for an hour at a time, and for the most part what I have learned is that this did not happen," Bessent said during a brief discussion with residents inside City Hall.
Bessent attempted speak outside City Hall with the NAACP representatives but turned around and went back inside.
Linder refused to have a discussion with Bessent during the visit, saying he had attempted to contact Bessent on several occasions after the complaint was filed.
"We have received no apologies for this city councilwoman's actions," Linder said, calling the city's investigation "a cover-up."
Linder said he has signed affidavits from several witnesses including former Bangs Mayor Carol Wells, who in a letter dated July 30 said she witnessed Craddock using the "N" word to refer to Crosby on several occasions.
Crosby did not attend the news conference, and NAACP representatives said he has been advised not to make comments.
"He is afraid and very disturbed," said Renita Sanders, first vice president of the NAACP in Austin. "This has been very emotionally upsetting to him."
Craddock also was absent from the proceedings.
Reached by phone after the news conference, Craddock said she had "no comment."
Most of the residents at City Hall seemed to want to put the issue behind them.
"This is an issue that needs to be resolved," said Vivian Darby, of Bangs.
Another citizen agreed.
"We just want to stand up for what is right and for the city to do the right thing," said Bridgette Fuller, also of Bangs.
Linder hinted that lawsuits could be filed as a result of this situation, especially if Craddock does not resign from the council.
"Right now, all eyes are on Bangs, Texas," Linder said. "We will stand by Mr. Crosby until death do us part."
Posted by hardtohandle69 on August 29, 2008 at 5:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sad sad world we still live in. I will pray for these people using the "n" word. After all our president is going to to be black.
Posted by uniacornmom90 on August 29, 2008 at 6:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
McCain all the way!!!
Posted by donny on August 29, 2008 at 7:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
That's right hardtohandle guilty untill proven innocent.
Posted by morgan1313 on August 29, 2008 at 7:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What I find disturbing is this: If a "person of color" calls a Caucasian person a "cracker" or a "honky" or some other derogatory name, it's "no big deal" but if a Caucasian uses the "n" word or some other derogatory comment toward a black person then is becomes a federal case.
This double standard is just plain wrong!
Posted by blahblah on August 29, 2008 at 7:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
donny---"several witnesses including former Bangs Mayor Carol Wells, who in a letter dated July 30 said she witnessed Craddock using the "N" word to refer to Crosby on several occasions."
There is no doubt in my mind that she did say this.
Sad situation all around...especially that people still are in denial and look the other way.
Posted by blahblah on August 29, 2008 at 7:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
morgan---you are correct also. But if the Caucasians had someone like Al Sharpton* or Jesse Jackson, it would be the same situation I suspect.
Posted by donny on August 29, 2008 at 8:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
blahblah
The city attorney questioned several witnesses for hours and came to the conclusion it never happened.
Posted by westtex37 on August 29, 2008 at 8:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If the NAACP has those statements from witnesses, why don't they turn them over to the city as requested? Why did Linder not meet with the city attorney as requested? Could it be that the NAACP wants to create publicity more than they want to resolve the issue? Sounds like political grandstanding at its worst.
Posted by blahblah on August 29, 2008 at 8:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
donny---Agreed. Maybe because they are still investigating. Who really knows.
Posted by unsub on August 29, 2008 at 8:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"He said, she said", 'nuff said.
Posted by officerx on August 29, 2008 at 8:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Everything is a coverup by the big bad government. Especially when things happen in the Bangs, Texas local government, which we all know is one of the most influential world powers on the face of the earth today. Jeez.
Posted by rlc00b on August 29, 2008 at 9:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If she did in fact say it then I have to say that is wrong. But with both sides having interviewed witnesses saying she did or did not say it, that just raises more questions. And if one side is not sharing witness affidavits with the other then that just raises even more questions in my mind.
Posted by wild_bill on August 29, 2008 at 1:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
When it becomes as unacceptable for a black person to use the "N" word as it is for a non-black person to use the word, then I'll worry about it. Black entertainers, athletes, even politicians and church pastors throw the word around like a surfer saying "Dude" and no one, in or out of the black community, gets upset, much less outraged. Let a white person use the word in any context and all of a sudden it's a matter of racial prejudice and lawsuit.
When the NAACP sues Jesse Jackson for calling Obama a "N*****", then I'll get excited about Craddock using the word towards Crosby.
Posted by blahblah on August 29, 2008 at 4:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Good point wild bill with the Jesse Jackson / Obama situation.
If that would have been a Caucasian that said that instead of Jesse about Obama, all hell would have broke loose.
Posted by robertvp on August 29, 2008 at 5:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well said Wild Bill! The NAACP is really desperrate if the biggest thing on their plate is Bangs, Texas. GIVE ME A BREAK! We need to change the law where the looset in a lawsuit pays all! The Federal Gov. will pay the NAACP Costs and the statement, "this will cost Bangs a lot of money" is nothing but blackmail.
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