The mayor of Durham says he is “not going to apologize” for his town hall notes

As Durham Mayor Leo Williams seeks to re -gather, he catches warmth for the style of sincere communication and the latest remarks to some seem offensive.

July 3 In Facebook’s video of his meeting at Rookie Sports Bar, Williams answered questions about how he appealed to crime and violence, city youth and other relevant problems.

For some people, one moment was distinguished: Williams’ response to a note about violence of weapons through which he called young people carrying firearms in Durham “YNS”, in short to “young people” [racial epithet]”.

This term, rooted in African -American English language, has gained attraction to social media platforms such as “tik”. When it is for young blacks who are engaged in violent or destructive behavior, it can now be seen on the Internet that describes any young black.

Critics say it enhances stereotypes, repeats racial slippers and unfair label youth to contribute to stigmatization.

“As someone who scares a former educator, you know the power of the words,” Durham writer and activist Paul Scott responded to the mayor in Facebook’s video. “You know that people will make you call young black men joining cars, people would take it and run with it. Durham is already perplexed enough.”

During his first term of mayor, Williams, a restaurant owner and former Durham public school teacher, used slang and catch phrases, including his slogan Durham is dope. He often spoke directly with critics in the audience of the city council meetings.

The Town Hall came in a few days when Williams made a request to start a second term, and he said he was not going to apologize for his comments.

“I responded to the audience in the context where we talked,” he said.

What did Williams say?

A video of the Town Hall for almost 43 minutes shows that Williams casually dressed in a baseball hat and jeans, speaking clearly when he introduces himself and shares his upbringing.

The controversial note has led to a discussion on Shotspotter, Gunshot detection program, which has recently been the end of the city during the discussion.

Williams noted that the regulation of weapons falls within the federal and state jurisdiction, not the city. He said Durham’s challenge is not responsible for the owners of the weapons, but those who carry firearms illegally.

“We are dealing with some yn [guns] From cars and they don’t know how to communicate, ”he said.

He said the young people were just fighting, but now they are seeking weapons. “No value of life, we are in contact with that. And they are 12 years old.”

“They only have about 12 years for their mother. They live in public housing where public housing has an encouraged poverty. It will not allow you to have two parents’ households, which is the fault of the federal government. I am associated with it.”

According to the Durham Police Department, since 12 July. 92 people were shot in Durhame, 15 of them fatally.

Twenty -seven victims of this year’s shooting were 25 to 34 -year -old black men. The data does not show the range of the Riflemen’s Age.

“I do not intend to apologize”

In a telephone interview with News & Observer, Williams wanted to provide clarity and context for using the term.

He said he chose the Town Hall Rookie’s to show just because he is a mayor, does not mean that he is above a meeting with people where they like to go on vacation.

He also said there were participants who use a similar language as the “YN” term, and that it was unfair to criticize people who “actually got the courage to go out and actually talk to their mayor, what they never interacted with.”

“That’s how people spoke,” he said. “I’m talking about these young people on the street, who also kill each other.”

It is a pity that “the context was not fully understood by the clip,” he said.

“I do not return the context of that conversation and I am not going to apologize,” said Williams. “My reference is that these young people are killing each other on the street. Something has to be done. I wish people focus on it, not two letters that came out of my mouth.”

Last month, Williams set up the Bull City Future Fund with the United Way The Greater Triangle and the Triangle Community Foundation to support groups for young people.

“I won’t change,” he said. “When I came up with Durham is a dope, he was too radical to the crowd of older conservatives. … I was the same at all that time and it won’t be enough for some people, but I think that will be enough for the right people. “

“Code Shift”

Although Williams said he did not change codes during the Town Hall, practice is often associated with black politicians and public figures.

Linguists describe the change of code as a change between languages, dialects or language models based on the setting. First of all, for black Americans, it became a necessary skill in browsing spaces dominated by the majority of whites.

“One of the things that African Americans are learning very early is the one who will sound,” said Wolfram, a linguist and professor at the NC State University, who has studied American ethnic dialects for over 60 years. “Although the change of codes was formed from oppression, it turned out to be a very powerful rhetorical tool and advantage.”

Wolfram said black children from the second to sixth grade learn to move the code when they browse school, teachers and other expectations.

“I think it would be convenient for black Durham audiences to use these terms to show a kind of solidarity with each other,” he said.

Mark Anthony Neal, Professor of African American Studies at Duke University, said coding is “a way to show connection or authenticity”.

“At the same time, many of the same people would probably have used a much more volatile and problematic term to describe the same young men, but we will not consider them the same level of accountability,” he said.

Neal recalled when 2007 Barack Obama was nominated for the president and was described as “highly articulated as a badge of honor”.

“White voters are always expected that black people will appear as grind or articulate,” Neal said. “However, many young elected officials use their ability to encode switching as they use social media, which is really important to achieve some of the voters who are usually not going to use political information when reading a newspaper or even watching news shows.”

Words that form perception

During the phone, Anjanée Bell, one of three Williams, announced the mayor’s opponents, said, “Words are important.”

“Words are not just words; all words carry weight,” she said. “They shape perception, invite actions and either strengthen dignity, or deny.”

Bell said he was saying that “stereotypes or generalized people can encourage those who are not committed to honesty when we try to be better Durham.”

“We cannot afford to promote harmful stories or negative images,” she said.

Her Campaign System Durham is hope, indicating its priorities for the city: housing and treatment, opportunities and property, human safety and people’s confidence, environment and education. She did not say that her abbreviation was answered by Williams’ Durham’s slogan.

“I prayed for the present,” she said. “And he will have to be accountable and offer everything he chooses to offer to those who have been harmed by the words of his choice.”

The main election of Durham’s voters is October 7 and Election Day is November 4th.

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