I made a promise to myself that I would not react and respond to the racist comments of Mr. Jonathan Spanos, owner of The Paddock Restaurant, but after reading the excellent guest column written by attorney Dawn Cutaia, I felt I needed to share my opinion.Let me start by saying I am a lifelong Yorker and I understand York very, very well. I personally know many racists like Spanos and other racist business and restaurant owners.
But how many times do I have to repeat this: white racism is not our problem; that is for good-hearted white people and good-hearted white Christians to solve. I am not mad at Mr. Jonathan Spanos for being a racist and calling us (n-word); we have been called that name for over 500 years, so it is nothing new.
More:‘Humiliated and embarrassed’: Spanos apologizes and asks for forgiveness for racist rant
I am more upset and disappointed with Pastor Kearney and the Black Ministers’ Association that he represents, and the “so-called” coalition that asked for a meeting with this man about his racist remarks. With all the issues that we are confronted with in the Black community you would think they would be calling a meeting of social service agencies to address our problems. In the 44 years I have been at Crispus Attucks, that has never happened in this city, yet they find the time to call a meeting with a racist because of his comments.
Recently there was a community meeting attended by well over 100 people that was moderated by Attorney Sandra Thompson, one of our new up-and-coming leaders in York City. Most of those attending were very angry and did not agree with the comments from Pastor Kearney and the BMA.
I can only say to York City business leaders, city government, and York City Council, “All is not well in York City.”
The so-called leaders that you have been listening to are giving you smiling faces and a false sense of security. Some of the concerns at that meeting are very serious, such as gentrification taking place in our neighborhoods; private white clubs sitting in the middle of our community, and when it snows, we cannot even park on their lot; redevelopment grant money not coming to the grassroots communities; private investors and development groups buying up houses in our neighborhoods to rehab and then raising the rents that we cannot afford.
But nothing is being done — York City, we have a problem. Do not believe the bulls— that is being fed to you by others. That is like me pissing in the ocean and thinking I raised the sea level; it makes me feel good, but it is not true.
More:Jonathan Spanos resigned from Penn State York advisory board following racist rant
They talked about our troubled schools; the schools should not be expected to perform miracles. Our parents send them a bunch of knuckleheads and expect them to do the job the parents should be doing.
They talked about developing and finding financing for Black businesses and the frustration they are running into. These are the issues people are concerned with at the grassroots levels, not York race problems.
York City, we have a problem. Please listen to our new and young leadership in York. The old leadership and the old way of dealing with these problems has not worked, so now is the time to listen to our new and young leadership in York.
Bobby Simpson is CEO of the Crispus Attucks Association.
