A low-profile contest could speak volumes about who we are

All too often, it seems as though our nation is stuck in neutral — that a refusal, from those on both sides of the political aisle, to break from party lines is preventing progress.

We ignore bad behavior by those on the extreme left and right and fall in line. 

We dismiss dangerous rhetoric as hyperbole.

And then we go to the polls and hold our noses before checking the boxes of any — and every — person with a D or R by their name, depending on which team we’re on.

But over the last several weeks, we have spoken with several of the men and women seeking support from Wayne County voters.

We have listened to how others responded to important questions during candidate forums.

We kept our eye on social media posts and sought insight from some of this community’s most respected political figures from the past and present.

And we learned that what we hoped we would discover is, indeed, true.

That truth is that locally, there are candidates on both sides of the aisle who deserve Wayne voters’ consideration as local residents begin heading to the polls this week.

And it’s a diverse group — black and white, male and female, young and old and, yes, Republican and Democrat.

They believe in progress and solving the many problems that have plagued this community for years.

But there are some candidates who are, in our view, dangerous. They don’t belong in office, much less on a ballot.

And they need to be stopped — preferably, by senior members of their own party — before they inflict irreparable damage on Wayne County’s reputation.

This isn’t about political affiliation. This isn’t about an R or a D. Not anymore.

This is about the message we, as voters, send to those who are watching the decisions we make from the sidelines — from our children and grandchildren to businesses, military brass and other counties across the state.

So, what do we need to say when we cast our ballots?

Let’s start with this: Register of Deeds candidate Constance Coram has no business representing the people of Wayne in any capacity.

To be honest, we never thought we would have to say that. When she ran against the incumbent in the Democratic Primary in March, we assumed her lack of experience — and the race-baiting that seemingly defined her failed City Council campaign a few months earlier — would cost her the people’s vote.

We decided to raise the red flag anyway, just to be sure people knew about the racially charged rhetoric she spewed and what many, including this publication, perceived as questionable ethics.

But somehow, Ms. Coram defeated Judy Denning Harrison.

Sure, it was only a primary. But with no Republican challenger slated to run this November, it looked as though our new Register of Deeds was going to be someone who, last summer, referred to white people as “Massa” and said Goldsboro was a “redneck, Jim Crow kind of city” — in writing on her public Facebook page.

Naturally, community members and county leaders started panicking.

And fortunately, a qualified write-in candidate emerged to challenge Ms. Coram for a down-ballot race that, if we’re being honest, not many people even think about when they enter their polling place.

Forget that Tina Arnder has the experience necessary to lead the Register of Deeds office — that she has been certified by the UNC School of Government, has worked in the office since 2006 and is currently the assistant ROD.

Forget that Coram was terminated from her job in that same office more than a decade ago for, among other things, conducting personal business on the taxpayer’s dime.

In our view, there is something far more alarming about the prospect of electing Ms. Coram.

She’s about division at a time when this country is finally moving toward healing racial wounds. She would, we fear, set this community back when we desperately need to move forward.

A video recently surfaced — one filmed by Ms. Coram, herself, during her unsuccessful run for a seat on the Goldsboro City Council.

She calls her white opponent a “head massa” and his black supporters “field workers” — before making unfounded claims about “voter suppression” at the public library.

It was shocking and repugnant. And it reflects an ideology so vile that it must be defeated in the coming weeks.

But don’t take our word for it. Here is the video:

As far as we’re concerned, Ms. Coram’s words are a weapon. They are jarring and dangerous. They are racist.

They draw battle lines between black and white — and black and black — during a time when our county has been lauded for the emotional, yet peaceful, discourse residents showed during the recent wave of demonstrations that swept the country this summer.

Are there longstanding racial tensions that still exist in this community and other communities like ours? 

Yes.

Is it still critical that we push for reform and progress?

Absolutely.

But Ms. Coram’s comparison of white leaders to slave owners and their black supporters to submissive field hands is ludicrous and dangerous. And make no mistake, it’s meant to divide us.

As we have said before, while there are, and sadly, will always be, those who wish to divide us by skin color, the majority of Wayne County residents know better.

Most of those living in these parts, while acknowledging the difference in experience and the struggles that have been inherent in the battle for civil rights, do not want a segregated community.

We interact with each other every single day — in our neighborhoods and at school, community and church events.

We teach each other’s children, provide medical care to each other’s family members and work together on committees and boards to make this home — our collective home — a better place.

We worship together, and yes, even marched together this summer.

And while we acknowledge that there is still more work to do to level the playing field for people of color, women, members of the LGBTQ community and other historically subjugated groups, we have come too far to stop now — or to let someone capable of uttering such filth to represent this proud county.

We find it hard to believe that most other members of the Democratic Party are OK with what Ms. Coram said — particularly those we have spoken with, interviewed in the past or watched during recent candidate forums.

Perhaps it’s time for a Democrat with some clout to condemn Ms. Coram’s words — and to remind members of the party that you don’t get to be outraged by what you perceive as race-baiting and dog-whistling on the other side of the political aisle if you embrace the same type of rhetoric in your own backyard.

And from what we’ve witnessed from some stellar candidates within their ranks — if you haven’t heard Soil & Water District Supervisor candidate Imari Olliver speak, you are missing out because she’s phenomenal — there is a reason to be hopeful that someone will.

Either way, Wayne County residents need to send a message by writing in Tina Arnder for Register of Deeds. 

Yes, it will take a few extra moments to fill in the oval and write in her name.

But it’s worth the effort to show the people who are watching that no matter our politics, we can agree that those who sow hate and division have no business representing us — in any post.

Not now. Not ever.

Early voting begins Thursday.

Note: Since the publication of this commentary, former Wayne County Democratic Party chairman Barbara Dantonio submitted the following comment:

“I will answer your call. I am the former Chair of the Wayne County Democratic Party. I have just stepped down temporarily from my position as President of the Wayne County Democratic Women to work at the polls to support the Tina Arnder campaign. After careful thought I cannot support Constance Coram due to the blatant racism, the plagarism and assumption that because she has a D by her name, I should support her. Due to the policies of the NC Democratic Party, we must step down from our position to show support for a write in. If you are a party officer, auxilliary officer, or precinct officer, I ask that you also do the right thing and step down until after the election is over. The Democratic Party does not support racism. I cannot be a part of this charade. I also do not support Bevin Foster due to his racist comments. Please vote for Tina Arnder and Kenneth Coley, both honest and hard working Democrats who will serve all Wayne County Citizens.”

Should more leaders from the Democratic Party submit comments, we will update this post to reflect their thoughts.