Archives for September 2017

Opinion: The Language of Diplomacy, Democracy — and Division

“He was a war hero because he was captured. I like people who weren’t captured,” then long-shot candidate Donald Trump saidin 2015 of Sen. John McCain’s service and time as a prisoner after his plane was shot down by North Vietnamese troops in 1967. It was a quote that many thought would end Trump’s White House dreams.

That it did not slow the Trump train was a clear sign that something fundamental was broken in America’s definition of what it means to be a patriot.

What Is the Environment for Latinos In Charlotte?

CHARLOTTE, NC– A CMS substitute teacher at South Mecklenburg High School was caught on camera calling out a student for speaking Spanish in class on Monday. Just two weeks ago, a local fast-food manager asked a customer to spell ‘deportation’.

There has been an increase in these troubling incidents in Charlotte – a home to more Hispanics than any city in North Carolina, though not the highest percentage.

Is this fueled by increasing debate on immigration and the economy? Or has it always been a challenge to navigate life in a multi-cultural city?

WCCB Political Contributor, Mary C. Curtis offers some perspective.

Charlotte Talks Friday News Roundup: Anniversary of Scott Shooting, No Prayer at City Council

Remembrances were in large supply this week for the anniversary of the shooting of Keith Scott that happened this week in 2016.

The Charlotte Citizens Review Board gave recommendations on policy for the department following its split decision last month on whether CMPD officer Brentley Vinson should have been disciplined in Keith Scott’s death. Chief Kerr Putney responded to those recommendations last week and we’ll go over a few of them.

The Police Foundation also released their recommendations this week. We’ll go through thoseas we wrap up a week of reflection about last year’s shooting and the protests that followed.

Monday’s City Council meeting opened without a prayer, which has been a longtime tradition for the council. Mayor Jennifer Roberts announced at the time that city attorney Bob Hageman had made the recommendations, but later, Hageman said there may have been some confusion between he and the mayor on this point. We’ll talk about what unfolded there.

Because of the national (and local) debate over Civil War Memorials, Historic Brattonsville has decided to cancel a planned Civil War Re-enactment for next month, citing that there were actually no Civil War battles at this site and because of a concern for visitor safety due to the political climate.

And just after we got through Hurricane Irma, Maria is on her way. We’ll talk about the current path of the latest hurricane, which is headed north after being destructive in Puerto Rico.

Those stories and much more with Mike Collins and local reporters on the Charlotte Talks Local News Roundup.

Guests:

David  BoraksWFAE Reporter.

Katie Peralta, Reporter for The Charlotte Observer.

Glenn Burkins, editor and publisher of Qcitymetro.com.

Mary C.Curtis, columnist at Roll Call and a contributor to other publications including WCCB News Rising and NBCBLK.

Opinion: In Reaching for Deals, Will Parties Overlook Certain American Voices?

“He likes us,” Senate Democratic leader Charles Schumer said of his fellow New Yorker Donald Trump last week. This was after “Chuck” joined “Nancy” — House Democratic leader Pelosi from California — in a White House gathering that resulted in a deal on DACA reform, unless it didn’t.

Whatever the interpretation of what happened during that chummy get-together, and there was a different one for every person who attended or heard about it first, second or thirdhand, the president reportedly reveled in the relief of positive headlines that followed.

Charlotte Marks One-Year Anniversary of Keith Scott Shooting

CHARLOTTE, NC — Charlotte is marking the one year anniversary of the deadly police shooting of Keith Lamont Scott and the days of unrest that followed. Hundreds of people stormed the streets of uptown in protest after CMPD Officer Brentley Vinsonshot and killed Scott, September 20th, 2016.

Scott’s death has since sparked concerns about race, equality, and opportunity in the Queen City as well as CMPD’s lack of transparency with the community. The situation also sent Charlotte into what many believe was long overdue conversation about race and social mobility in the city.

Political Contributor, Mary C. Curtis talks about the challenges Charlotte still faces a year later, what needs to be done in order to heal, and what community-police relations look like in Charlotte today.

Meet a CAMPer: Mary C. Curtis

Five questions:

1. What are you looking forward to at CAMP in Hot Springs, Ark.?

Connecting with colleagues and friends I respect and care for, learning something new and a massage.

Charlotte Will Have a New Mayor

CHARLOTTE, NC — Mayor Pro Tem Vi Lyles won the Democratic Primary over Incumbent Mayor Jennifer Roberts. Lyles will face Republican Kenny Smith in the General Election on November 7th.

Political Contributor Mary C. Curtis discusses what will be the key issues the General Election and why Roberts couldn’t hold off Lyles.

Opinion: The Terror Within — Those Who See Danger in Diversity

It was a stirring message of unity. On Monday, 16 years after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on American soil that saw planes flown into the Twin Towers and the Pentagon, and brave passengers divert one into a Pennsylvania field, President Donald Trump honored the memories of the dead and the heroics woven through the actions of so many.

At a 9/11 commemoration ceremony at the Pentagon, Trump recalled that moment: “On that day, not only did the world change, but we all changed. Our eyes were opened to the depths of the evil we face. But in that hour of darkness, we also came together with renewed purpose. Our differences never looked so small, our common bonds never felt so strong.”

Opinion: A Veteran Takes on a House Incumbent — and Other N.C. Political Tales

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Purplish-red North Carolina is hard to figure out. That may be why national eyes tend to watch local, state and federal races for clues of political trends, particularly whether or not the Donald Trump phenomenon is fading. Or perhaps it’s just the state’s unpredictability and the entertainment value of its outsize personalities who make news, even when they wish they had not.

An Impasse in North Korea

CHARLOTTE, NC– World leaders are trying to figure to out how to deal with North Korea. This comes after North Korea claimed to have successfully launched it’s largest nuke ever, on Sunday. Amid the threat, South Korea has stepped up its live military exercises.

Political Contributor Mary C. Curtis offers more perspective on the role of the North Korea’s other neighbors and the U.S.