On the local news roundup, the NCAA brings championship games back to the state but not to Charlotte. The ACC is more generous. And another lawsuit connected to Wells Fargo’s sales practices. Mike Collins and the roundup reporters cover those stories and more.
Devaluation of black lives infects America to its core
It wasn’t really a surprise. Mecklenburg County District Attorney Andrew Murray laid out a careful case for why his office, following an investigation by the State Bureau of Investigation, decided not to charge Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer Brentley Vinson in the shooting death of 43-year-old Keith Lamont Scott, who is African-American. Murray said he found no legal wrongdoing. Scott had a gun, Murray said the evidence showed that Scott didn’t drop it when officers shouted at him to do just that, and Vinson said he felt he had no choice, that he and his “buddies” were threatened.
Dec022016
Trump’s Coalition Can’t Last
It wasn’t a question of if, but when. When would demographics become destiny for political candidates hoping to lead an increasingly diverse America, and require outreach more than a photo op with a taco bowl?
‘When’ has not yet arrived
Nov102016
What Happens to the GOP’s Diversity Dream?
After the presidential election of 2012, the Republican Party had a plan. Mitt Romney won over a majority of white voters, but failed miserably at attracting the diverse electorate that increasingly is America. GOP would have to stand for something other than Grand Old Party. The Growth and Opportunity Project was born, with one goal being outreach.
As then Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal said in stark terms at the Republican National Committee winter meeting in Charlotte, N.C., in January 2013: “We must reject the notion that demography is destiny, the pathetic and simplistic notion that skin pigmentation dictates voter behavior. … The first step in getting voters to like you is to demonstrate that you like them.”
The goals were lofty and judged doable, with Mississippi national committeeman Henry Barbour saying the message should be “the opportunity for people to aspire to reach their dreams whatever that may be.” He touted New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez as the party’s future: “She’s smart; she’s not afraid.”
What happened in 2016? The short answer: Donald Trump.
Nov082016
Can Trump Repair His Disconnect With Minorities and Women?
Donald Trump went into his first one-on-one presidential debate with his base solidly behind him. But one would assume he also wanted to continue his outreach to minority and female voters. He does, after all, need to win the approval of half of the population, one that is rapidly becoming more diverse. He must have had some plan to persuade those looking askance at the full-throated endorsement from folks such as David Duke or his informal confidante Roger Ailes, chased out of Fox News because of sexual harassment charges.
With Hillary Clinton across the stage from him, any plan he might have had did not work out.
Sep292016
The Ongoing Civil Unrest in Charlotte
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Charlotte continues to make national headlines due to the continuing civil unrest in Charlotte following the CMPD involved shooting death of Keith Scott. WCCB News Rising political contributor Mary C. Curtis joined Derek, Kristine and Terrance to discuss the ongoing issues that continue to cause the unrest for Charlotte and its residents.
Sep282016
PHOTOS: Pain, Anger And Violence Fill Streets Of Charlotte, N.C.
Signs, rocks, tear gas, fireworks, broken glass, blood: The streets of Charlotte, N.C., have borne witness to days of unrest after a fatal police shooting on Tuesday.
Two nights of protests have included peaceful calls for unity as well as violence and destruction. On Wednesday night, a civilian was shot at a protest and now, city officials say, is on life support.
Sep222016
In Charlotte, Overnight Protests Follow a Fatal Officer-Involved Shooting
CHARLOTTE, NC — Tensions are running high in Charlotte following Tuesday’s officer-involved shooting and overnight protests. WCCB Political Contributor Mary C. Curtis talks more about how the Queen City is reacting, and what community and city leaders can do to avoid more violence.
Sep212016
Did Hillary Clinton Ace Her ‘Job Interview’ in North Carolina?
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — It’s obvious why North Carolina is tantalizing for both Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton and why the Republican and Democratic presidential candidates each made an appearance in the battleground state this week. Trump was in Greenville on Tuesday (and will be in Asheville on Monday), and on Thursday afternoon, Clinton attended a rally at Johnson C. Smith University, a historically black university in Charlotte, for what its president Dr. Ronald L. Carter called a “high level job interview.”
Sep082016
