That Wheeling Feeling
Last week a local business owner in Wheeling posted a comment on Facebook which many of us experienced as discounting of the experience of those who have lived with all forms of discrimination, including racism, all their lives. There were a number of responses to his posting. The business owner took down the posting, but it had already been shared by many.
Many responses were possible by the owner, the major, the city council members, the human rights commission, and the members of the NAACP. These responses could have been angry, judgmental, finger pointing and ultimately could have resulted in more polarizing.
Major Glenn Elliott, members of the NAACP including West Virginia NAACP President Owens Brown, Oho County President NAACP Darryl Clausell, Michael Duplaga III, council members and others in the community focused on insuring that this incident became a teachable moment for Mr. Duplaga and the community at large. Following Mr. Duplaga’s posting, Major Glenn Elliott reached out to Mr. Duplaga and suggested a meeting between he and NAACP representative. They met at the owner’s place of business on August 19. At the Wheeling City Council meeting of August 21, 2018 members of the NAACP spoke and Mr. Duplaga issued what seemed to me a very sincere apology.
This will not mean the end of racism, sexism, homophobia or other forms of discrimination and oppression in the Wheeling area. It can, however, be a very powerful moment in history indicating that business owners, other community members, and the leadership of the City Council and the Major demonstrate that “The Wheeling Feeling” can come to stand for a passion for coming together, listening and learning from each other and creating a community which feels welcoming and safe to all members of the community. We have had powerful leaders such as Mr. Brown, Mr. Clausell, Ms. Bell, staff of the YWCA, and some members of the Human Rights Commission fighting for social justice in the community for a long time. The leadership of business people, city council members and the mayor did not always seem as loud and clear as they currently do.
Let’s insure that this teaching moment is the beginning an active dialogue in our schools, at community business meetings, at City Council meetings and in our homes and coffee shops; a dialogue about repairing the damage of our ongoing history of division using the artificial constructs of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, culture and others; a dialogue about coming together and not further division.
The Wheeling Feeling can become a metaphor for a community which celebrates inclusiveness in every aspect of our life as a community.
Written August 22, 2018
Last week a local business owner in Wheeling posted a comment on Facebook which many of us experienced as discounting of the experience of those who have lived with all forms of discrimination, including racism, all their lives. There were a number of responses to his posting. The business owner took down the posting, but it had already been shared by many.
Many responses were possible by the owner, the major, the city council members, the human rights commission, and the members of the NAACP. These responses could have been angry, judgmental, finger pointing and ultimately could have resulted in more polarizing.
Major Glenn Elliott, members of the NAACP including West Virginia NAACP President Owens Brown, Oho County President NAACP Darryl Clausell, Michael Duplaga III, council members and others in the community focused on insuring that this incident became a teachable moment for Mr. Duplaga and the community at large. Following Mr. Duplaga’s posting, Major Glenn Elliott reached out to Mr. Duplaga and suggested a meeting between he and NAACP representative. They met at the owner’s place of business on August 19. At the Wheeling City Council meeting of August 21, 2018 members of the NAACP spoke and Mr. Duplaga issued what seemed to me a very sincere apology.
This will not mean the end of racism, sexism, homophobia or other forms of discrimination and oppression in the Wheeling area. It can, however, be a very powerful moment in history indicating that business owners, other community members, and the leadership of the City Council and the Major demonstrate that “The Wheeling Feeling” can come to stand for a passion for coming together, listening and learning from each other and creating a community which feels welcoming and safe to all members of the community. We have had powerful leaders such as Mr. Brown, Mr. Clausell, Ms. Bell, staff of the YWCA, and some members of the Human Rights Commission fighting for social justice in the community for a long time. The leadership of business people, city council members and the mayor did not always seem as loud and clear as they currently do.
Let’s insure that this teaching moment is the beginning an active dialogue in our schools, at community business meetings, at City Council meetings and in our homes and coffee shops; a dialogue about repairing the damage of our ongoing history of division using the artificial constructs of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, culture and others; a dialogue about coming together and not further division.
The Wheeling Feeling can become a metaphor for a community which celebrates inclusiveness in every aspect of our life as a community.
Written August 22, 2018
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