PRESS RELEASE: E.C. HUEY CALLS ON ENTIRE COMMUNITY TO ENHANCE RACE RELATIONS IN LIGHT OF ANDREWS INCIDENT

P R E S S R E L E A S E

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

E.C. HUEY CALLS ON ENTIRE COMMUNITY TO ENHANCE RACE RELATIONS IN LIGHT OF ANDREWS INCIDENT

SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATE CRITICAL OF RECENT PUBLIC STATEMENTS BY ELECTED OFFICIALS

JAMESTOWN/ADAMS FARM (26 September 2007) – 2008 Guilford County Board of Education at-large candidate E.C. Huey today issued the following statement regarding the ongoing investigation into last week’s incident at Andrews High School:

“Last week, it was discovered that four nooses were hanging auspiciously on the Andrews High School campus in High Point. School continued there as usual and an investigation is ongoing.

“I want to commend the Andrews family for continuing to weather this storm with professionalism and dignity. I also want to commend the authorities who are working diligently to find those responsible for this heinous act. This was nothing short of sickening and despicable.

“However, I’m troubled by published statements in recent days by several elected officials in our community that unfortunately may set race relations backward instead of forward in Guilford County. Last night during the Guilford County Board of Education’s regular meeting, Board member Deena Hayes called out and challenged the “white community” to take a stand on this issue and to take a stand on racism, using the words “white community.” In recent days, High Point city councilwoman Bernita Sims spoke similarly, but she used the words “non-minority leaders” to request that they, too, take a stand on the Andrews incident.

“Politicizing an event such as this using racially-divisive and polarizing language only seeks to further divide our county and community instead of uniting us. In addition, the ongoing rhetoric can only be seen as damaging and dangerous to the Andrews family. Their own students have said publicly that there are no racial tensions inside that school. As a former Andrews staff member, I couldn’t agree more.

“I would urge that the rhetoric be toned down, and let the investigators continue their work uninterrupted before any additional and abrupt conclusions are drawn.”

Huey, 35, is an unofficial candidate for the 2008 at-large position on the Guilford County Board of Education and will officially file for the position when the filing period begins in early 2008. More information about his candidacy, positions, published statements and blog can be found on his official campaign website: www.hueyforguilfordschoolboard.org.

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