Racial & Economic Justice
![[Abbey Court]](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3079/2682839340_7fec5aea99_m.jpg)
I just learned that there was a rally this morning at Carrboro Town Hall where residents of Abbey Court called for the town to do more to protect them from the increasingly-discriminatory policies of their collective landlord. In short: the owners have begun towing residents' cars if they don't meet a certain aesthetic standard. It really is that ridiculous. And probably quite racist, in my opinion.
Thanks to the Town of Carrboro's new Official Correspondence archive (kudos for openness!) I can offer some background about the situation.
From: Carolyn A. Hutchison [Carrboro Police Chief]
Sent: Thursday, July 17, 2008 3:50 PM
To: Steven Stewart [Carrboro Town Manager]
Subject: FW: Towing today
Importance: High
Steve,
Management at Abbey Court apartments is actively towing vehicles from
their lots today. We do not have any authority on their property;
however, we are dealing with this situation to the extent that we are
able. Officers are concerned that Management is towing vehicles that
belong to their own residents. Many of the residents are trying to make
ends meet and need the vehicles to get to and from work, etc.
Apparently, Management is towing cars that do not "look good." In other
words, if your vehicle has dents, needs paint, or has a cracked
windshield, Management will not issue a permit to park and Management
will tow the vehicle. As you might imagine, Abbey Court residents may
not have the means to drive a pristine vehicle, but many are paying
their rent, and now are unable to get a permit to park in their own home
parking lot. Then, their vehicles are towed from the lot; they're
responsible for the towing fees; and they have no car to get to work,
etc.
I imagine many OP readers have heard about area residents who are concerned about the new fence blocking access between Estes Park Apartments in Carrboro and Village West Townhouses in Chapel Hill. The management of Estes Park erected a fence and gate which is padlocked. The fence is 8' tall with three strands of barbed wire at the top. It blocks a traditional connection between the two neighborhoods and by extension connections from each neighborhood to downtown Carrboro and Chapel Hill.
The public is invited to a community viewing and discussion of "A Class
Divided" to be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 24, in the Council Chamber
of Chapel Hill Town Hall. Refreshments will be provided.
Organized by the Town of Chapel Hill's Justice in Action Committee, the
event is the first in a series of outreach events designed to engage
the community in frank conversations about race relations in Chapel
Hill.
Mayor Kevin Foy and Justice in Action Committee Chair André Wesson will
make welcoming remarks. Dr. Jan Boxill, director of the UNC Parr Center
for Ethics, will help facilitate the discussion following the viewing
of the documentary film.
"Class Divided" is an encore presentation of the classic documentary on
third-grade teacher Jane Elliott's "blue eyes-brown eyes" exercise,
originally conducted in the days following the assassination of Rev.
Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968. The film is designed to help engage
people in reflection and dialogue about the historical role of racism
in the United States, as well as the role of prejudice and stereotyping.
Date:
Thursday, July 24, 2008 - 3:00pm
Via the News of Orange:
Thursday, July 24. The
Orange County Democratic Women will meet at 7:30 p.m. at the Chapel
Hill Museum, 523 E. Franklin St. in Chapel Hill. The monthly meeting
will focus on taxes and comparing the priorities of national political
parties. The guest speaker will be Meg Gray Weihe, policy analyst with
the N.C. Justice Center’s Budget & Tax Center, who will speak on
“Why Tax Fairness Matters.” For more information, call Anne Thomas at
929-0547.
Date:
Thursday, July 24, 2008 - 3:30pm
Location:
Chapel Hill Museum, 523 E. Franklin St.
I really can't understand the Town's seemingly mild response to racist graffiti discovered at the Town Operations Center. Given that there have been no consequences for the previous incident, it's not surprising that the hateful vandal struck again last week.
Chapel Hill Police are investigating the first incident and have not
charged anyone. Town Manager Roger Stancil has said the culprit could
be fired.
- newsobserver.com: Racist graffiti found in Chapel Hill offices, 7/10/08
How the hell does this happen? And what does the manager mean "the culprit could" be fired? Under what circumstances would you not fire an employee who publicly directs hate speech at another employee?
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