Editor, Commonwealth:
On June 27, The Greenwood Commonwealth published my letter to the editor (“It’s the statue that divides community”). Of the 800 or so words I wrote, three sentences include Leflore County Supervisor Anjuan Brown’s name. One references a statement he made, one mentions his absence at a black male forum, and the other acknowledges him for creating a committee to explore building a new monument. All three sentences were facts, but they generated two more letters to the editor.
I respect the opinions in those letters, but opinions don’t negate facts. Actually, these are more than opinions. They are orchestrated attacks by people who want to define me. This became crystal clear after the one written by Billy Joe Ferguson.
In the first letter (“Criticism of Anjuan Brown unjustified,” July 3), the author claims I made derogatory remarks about Brown. He goes on to celebrate Brown’s attendance at local events, his feeding the elderly and passing out Christmas gifts. I agree those are great things to do. In fact, I am a member of an organization that has recently received international recognition as Chapter of the Year for doing the same thing in Leflore County and surrounding counties. But I didn’t have to be a supervisor to do those things. As comedian Chris Rock pointed out, “You don’t get a cookie for what you’re supposed to do.” The question is, What has Anjuan Brown done that only a supervisor has the power to do to make a positive difference in the lives of those who elected him? The writer and Brown admit that there are “bigger issues.” Well, weren’t they “bigger issues” before my dad and I approached the Board of Supervisors about the statue?
In the second attack letter (“Anjuan Brown is a problem solver,” July 9), Ferguson says I “unfairly belittled” Brown by associating his statue comments with his core values. He refers to Brown as an excellent “problem solver.”
Core values of the board, not an individual, was what I was talking about. The comment that “the statue never killed anybody” sounded as if the feelings of those offended by that symbol meant nothing. Secondly, excellent problem-solving skills should result in excellent solutions to the problems in our county. What problems have been solved? Bringing up other problems to deter from the current problem at hand in that moment is not being a great problem solver.
Someone once said, “The hit dog will holler.” If what I said wasn't true, why am I the subject for Brown’s defenders? The attacks are because there is momentum in the community that has inspired young adults to become more aware and get active. If you can improve this community, don’t talk about it or have others talk for you. Just do it.
Troy D. Brown Jr.
Greenwood
