In January, Justin Laidlaw wrote about a proposal to build a new convention center in Durham that would offer event space for visitors as well as activities for locals. Readers continue to have thoughts about the story:
From reader Wayne via email:
Durham, with its crappy roads, crappy schools, no affordable housing and so much crime they can export it to the surrounding communities, needs a $540 MILLION convention center even less than UNC needs a new basketball facility (so the fat cats can sit in their luxury boxes and order drinks to be delivered to their seat).
Leonardo Williams reminds me of [Harold] Hill, in The Music Man:
“Oh we got trouble,
right here in Durham City,
that starts with T and rhymes with C
and that stands for Crime,
Uuhhh I meant Programs,
We need more Programs,
And a Convention Center
to make me Proud..
Looks like another Bull City Grift to me.
Jane Porter reported on the uncertain future of the Athens Drive Community Library—and residents’ attempts to save the current location from closure once again. Readers had thoughts, and memories, to share:
From Reddit user lessthanpi:
For what it’s worth, I’ve been trying to advocate to the City of Raleigh that strategically, it makes sense to keep the library close to another community asset like Athens High School, especially considering how accessible it would be for high school students with no car and no money. By keeping it close to the school, it means the City, theoretically, only has to invest in the infrastructure around these community spaces once. It amplifies the necessity of safer street infrastructure in a concentrated area where we know more vulnerable users of the public roadways will be present at all times of the day. What an opportunity to build a unique third space, y’know?
But I’m also pretty sure that whenever I talk to council, they just hear the Peanuts trombone voice.
From Reddit user TheDizzleDazzle:
It’s currently located off a trail and transit, including the 11L and [about] 25 minutes (a bit far, I will say) now frequent every 15 minute route 11. Plus being integrated in the school currently makes it a unique community gathering place.
I get the security concerns, but it should be located near where it currently is to stay multi-modal accessible, and serving a lower middle-income community, that has a level of gentle density.
And TikTok user Katy Teaches EC:
That was my high school. I got kicked out of that library many times for shenanigans. Good memories.
Last month, Sarah Edwards compiled a list of Black History Month events across the Triangle. A reader shared his perspective on honoring Black history in Durham:
From reader Min. Paul Scott via email:
In regards to the article “Five Ways to Recognize Black History Month,” Sarah Edwards mentioned how Black History is now seen as subversive in this political climate. What we did in Durham is form a “gang” to combat that, called the Black Hoodie Brigade. We use GANG as an acronym for “Getting Academics Not Guns.”
The movement was inspired by the political education classes of the Black Panther Party but instead of Black Leather jackets, our uniform is the more readily available black hoodie as a symbol of unity and resistance.
We don’t seek permission from others to celebrate our culture, we go to the street corners in Durham and pass out free Black History books and conduct impromptu Black cultural and political education classes. Our motto is “Knowledge is a Weapon.”
So, we do not just celebrate Black culture in February, we celebrate it 365 days a year. What good is celebrating Black History if we are not creating a better Black Future for the youth in the Bull City in 2025.
Comment on this story at backtalk@indyweek.com.