On September 17, INDY published its editorial endorsements for mayor and three city council seats ahead of the primary election that will take place on October 7 (you can find the full list online at indyweek.com). Readers shared their thoughts.
On the Ward 1 race:
From reader Jennifer Zuckerman by email:
I am a middle-class white woman. I moved to Durham ten years ago because I wanted to be in a community with diverse perspectives and leadership that reflected the people it serves. I also wanted to live in a community where that leadership would fight for the people it serves.
I read the September 17 INDY endorsements and was aghast at the coded language embedded in the rubric used to rate candidates. The article specifically named that one aspect of its rubric was “work well with other Council members” which translates to “be polite” and is and has been a tool of both whiteness and power, across history, to silence voices. Particularly the voices of Black women.
As a white woman living in Durham, I cannot sit and read the Indy statement of “commend DeDreana Freeman’s passion” which translates to “she is not rational” followed by a statement that she contributed to “tension on the council” and that we need to “put more energy into the issues the city faces.” Again, translated “we need someone who will agree, and not fight for her people, so we can move our agenda through.”
We do not need a city council where everyone agrees. We do not need a paternalistic city council that silences voices who bring up the real issues our city faces. Those issues require push and pull. Those issues require strength of character, a willingness to listen and hear those most impacted, and then represent those voices. Unfailingly.
Throughout history, Black women have built community—for everyone. To build a Durham where we all can thrive we must have leaders who will fight for us. I want my leaders to speak up, disagree, wrestle with the issues, and keep our city strong. I want leaders like DeDreana Freeman.
From reader Caroline Stoia by email:
I’m writing to object to the racist, paternalistic treatment in your Endorsements column, of the black women running for municipal office. Women who have dedicated themselves to building a community where everyone is cared for and has opportunities to thrive are dismissed as too difficult.
As our country slides into authoritarianism we need council members who are willing to have public disagreements and not back down from their convictions that all people deserve respect, rights, protections, and opportunities.
I ask that you apologize and retract all your endorsements, which are all undermined by your use of harmful, negative stereotypes to destroy trust in these women.
From Reddit user Micahlowens:
Agreed with most of these picks. [Matt] Kopac in particular is extremely well qualified and already had a great track record.
From Reddit user Low-Sand-5227:
Kopac does not have a good track record. If he gets elected we will see even more rampant deregulation and development.
On the Ward 2 race:
From Reddit user Living-Act-9346:
Doesn’t really help those of us on the fence but their explanation made a lot of sense. Both the candidates [Mark-Anthony Middleton and Shanetta Burris] have serious issues and I wish we had better options, but here we are.
From Reddit user marbanasin:
He is still the best option there, as far as I can tell. Like, I get that no candidate is perfect, but he seems to check most boxes from a policy perspective. Seems the INDY really soured on how he interacts with the council and public, which is fair. But unless there’s another option who’s going to take most of the same policy positions I’m not sure what else to do but to vote for him.
From Reddit user my_political_side:
She’s been in the community as an organizer, but seems to be independent and not backed by shady groups. I like her platform, answers on the questionnaires, and have found her well-spoken and knowledgeable at the forums I’ve been to. I can’t think of a way that she could be worse than Middleton.
On Ward 3:
From Reddit user dtoddh:
They got it right with Chelsea Cook. It’s hard to understand why anyone wants this job, but she embraces it. She consistently aligns with my values—and probably most everyone reading this.
And in general:
From Reddit user Maleficent-Common808:
I think they got it right for mayor, missed the mark on 2, and got it right on 3. If there was a race not to endorse in, it would be 1. You’ve got three deserving candidates.
From Facebook user Amanda Wallace:
It’s really weird to write a story that reports concerns for Leo Williams and Matt Kopac receiving endorsements from a dark money group with intent to buy the election to further their pro development agenda … and then endorse them yourselves. Did yall not read your own article?
At this point Indy Week is a part of the problem too!
From Reddit user Blooming Nova:
I hate how little talk there is about transportation. There’s so much debate about housing, which is important, but it relies on a forward thinking and aggressive reimagining of how we get around Durham to be beneficial. So much talk about housing affordability and what’s good for the environment, but everything seems to have the end goal of keeping us car centric, or marginally moving a percent or two away from it. You cannot be affordable or environmentally friendly if you expect people to own cars to participate in society.