My comments on TCB about the ICRM fiasco and more

The question was "Do you support the city taking over the Intl. Civil Rights Center & Museum?"

My comments:
I selected unsure because the spat has quickly turned into a battle between two elite cliques–the old money types and the east Greensboro power brokers. I remember when the city operated the Generals and how disastrous that was as said team folded one year after the takeover when nobody would step up to own the hockey team. I don’t know that a city takeover would be any better than what has happened for most of the museum’s existence.

On the other hand, how many times was the ICRM’s opening delayed due to whatever excuse Skip & Earl came up with? It’s clear to me that what happened to Lacy Ward was akin to Pat Riley pushing Stan Van Gundy out of Miami: Ward was turning the ICRM’s fortunes around and the two cofounders were jealous about that.

Expanded section (not on the site)
Skip & Earl represent an even bigger problem: They are perpetually stuck in the '60s. This mindset is also the reason why blacks of my generation and younger continually shut them out. For another thing, these old school leaders aren't interested in passing the torch to new blood and then they wonder why younger blacks are disengaged.

The decision to fire Ward wasn't about him adding members, it was about the fact that an outsider was running the ICRM much better than the so-called leaders could ever have.