The response of Sheriff Gay concerning the election of Sheriff-elect Woodard cannot effectively be addressed in this short communication, but too much should not be dismissed.
Such as... "I'm telling you in my opinion, he is not the right man to lead this county for the next four years, and I'm going to do everything I can to see that the right person is in position to do it." With a vote of 6,586 to 4,082, the people decided who they believe is the right person.
Whether an election has white candidate, candidates of color, or a white opposing a person of color, the issue of race will surface because politicians strategize on how to win, reaching out to all groups, promising whatever in order to get the vote. Some are sincere; others aren't. The post-election pictures of both candidates captured a diverse group in each camp, thus upholding the hope of many that America continues to inch closer toward what our soldiers died for -- real freedom. The freedom to choose, regardless of color, the person we believe will represent and can more effectively aid in navigating the city in the direction of our best interest.
What gave me more reason for pause were these quotes, "... the election has divided Wilson County as much as it has ever been divided. I call upon Calvin to try to rebuild on what he has torn apart" and, "...Woodard's fight is not over." For as much progress as has been made and hopefully will continue to make, Wilson, North Carolina, is no more divided since the primary election than it was the day I moved here 10 years ago. Although I do not know either candidate personally, I understand the joy of winning and the devastation of defeat. But despite the disappointment that Sheriff Gay and many of his supporters, black and white, feel over the loss, the first step to rebuilding what he perceives has been torn down or getting past any divide this election allegedly has caused is to first choose his words carefully.
The reckless usage of words opens up old wounds that aren't easily healed. I believe an essential reason Mr. Woodard won the primary is because the voters chose the person in whom they believed would bring their city, that was already divided, a step closer to the dream of having a "more perfect union." No, we aren't there, yet...but if we continue to move forward, we will get there."
Article written by E.D. Arrington
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