Riverview Youth Outreach & Family Picnic

 

Edward (Eddie) Eugene Long remembrance

 

Mr. Edward Eugene Long, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away on July 2, 2023, at his home in Kingsport, TN with his wife, Mrs. Frances Fleming Long, and granddaughter, Ms. Alyshia Long, by his side, after a courageous ten-year battle with cancer.  He leaves behind a legacy of strength, perseverance, and a profound love for his family.

                           Eddie Long, Douglass Junior Class, 1957

Edward was born and raised in Kingsport, TN, and graduated from Douglass High School, where he excelled both academically and athletically.  

                        Douglass High School Football Team, 1958

He was a multi-sport athlete, lettering in football, basketball, and baseball, while also maintaining an exceptional academic record.

  After high school, Edward proudly served his country as a member of the U.S. Army in the 52nd Medical Battalion, 226 Medical Company.  During his military service, he was stationed in Germany and later at Fort Liberty (formerly known as Fort Bragg) in North Carolina.

Following serving his country in the U.S. Army, Edward embarked on a fulfilling career at Eastman Kodak Company, where he dedicated his skills as the Lead Machinist.  After many years of service, he retired, leaving behind a lasting impact on his colleagues and the company.

Edward’s passion extended far beyond his professional life.  He dedicated himself to the betterment of his community and the youth within it.  He coached at the Kingsport Boys Club and received the esteemed recognition of “Coach of the Year.”  Additionally, he served as the President of the Kingsport Youth Soccer Association, playing a pivotal role in fostering the love of the sport amount the younger generation.

Education was of paramount importance to Edward, and he took pride in earning his Associate’s degree from Northeast State Community College.  He cherished knowledge and believed in the power of learning. 

Nature was Edward’s sanctuary, and he embraced the great outdoors with boundless enthusiasm.  He found joy in activities such as boating, deep-sea fishing, water skiing, hiking, cycling, and camping.  He also had a creative side, enjoying hobbies such as drawing, photography, gardening, and reading.  He also had a deep appreciation and love for music, with a particular affection for Jazz.  As the family historian, he dedicated countless hours to researching and documenting ancestry, leaving behind a precious legacy for future generations. 

Edward was predeceased by his parents, Mr. Willard C. Long Sr. and Mrs. Ressie Hoard Long; his daughter, Ms. Sonya Monique Long; and his siblings, Mrs. Roberta Long Deal (Mr. James Deal Sr.), Mr. Cecil Long, Mr. Walter Long, and Mrs. Virginia Long Cartwright (Mr. Robert Cartwright).  Edward is survived by his devoted wife, Mrs. Frances Fleming Long, who shared a deep and loving partnership with him.  He will forever be remembered as a loving father to his daughter, Ms. Pattina Long; his son, Mr. Gerald Long (Mrs. Keisha Long); devoted siblings, Mr. Willard Long (Mrs. Betty Long), and Ms. Helen Long; and brother-in-law, Mr. Harold Fleming.

His memory will also be cherished by his grandchildren, Ms. Alyshia Long (Mr. Tony Kay), Ms. Ki’Era McKinnie (Mr. Justin Derrick), Mr. Aundre’e Tre’Shon McKinnie (Mrs. Rosalie McKinnie), Mr. Jarys Long, and Mr. Weston Long.  Additionally, he leaves behind his adoring great-granddaughter, Ms. Asiah Kalyce Bell, Ms. Ava Christine Bell, and Ms. Aaliyah Jade Bell.  Edward also leaves behind his step-great-grandchildren, Jesam Estosata, JM Estosata, and Jerose Estosata.

Edward is also survived by a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and cherished friends.  With special recognition to niece, Mrs. Kaye Cartwright Booker (Mr. William Booker), nephew, Mr. Derek Bunting, nephew, Mr. Angelo Fleming, and neighbor, Joe Stuffle.

The family would like to recognize and thank the AMEDISYS Hospice nurses for their care and compassion.

Mr. Edward Eugene Long’s impact on his family, community, and the lives he touched will forever be remembered.  He will be dearly missed but forever celebrated for his strength, kindness, and unwavering love.  The family would like to express their gratitude to all who have offered support and condolences during this difficult time.

There will be a military honors graveside service on Friday, July 14, 2023, at 3:00 pm at Mountain Home National Cemetery in Johnson City, TN.  Military honors will be provided by American Legion Post 3/265.  Those wishing to attend the graveside service are asked to meet at the cemetery at 2:45 pm.

 

Carter Trent Funeral Home Kingsport is serving the Long family.

Edward E. Long passing

 

Edward (Eddie) E. Long, 82, of Kingsport went to be with the Lord on Sunday, July 2nd, 2023.

Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Carter-Trent Funeral Home in Kingsport.

Note from the President

 

Note from Sons and Daughters of Douglass Alumni President Douglas Releford:

"We will not have a meeting this Saturday (July 8, 2023).

I think we all need a rest and a cooling off period."

Douglas Releford, president

The Sons and Daughters of Douglass Alumni Association, Inc.

Cameras helping to inform you of the weather at home

 

Thought you'd all like to see what the weather looks like in Kingsport, after the Douglass Reunion this past weekend.

As you can see, they've had a little rain up there in Kingsport, including Riverview.  This picture is courtesy WCYB-TV.. they, like a lot of public and private entities, have cameras trained around communities to let you all know what the weather conditions are like.  Weather cameras inform the public.

This is an earlier picture from the Kingsport City Hall, legally looking out over city and private where you can see the rain was coming down pretty good.  Luckily, the rain held off for the Reunion.  If you attended, hope you made it home safely!

The Inspiration behind a wonderful mural by Dobyns-Bennett arts students to honor Douglass

The idea for a mural on a prominent hallway wall at D-B was a collaboration between Dobyns-Bennett High School fiber arts teacher Chris Hobbs and then-DB principal Dr. Chris Hampton.  They discussed ways of impressing the history of D-B upon their students, and in that discussion was a mention of how former African-American Douglass High School played an importantly huge role in the progression of Dobyns-Bennett.  It was then decided that a Douglass School mural for all to see in a prominent hallway at D-B would be a wonderful way of showcasing what Douglass meant to D-B's development.  Art students painted the mural in the spring of 2023 and received arts credit for the work.

In the first part of the interview with your Douglass website editor below, Hobbs talks about his discussions with Dr. Hampton on the Douglass mural.  Click PLAY to listen to that part of the interview:

In the second part of the interview below, Hobbs talks about the composition of the mural, including going on your Douglass website and researching the people and the elements of what will make the mural special, and later the Archives of Kingsport.  Click PLAY to hear the rest of the interview, which begins with a very familiar reference to Mr. Dobbins' reasons for his food garden:

And below in the next story, a picture tour of the mural.  

 

Honoring the Douglass Tigers: A Mural in the halls of Dobyns-Bennett High School, Kingsport, TN

Hail to the Tigers!  A mural honoring the Douglass High School Tigers, Kingsport Tennessee's former African-American high school from 1913 to 1966.  Painted by Christopher Hobbs' art class, Dobyns-Bennett High School, Spring 2023, located in the lower hallway of D-B, 1600 Legion Drive, Kingsport, Tennessee.  Click PLAY below to visit the mural:
 

Douglass Alumni Board Meeting Announcement

 

Sorry this is late.

The Sons and Daughters of Douglass Alumni Board will have a specially-called meeting on Saturday, January 24, 2023.

The meeting will be in the Eastman Board Room, 2nd Floor of the V.O. Dobbins Complex Tower, 301 Louis Street, Kingsport.

The meeting begins at 1 PM.

At the meeting, board members and Douglass alumni will finalize plans for the upcoming Douglass Alumni reunion this weekend, June 30th and July 1st and 2nd.

Reflections on Juneteenth: What the celebration means for us

by Tanya Foreman, Kingsport Juneteenth 2023 Chair

June is one of my favorite months of the year. The kids are out of school for summer break, barbecue grills are firing up, swimming pools are open, and the great outdoors is calling with everything from whitewater rafting to road trips along the Tennessee mountains. Last but not least, June marks the official start of summertime.

A couple of years ago, the month of June took on a much deeper meaning, not only for me and my family, but for the entire country. In 2021, June 19 was declared a federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the U.S.

It is a date that connects our nation to the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. President Abraham Lincoln issued a preliminary proclamation on Sept. 22, 1862, which stipulated that if the Southern states did not cease their rebellion to free enslaved people by Jan. 1, 1863, the proclamation would take effect.

However, it was not until June of 1865 that the order was delivered to Galveston, Texas, by General Gordon Granger. Texas would become the first state in the union to recognize June 19, aka Juneteenth, as a holiday in 1980. Today, all 50 states commemorate or observe Juneteenth as a day to celebrate freedom.

Freedom and liberty are now principles long synonymous with the United States of America. For centuries, these concepts have stood as beacons of hope for generations of immigrants from every corner of the globe. Many risked their lives and traded their roots for America’s promise, becoming hard-working citizens whose contributions helped make our country stronger, together.

Although we may not always agree and sometimes struggle with our differences, Juneteenth is a day to celebrate what we can all agree on — a love of freedom in the United States of America.

We encourage you and your family to come out and join us for a wonderful weekend of Juneteenth celebrations, beginning Saturday, June 17, in downtown Kingsport.

I am honored to serve as chair of the 2023 Juneteenth festivities. A proud employee of Eastman, I also serve as global chair of the Connect African American Eastman Resource Group (ERG).

It’s one of six ethnically and socially diverse ERGs at our company of 14,000 workers worldwide.

Eastman wants its efforts to promote a globally diverse workforce and inclusive work environment to extend to the communities it serves as well, by supporting events like Juneteenth. This year, Eastman is primary sponsor of festivities in partnership with the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce and other members of our business community. Together, we will honor and celebrate Juneteenth as a very important day in our nation’s history.

Kingsport Events to Celebrate Juneteenth

 

Here's a list of the events for Kingsport's Juneteeth festival:

Friday, June 16

Twilight Series Concert Downtown Band, 3rd Generation motown/Soul/Modern Pop

Saturday, June 17 - Juneteenth Festival

10 AM-10:45 AM - Unity Walk (meet at 10 at the Kingsport Higher Education building on Market Street)

12:00 Noon - Food trucks open

1:00 PM - Juneteenth Kickoff - Welcome by the first National Ms. Juneteenth, Saniya Gay

1:30 PM - Children's Activities - Gellyball, Corn Hole competitions

2:30 PM - Stilt Walkers/Drummers, Greek steppers

3:00 PM - Barber Shop Talk - barbers giving 40 free haircuts to 12 and under youth, while panel discusses challengers that Black people face in today's America.  Also, Fashion Show/Evolution of Black Hair and Hair Museum.

4:30 PM - Local R & B talent

5:00 PM - Tobias - Christian genre

7:00 PM - Reggae Band

This story by your website editor, courtesy the Kingsport Times-News, Thursday, June 15, 2023:

=========================

"It's all about unity."

Those words from a Kingsport African-American high school student, accurately sum up this Saturday's Juneteenth celebration.

June 19th (officially known as "Juneteenth") is America's newest federal holiday, continuing a tradition in communities of celebrating the Emancipation Proclamation.  The news reached Tennessee during the Civil War and set off many celebrations among enslaved African-Americans.  Even today, the meaning of Juneteenth is not lost on young Black people.  "It's a progression of how far we have come in history," says rising D-B sophomore Ezra Smith-Howard, "and how far we still have to go.  But Juneteenth isn't just an event for Black people... it's a time for everybody to come together and celebrate."

"Before it was declared an official federal holiday, it felt like Black people were celebrating in a vacuum," says Tanya Foreman, Kingsport Juneteenth 2023 Chair.  "It was almost like MLK Day... it meant something to Black people, but it was unconnected to the entire story in our history."

Last month, Tennessee recognized Juneteenth as a statewide holiday, and this year's festival promises a lot of events, many of them entertaining and some of them educational.  One of those, highlights barbershop talk.

"In the Black community, black barbers were referred to as Black surgeons," says Foreman.  "Black hair styling is one of the oldest crafts and industries in the world.  In the historical Black barbershop, a lot of the conversations and mentoring of young Black men took place.  On Saturday, we plan to give 40 free haircuts to kids under the age of 12 and while the barbers cut hair, they'll be taking part in a live, real-time panel discussion.  It's part of a national program highlighting barbershop talks and conversations that have proven very successful among young people.  It also includes a hair fashion show, demonstrating hairstyle evolution."

Juneteenth in Kingsport kicks off Saturday morning with a Unity Walk beginning at 10 AM at the Kingsport Higher Education Center downtown on Market Street and finishing at the Farmers Market.  Walkers will cover 1.9 miles (honoring the official federal and state holiday of June 19th).  At the main venue on Market Street, the first National Miss Juneteenth, Saniya Gay of Delaware will say a few words to begin the festival.

The barbershop talk session begins around 3 PM.  Other activities include stilt walkers, greek steppers and drummers, GellyBall and cornhole competitions for the kids, musical talent including local singers and performers highlighting gospel music, rap music, R and B and reggae music.  You'll also find food trucks, vendors, Umoja representatives from Johnson City, and "Sterl the Pearl," the popular DJ from Knoxville. 

Smith-Howard says he loves all the events, not any one more than the others.  But he loves even more, the togetherness of the festival.  "Juneteenth was a big thing in Black communities after the Emancipation Proclamation finally got to Tennessee," he says.  "I learn something new every time I go to the Juneteenth festivals and I've been to all of them in Kingsport."

As a student of history (he aims to join the U.S. Air Force after graduation from DB), Howard-Smith has read the recent news about Sullivan County commissioner Joe Carr labeling Juneteenth a "woke" holiday not worthy of recognition.  "It's pretty upsetting to know that someone with Sullivan County does not want to celebrate the end of slavery in this country," the 15-year old says.  

Carr sparked mostly outrage in the community with his comments, but Smith-Howard dismissed the commissioner's Juneteenth reaction.  "I'm not really focused on him," he says.  "He is not my priority.  He probably doesn't know about Black History.  He needs to read up and understand why Juneteenth is important to all people, not just Black people.  I will go to the event and enjoy it because I believe in the celebration of the freedom from slavery."

The Sullivan County Commission did vote 17 to 4 to make Juneteenth a countywide holiday.  Organizers hope it becomes an annual event in Kingsport.

"Eastman is proud to be a Platinum sponsor of Juneteenth in Kingsport," Foreman says.  She serves as the company's Education Initiatives Manager and Global Chair of its Connect Employee Resource Group.  "The company is trying to create a community that is more inclusive, and supporting events like Juneteenth is another opportunity to do that."  The Kingsport Chamber is another Platinum sponsor, along with Gold sponsors Ballad Health and Christ Fellowship.  The Silver sponsors are Eastman Credit Union and First Horizon, and Bronze sponsors HOPE - Help Our Potential Evolve and the Kingsport Housing and Redevelopment Authority.  The Copper sponsors are the 400 Years of African-American Commission, the Powell Valley Bank and Wheelhouse Print and Design.

"Juneteenth is a big deal," Smith-Howard says.  "Black history changed with the end of slavery.  It was a big moment back then and it's a big moment to re-live what our ancestors must have felt when somebody told them they were free.  On Saturday, we unite to have that same feeling and celebrate it."

Sullivan County Commissioner Joe Carr: "Juneteenth has nothing to do with Tennessee"

Courtesy the Kingsport Times-News, Wednesday June 14, 2023 written by Joe Carr, Sullivan County Commission, District 9:

A few weeks ago, the Sullivan County Commission added Juneteenth as a paid holiday for county employees. I objected and voted no.

Sadly, I and other commissioners who voted the same way have received threats of political violence, which is always wrong, and not just on Jan. 6 of 2021.

First, to be perfectly clear, no one supports slavery or opposes celebrating emancipation.

Slavery has been universally condemned as a great stain on our past, a sin that has been sadly common across the ages and around the world and is not unique to our continent.

While Juneteenth is indeed a celebration of freedom, for activists on the extreme far left, it is intended as a Trojan Horse for the 1619 Project, a factually discredited revisionist curriculum that woke ideologues want taught in our schools to brainwash future generations with the false claim that the American Revolution was only fought to preserve slavery.

The 1619 Project is an element of a Marxist religion called “wokeness” often associated with Critical Race Theory, a dogma that seeks to train Americans to see all “black and brown” people as helpless victims oppressed by “systemic racism,” and all Caucasians as racist oppressors due to the original sin of “white privilege,” a scarlet letter which no amount of repentance can ever atone for or wash away.

That worldview is endlessly divisive. In fact, classifying people by skin color was the definition of racism just a decade ago — the exact opposite of what Martin Luther King taught us, that no person should be “judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”

Unlike the radical left that has now rejected it, most Sullivan County citizens still believe in Martin Luther King’s dream and reject the slander that America is a racist nation.

Juneteenth itself has nothing to do with Sullivan County or Tennessee. It celebrates the anniversary of an 1865 order proclaiming freedom for slaves in Texas. Would it not make more sense to honor the day slaves were freed in Tennessee instead?

More broadly, what is the limiting principle on commemorative holidays? How many more days off must our taxpayers work and pay to support? And will we allow far-left ideology to influence future holidays on our county’s calendar?

Sullivan County employees already receive 10 other paid holidays a year, not counting election days, and by the time you add all of those up, you’re looking at a cost of over $1 million annually. That cost was not considered, and several county commissioners who are also county employees did not recuse themselves from the vote.

Many forget that conservatives originally opposed Labor Day because it came from the progressive labor movement, which had its roots in globalist socialism.

Columbus Day, which in many parts of the country has been canceled for the sake of “political correctness” and replaced with “Indigenous People’s Day,” was established in 1892 after the largest mass lynching in American history in New Orleans when a mob murdered 11 Italian immigrants.

How long until we are asked to close down county operations for the Transgender Day of Visibility or Karl Marx Day, or, dare I say, Pride Day?

And why should only one side of the aisle get to emotionally blackmail the public calendar?

Why not give county employees another day off on June 24 and call it “Human Life Day” to mark the anniversary of Dobbs vs. Jackson, the decision that overturned Roe vs. Wade’s unconstitutional verdict that blessed the slaughter of over 70 million innocent unborn babies on the bloody altar of sexual gratification.

So, Juneteenth?

Fine by me.

But two sides can tango, and I’m ready for the conservative majority to join the dance.

====================

EDITORIAL REBUTTAL FROM CALVIN

SNEED, YOUR WEBSITE EDITOR:

As you can read above, Sullivan County Commissioner Joe Carr is  again, doubling down on his objection to celebrating the end of slavery in this country, although he does say "no one supports slavery, or opposes celebrating emancipation."  Well thank you Commissioner Carr... that is mighty white of you.  

In the dribblish, rambling "but what about" column he wrote above, he says Juneteenth has nothing to do with Tennessee.  In your website editor's opinion, that's like saying we should not celebrate Christmas in Tennessee because the birth of Jesus happened in Israel, not here.  Following Carr's logic, Tennessee and Kingsport should not observe Thanksgiving because the first Thanksgiving and its celebration happened in Massachusetts, not in Tennessee.  Any observance of Easter is out the window (Easter is not even a federal or state holiday)... but Easter has nothing to do with Tennessee anyway.  Carr's ridiculous reasoning makes no sense.

He also laments about the "threats" that he and other commissioners who voted his way about Juneteenth have received.  What did the commissioner expect, when he makes a ridiculous suggestion in public about recognizing a holiday that celebrates the end of slavery?

So far, Carr has offered no opinion of the national and Tennessee official observance of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Day, except to not include the  "Reverend" and "Doctor" in reference to King's name.  One can only assume that he has a problem with Dr. Martin Luther King Day as well... luckily, no one has questioned him about it.  Yet.

A reminder to everyone.. please come to the Juneteenth celebration in Kingsport this coming Saturday.  Please stand up to perceived racism from a public figure who promised at his inauguration to represent all of the people in his district, whom he claims "are against Juneteenth."  So far, only one email to the County Commission has supported him.. every other communication has condemned his bigotry.

Get ready to dance, Commissioner... instead of the tango, let's twist.

--------Calvin Sneed, your website editor

Agenda for the Douglass Reunion on June 30th, July 1st and 2nd, 2023

 

Your Douglass Alumni Board of Directors has hammered out the agenda for the upcoming reunion, and here it is:

FRIDAY, JUNE 30TH

4 PM - Registration in the Douglass Room, V.O. Dobbins Community Center, 301  Louis Street.

 4 PM to 12 Midnight  - Social, Meet-and-Greet with refreshments, Douglass Room.  Music from DJ Jeremy Ford.  Open Mike for alumni to share memories of Douglass School and the Riverview Community.

SATURDAY, JULY 1ST

12:30 PM - Registration continues in hallway of the V.O. Dobbins Community Center, 301 Louis Street.

6:00 PM - Doors open for banquet, Douglass Room, V.O. Dobbins Community Center, meet-and-greet.

7:00 PM - Sons and Daughters of Douglass Alumni Banquet, Douglass Room, V.O. Dobbins Community Center.  Dinner and guest speakers.

9:00 PM to 12 Midnight - After Party, Douglass Room with DJ Jeremy Ford.

SUNDAY, JULY 2ND

11:00 AM - Doors open for Cookout/Memorial Service, Douglass Room, V.O. Dobbins Community Center, 301 Louis Street.

 1:00 PM - Cookout, Douglass Room, V.O. Dobbins Community Center.

 TBA During the Cookout - Memorial Service with speakers for Douglass Alumni

 

There will be speeches, extra good food, music, good fellowship, special guests and lots of love.  Come hungry because we have also put together a great menu of food for each individual event listed above.  You will get full and Riverview is still a good walk to shed all those calories LOL!

You'll also have plenty of time on your own to explore Riverview, Kingsport (you won't recognize the Brickyard and Clay Hill), and other things to visit in the area (including the Bristol Casino if you choose).

We will see you soon.   Any updates will be posted here.

Have a safe trip home to Riverview!  We can't wait to see you!

Sullivan County Commissioner Meant What He Said: Doubles Down on Comments

          Sullivan County Commissioner Joe Carr, 11th District (Lynn Garden, Ridgefields)

This article courtesy the Kingsport Times-News by reporter Cliff Hightower, 6/10/2026

KINGSPORT — Several people asked for Sullivan County Commissioner Joe Carr to resign or be disciplined following comments made about Juneteenth, a Times News public records request shows.

Carr, though, said he would not back down from comments he made three weeks ago during a County Commission meeting, when he said he wouldn’t vote on a resolution to make Juneteenth a county holiday because it is a “woke holiday.”

“It is unacceptable, but not unexpected, that extremists would make threats against public servants, even ones with young children,” Carr said in a statement. “The Sullivan County Commission will not be intimidated by radical thugs who would turn our community into an anarchist hellhole like Portland.”

The Times News requested email and telephone records that came into Sullivan County Mayor Richard Venable’s office regarding the Juneteenth Sullivan County Commission vote during its regularly scheduled business meeting on May 18.

A resolution was brought up during the meeting to officially adopt Juneteenth as a county holiday. It is a national and state holiday.

Carr voiced opposition, though, alluding to recent events in Nashville that led to protests and the ouster of two state legislators.

Established as a national holiday two years ago, Juneteenth — celebrated on June 19 — commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. It coincides with the day that U.S. Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and declared all enslaved people free. Galveston was the last holdout of slavery in the South after the Civil War.

The commission approved making Juneteenth a county holiday in a 17-4 vote. Carr and County Commissioner Hershel Glover, Joe McMurray and Jessica Means voted no.

The records the Times News received included three emails and five phone calls. Of the five phone calls, four were from out-of-state phone numbers.

THE BLOWBACK

Those voicing frustration in the records demanded that Carr be disciplined, and the majority called his comments racist. The one caller from a 423 area code said he supported all four who voted against the resolution.

“We support Mr. Joe Carr, Hershel Glover, Joe McMurray and Jessica Means in their opposition to Juneteenth as a Sullivan County holiday,” the caller said.

But others disagreed. One person who emailed said she was looking for property in Sullivan County but was “thrown off” by Carr’s comments.

“The fact he went to a public hearing and stated that Juneteenth is ‘woke’ (not used in its original and correct matter and instead used as a cover for racism) and used the term ‘these people’ is disgusting,” the email read. “It’s a blemish on your community. It’s very disappointing.”

Another email states the person lived in Means’ district and was “blocked” from her Facebook.

“I do believe it is my First Amendment right to be able to comment on my commissioner’s public Facebook page used as part of her service as commissioner,” the email read.

Another person who emailed said Carr would have a different perspective if he were Black.

“Commissioner Joe Carr is a real fool for calling Juneteenth a ‘woke’ holiday,” the email stated. “He is the type of backwards redneck that gives the County and Tennessee a bad name. Why can’t people just be kind and respectful of each other? If he were a Black person he’d understand the importance of Juneteenth to the Black race in this country. Shame on him.”

HUMAN IMPACT

One commissioner said there is a human element to what happened after the vote.

Means said she never blocked anyone from her social media pages.

“I had to delete all my social media because of all the threats and hate that was going on,” she said.

She said she has three children and she was worried about the impact on them.

“I thought that was the appropriate thing to do at that time,” she said.

Means said she is not sure when or if she will bring back her social media pages. She said her “no” vote was because she was trying to find more answers.

“I had many more questions about what was going on,” she said. “But people just jumped to assumptions.”

Means said anyone can call her at anytime and that she’s open to speaking about any of her votes.

“People can call me at any time,” she said. “I’m not some faraway, out-of-touch person.”

Editorial Note:  As we have stated previously, The Sons and Daughters of Douglass Alumni Association condemns the comments of Sullivan County Commissioner Joe Carr.  We, as a group, are dismayed and disillusioned first by his comments, and even more dismayed by his doubling down on  those comments.  

We know that prejudice, bias and bigotry have long roots, that eventually intertwine inside a person's soul.   We condemn in strong terms his doubling down on his comments.  First, we urge every citizen of Kingsport, Black and White to attend the Juneteenth celebration this coming Saturday, June 17th.  While we celebrate the freeing of our ancestors 160 years ago, don't forget we, both Black and White, also lived through Jim Crow, the plague that has once again reared its ugly head in the form of a very vocal Sullivan County commissioner.   We, as a community need to rally and support the theory that all men are created equal:  ALL MEN, Commissioner Carr.   Yeah.  All men.

While we don't like what Carr said and the references he makes and defends, we as residents, former residents, friends and neighbors and as a people in general, should be JUST AS VOCAL against those comments.  We can show our enthusiam against hate by coming to Juneteenth next Saturday the 17th.  I (your editor) once heard an old description of human behavior: "when Man does not understand something, he automatically becomes fearful of it."  It is our opinion that Commissioner Joe Carr is afraid of us as a people.  He is a public figure that apparently has never tried to get to know the people of his district (and yes, there are African-Americans and other minorities in his legislative district).  

Let's get down to basics.  Has Joe Carr ever physically MET a Black person?  Has he ever "encountered" a Black person in the store, at a school athletic event or in the checkout line in front of him?  Has he ever actually SPOKEN to an African-American or other minority?  Did the good citizens of the 11th District know what they were getting when they elected him, a la George Santos?  These are not silly questions.  They are simple questions that eat at the root of prejudice and bias in this country.

But what happens after Juneteenth?  We minorities have to live with Joe Carr after the celebration on June 17th.  His apparent misunderstanding and what we perceive as a hatred of African-Americans and other minorities will live on.  That's the thing about cancer.... you can treat it, you can radiate it, use chemotherapy.... eventually, you might even hide it or eradicate it.  Cancer never, ever goes away.  And when it comes back, it always comes back with a vengeance, stronger and more powerful.  Eventually, it will smother the person's life.  Your last words will define your trip through eternity.

 We would like to suggest a meeting between Sullivan County Commissioner Joe Carr and high level members of the county's African-American community, and call upon Sullivan County Mayor Richard Venable to facilitate such meeting as soon as possible.  The meeting should be imminent, immediate and instant.  The purpose would be a discussion of the issues and problems that Commissioner Carr believes are prevalent in the overall picture of Kingsport, and the problems that African-Americans KNOW are prevalent.  If he has never talked to an African-American or other minority, as a public official, he needs to have that opportunity.  No one wants to live and work in a community when some parts of city or county government are not on the same page... where legislators are not talking to "those people" as Carr made reference to, who by the way live in their community.  

Our hearts hurt at the communication revealed in the above newspaper article from the prospective new resident of our community, who is now not considering her decision to buy property in Kingsport, dismayed at Carr's comments.   Can we risk even ONE decision by a newcomer not to relocate to our community?  No, not one.  Carr has now given the group "Move to Kingsport" much more work to do.

A meeting with Carr.  Let's do it.

Sons and Daughters of Douglass Alumni Board Meeting on Saturday

The Sons and Daughters of Douglass Alumni Board will meeting on Saturday, June 10, 2023 for its regularly scheduled meeting.

The meeting will be held in the Eastman Board Room on the 2nd floor of the V.O. Dobbins Sr. Tower, 301 Louis Street, Kingsport.  The meeting starts promptly at 1 PM.

We'll be discussing the upcoming Douglass Alumni reunion.  Please come and bring a friend!

In the meantime, we keep hearing from people who claim they have never heard whether we were having a reunion this year.  Why?  Because they do not give us their correct contact information and if they did, the information is not correct and up to date.  To clear up the confusion, "contact information" is name, address, phone number and/or email address.

So here's a challenge for everybody.  If you are reading this, please call or contact at least 5 (five) other Douglass alumni, and ask them if they know that the Douglass alumni are having a reunion.  If they didn't know and don't have a computer, tell them to bring the $50.00 registration (and alumni membership) fee and just come on down to the Douglass Room at the V.O. Dobbins Community Center on Friday, June 30th at 5 PM.  We'll fill them in on the weekend's events then.

Van Dobbins, Jr. Wins Food Lion Award for Helping Feed the Hungry

 

Deborah Sabo, senior vice president of marketing for Food Lion, and V.O. Dobbins, Jr.  He is the volunteer leader of the Central Baptist church Food Ministry in Kingsport, and the 2023 recipient of the Lion Heart Volunteer Award from Food Lion

SALISBURY, N.C. — Food Lion Feeds recently honored a select group of food banks, volunteers, community leaders and associates at the eighth annual Food Lion Feeds Feedys Awards.

Among thisyear's winners, honored at a May 24 ceremony here, is a man from Kingsport: V.O. Dobbins Jr.

The event celebrates and recognizes individuals and partners who exemplify commitment and dedication to help nourish neighbors facing food insecurity. Food Lion Feeds was founded in 2014 by Food Lion to address food insecurity in the towns and cities it serves.

“We at Food Lion Feeds envision a world where no one goes hungry, where families do not have to choose between dinner and rent or gas and groceries and where everyone works together to nourish families and set them up for success,” said Kevin Durkee, manager of Food Lion Feeds. “Despite each individual and organization’s challenges, they persevere and embrace uncertainty to nourish our neighbors. As a result of their tireless work and leadership, we recognize and honor their exceptional partnership and compassionate efforts.”

This year's Lion Heart Volunteer Award went to the V.O. Dobbins Jr., a volunteer leader of the Central Baptist Church Food Ministry in Kingsport.

The program works with the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee, based in the former Sam's Club building off Exit 63 of Interstate 81 in Kingsport.

"This award recognizes an individual who demonstrates outstanding skills in coordinating and motivating groups of donors and volunteers for hunger-relief projects for the benefit of Food Lion Feeds and its partner food banks," a Food Lion news release said.

"A humble, servant leader of the Central Baptist Church Food Ministry, V.O. Dobbins Jr. has been a volunteer leader for more than 30 years. He served as the purchasing agent and food coordinator in his earlier years. Dobbins’ ability to lead, motivate, manage and inspire others allows the ministry to serve approximately 350 individuals every month through a mobile food distribution model he initiated during the pandemic.

A video about Dobbins' role in supporting hunger relief in his community is available here.  Be sure to hit the "play" button.

OPINION: Every Black Person in Kingsport and Tri-Cities Should Attend Kingsport's Juneteenth

EDITORIAL:  As a journalist, it is taboo for me to express an opinion one way or the other about anything, but Sullivan County Commissioner Joe Carr's recent public comments at the Sullivan County Commission meeting on May 18, 2023 about Juneteenth crossed the line.  It took local African-American citizens back to a time when Jim Crow ruled, and Black citizens in the Tri-Cities were trod under the feet of White people.

Joe Carr represents Sullivan County District 9, along with Joe McMurray.  Their Sullivan County District 9 is in the map below.

In the map above, Kingsport is the area in pink, red and bright green, areas 7, 9, 10, and 11.  As you can see, District 9 (the Carr-McMurray district) in the upper left corner in pink, is the area south of the TN-VA state line, east of Gravely and Leeland Drives, over to Lynn Garden Drive and west to the Hawkins County line following the Holston River North Fork, south to Bays Mountain, then back north to loop around the Fort Robinson subdivision back over to Gravely-Leeland Drives.  In that area is all of Lynn Garden, West Kingsport, Old Kingsport and Ridgefields.

When it came to allocating local money for the celebration of the federally-recognized Juneteenth holiday at the Sullican County Commission meeting on May 18th, 2023, Joe Carr said this, in a story courtesy WJHL-TV.   Click on the arrow below:

In the picture above, Carr, whom you heard in the video is upper left, his fellow District 9 commissioner Joe McMurray (upper right) also voted against allocating money to support the celebration of the Juneteenth holiday locally.  Also voting "NO" was Herschel Glover of Bluff City District 5 (bottom left), and Jessica Means, Blountville District 6 (bottom right).

Thank goodness, the other 17 Sullivan County Commissioners voted in favor of allocating county money to celebrate the national holiday.  The allocation proposal passed 17 to 4.

Joe Carr's comments caused a firestorm around the state.  I'm in the media, and my email blew up the night of the commission meeting.  Every television station, newspaper and radio station that has a news format repeated his comments.  It even made NATIONAL headlines.  In my opinion, Joe Carr caused himself a ton of problems, and brought embarrassment to the place at one point, we all called "HOME."

The Kingsport Times-News weighed in heavily against his comments in this editorial on May 24th:

"It is an embarrassment that four Sullivan County commissioners opposed the county’s participation in the federal Juneteenth holiday as the majority approved it.

Kingsport Commissioner Joe Carr said he would not support making Juneteenth a county holiday because it is a “woke holiday” and “we shouldn’t give these people an inch.” Carr was joined in opposing the holiday by Commissioners Hershel Glover, Joe McMurray and Jessica Means.

“No one in Sullivan County is in favor of this, almost nobody,” Carr said.

We beg to differ. The service of these commissioners is to be appreciated, but clearly they are among those who don’t fully understand the holiday. We refer them to one of the most prestigious conservative think tanks, the Heritage Foundation, and Kay Coles James, emeritus trustee and former Heritage president. Following are her remarks that originally appeared in the Washington Times in 2021.

“Juneteenth — the annual observance celebrating the end of slavery in the United States in 1865 — is a holiday that many Americans haven’t heard of until recently. That has caused some to wonder if it’s just some new ‘woke’ holiday invented by Marxist academics, the creators of the historically inaccurate 1619 Project, or some other group on the left. It is not.

“Juneteenth has been celebrated since 1866, mostly by Black Americans; yet it’s a day that’s worthy of celebration by every American as it represents a critical turning point in American history, not just Black history. It is the day that we as a people finally began to live up to one of the greatest principles we professed: a nation devoted to liberty for all.

“Juneteenth — June 19, 1865 — was the day Union soldiers enforced President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation and freed all remaining slaves in Texas. Also called Freedom Day and Emancipation Day, Juneteenth evolved from a Texas celebration to a celebration of the end of slavery throughout the United States.

“While some will undoubtedly use Juneteenth to push their ‘Hate America’ agenda and racial division, Juneteenth has always been a day for recognizing America as an exceptional nation — a nation that, though flawed, was built on humanity’s highest ideals and endowed with a constitutional framework that allowed us to right our wrongs throughout our history.

“Juneteenth also presents a teachable moment for our young people. It’s an opportunity to tell our youth the larger story of the history of slavery in America — not to shame or to divide, but to put it in its proper context as a considerable and formative part of American history that it truly was. Slavery was a part of who we were back then, and ridding ourselves of it and working toward equality for all is an integral part of who we have become. That history (and all too often, a lack of knowledge of it) still informs the debates we have today.

“Juneteenth also gives us the opportunity to talk about how the principles of the founding — perfect principles espoused by imperfect people — and our constitutional order led this republic to ultimately fight against and reject slavery, and later, against segregation and the practice of separate but equal. By having more complete discussions with our young people about such a critical part of our history and by teaching it factually but also within the context of American idealism, we can begin to wrest this issue from those who constantly try to use race as a wedge to divide Americans.

“Every nation has scars from its past, but we can use Juneteenth as a way to acknowledge our past faults, help heal current divisions, and move toward a future as a nation more united. Let us look at Juneteenth just as we look at Independence Day — as a great turning point for freedom in our nation’s history, and one where we were willing to pay a heavy price to ultimately live out our highest ideals."

--------------------------------------

Not to mention, Letters to the Editor of the Kingsport Times-News in the following days:

***

Regarding the article about Sullivan County Commissioner Joe Carr referring to the Juneteenth holiday as being a “woke holiday" and that no one in Sullivan County supports it, he couldn't have made a more ignorant statement about the reason for and the support of this holiday.  Juneteenth is not woke. It is a celebration for the independence of our black citizens from the institution of slavery. This is surely no less significant than the U.S. holiday of July 4th celebrating the independence of the colonies from British control.  The fact that Mr. Carr refers to this holiday as a woke holiday attempts to undermine the legitimacy of this event and attempts to further cloud this nation’s ugly history of racism.  Thank you, Times News, for reporting this story and letting Sullivan County voters know about the opinions of our local politicians. It gives me hope that 17 of Mr. Carr’s fellow commissioners voted in support of this new holiday.

Steve Rowland,  Kingsport

***

I know and like Bob Arrington. Bob and I differ on many issues, and that's OK. However, Bob's opinion piece on May 26 was on target.  Our country is being divided by grievances which we seek to use to impose personal views on others. Many base decisions and actions on hateful opinions, personal viewpoints and conspiracy theories instead of an understanding and civil discussion of facts.  Juneteenth is a holiday honoring the freeing of enslaved people in our country from bondage. This has nothing to do with "woke." It has everything to do with many of our citizens being granted the same freedom and rights as every other citizen of this great country.  Every person should celebrate Juneteenth, and indeed, every elected official who believes in the principles on which our beloved country was founded. Thanks, Bob, for making that truth perfectly clear.

Rick Toomey,  Kingsport

***

I am embarrassed for Sullivan County Commissioner Joe Carr for his lack of compassion and poor leadership represented by his recent comments opposing the approval of Juneteenth as an official county holiday.  “No one in Sullivan County is in favor of this....”  Did Mr. Carr talk to EVERY citizen in the county?  Not me.  Not everyone at our church I spoke to yesterday. We all favor the holiday designation.  Instead of representing ALL citizens of the county, Mr. Carr prefers to use the bullhorn of his commissioner seat to label “others” while promoting division.  It appears to be a battle cry — publicly displaying his simple lack of understanding of the words “insurrection” and “to be awake.”  Who are “these” people who should “not be given an inch”?  What does that even mean?  Are they citizens who understand history? Clearly, Mr. Carr does not.  And he does not represent the citizens of the county with the dignity we expect of an elected official.

Bob Warner,   Blountville

***

These were just a sampling of the opinions that our neighbors in Kingsport have expressed, regarding Joe Carr's comments and the votes of three of his fellow Sullivan County commissioners.

Now I'll weigh in.  These are my own opinions.  I don't ask that you accept them... I only ask that you give them thought.

As the historian of the Sons and Daughters of Douglass Alumni Association, I, too echo the letters to the editor and the editorial from the newspaper.  I was shocked and taken aback by what Carr said.  For a split second, I thought "wait a minute... Carr and McMurray represent KINGSPORT?  Kingsport is my town.  It's MY town.  It's where I grew up.  My parents raised a family in the 1960's and 70's there.  My daddy was proud to have a little business among the Black businesses based in Riverview.   My father's parents raised a son in the 1930's, 40's and 50's and lived among turn-of-the-century family members whose 1900's pre-Kingsport ancestry dates back to Rotherwood Heights and the Rotherwood slave plantation of the 1800's.  

Part of my heart is in Kingsport.   I will consciously or unconsciously defend Juneteenth, the day that your ancestors and my ancestors were freed from Egypt-like bondage.  Juneteenth is the biggest thing we African-American all share as a people.  I will defend that celebration without even thinking about it.  Some legislators in Florida that subscribe to the "woke" theory (again... whatever that is) would feel that particular historical heritage should not be taught in school---that's another story and another fight.  

I love the people in my town, all of them.  I respect even the small number I've had disagreements with over the years.  Those disagreements made me value other peoples' opinions and I respect them for at least having an opinion, even though I might differ with them.  I love them and today I consider them close friends.  

So what part of Carr's Kingsport am I missing?  Why are we at this point?

All of that being said, Joe Carr's comments are indefensible.  WE are the "THOSE PEOPLE" he is referring to.  His African-American neighbors in Kingsport.  People of a different color and heritage who live within 3 to 5 miles of him.  On a large scale, we're talking every Black person in Kingsport, Bristol, Johnson City, Sullivan County, upper East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia within 50 miles of him.  On a small scale, the small number of Black people in Kingsport who will all come together individually to celebrate the freeing of our ancestors, along with White people who see the need to celebrate along with us.  

People, Carr's comments are a rallying cry that racism is not dead.. some 21st-century politicians, both nationally and locally have seemingly endorsed the bringing back of racism from the Jim Crow era with a vengeance.. that racism is still here now, living amongst us like a cancer that will never die.   We must stand together in the face of this resurgence of hate.  We must fight it ever anew anywhere and any time it rears its ugly head.  We cannot let comments like Joe Carr's go unchallenged.  If you do not fight the cancer, it spreads.  And we have to fight the fight, with White people on our side.  We can no longer fight it alone... we have to have the Dr. King kind of help.. non-violent, but concentrated, standing-together HELP.

Get motivated.  This is an open invitation for EVERY Black person in Kingsport, Bristol, Johnson City, Elizabethton, yea EVERY Black community in upper East Tennessee Tennessee and Southwest Virginia to come to Kingsport and celebrate Juneteenth.  We need that help.   We have been challenged by a Sullivan County commissioner who let the opinions of his heart become public.  There's no taking it back, you cannot put the toothpaste back in the tube.  We cannot unhear what we have heard.  What he said was in his heart, and even apologies are difficult to accept when overt, obvious, unexplainable racism is involved. 

Juneteeth is short term, but what about long term?  We have to forgive, but can we forget?  That is an individual peace we have to make with God individually.  Only He knows in what form racism will raise its ugly head again.  And it will.

The healing begins with Juneteenth, 2023.  Come out to Kingsport's Juneteenth and show your support in the face of Carr's "misplaced comments."  Show him how wrong he is.  We faced comments like those before and only with God's Help standing together, unfortunately we will have to face them again, beyond.

---Calvin Sneed, Vice President and Historian, The Sons and Daughters of Douglass Alumni Association