Black unity emphasized

Sen., Chris Buttars, R-West Jordan, was mentioned in a statement at the beginning of a meeting on The State of The Black Community 2008, but the primary focus was on how Utah's black residents can build a more inclusive and supportive network.

A recent comment by Buttars, interpreted by many to be racist, stirred a hornet's nest of mostly negative community response. The comment was "divisive and hurtful," the statement said. Buttars refused to meet with NAACP leaders, who called for his resignation from the Utah Legislature, which he has refused to consider, saying he will run this fall to retain his Senate seat.

After the brief reference to Buttars, Michael Styles, director of the State Office of Black Affairs, master of ceremonies for the event, moved the focus of a panel of community leaders to other issues.

"It's no secret that we're falling farther and farther behind due to our lack of community-building," Styles said.

Panelist Michelle Love-Day, an elementary educator, shared experiences of reaching out to African-American students in her Midvale school. She said that in one instance, she noticed a black girl who didn't know how to do her hair. The girl had white parents and Love-Day felt she might be able to help. At first she was afraid to offend or to step on toes, but when she spoke with the parents they were excited.

Love-Day said the experience was an example of how black community leaders need to reach out to others and show what they have to offer. This was a common theme repeated by the panel of education, business, political and religious leaders who met at the Salt Lake Community College South Campus Friday.

One solution, many said, was attending more meetings like the one being held. Black voices are not being heard in school districts, voting precincts and other civic forums because not enough members of the community are coming out and making their agendas known.

"When school boards meet we need to go and we need to speak and let them know what we demand," said The Rev. Harold Fields, Paster of Unity Baptist Church.

The goal of the symposium and similar meetings is to define a "Utah Black Agenda," said Ogden NAACP president Betty Sawyer. But after the meetings, she said, nothing is ever done and no one "carries the flame." People must be willing to meet monthly, she said, and make sure things do get done.

"I'm sick and tired of talking about it; let's be about it," she said.