M. Rick Turner, president of the local NAACP chapter, publicly accused businesses on the Downtown Mall of racism in their hiring practices during the Charlottesville City Council meeting held Tuesday night.
Turner quoted from a letter to the editor placed in The Daily Progress Aug. 14 by local advocate Eugene Williams which said, "There are days and hours when the Downtown Mall area today looks like it is for whites only."
Turner served as dean of the Office of African-American Affairs at the University before retiring and becoming president of the NAACP chapter.
"You will see very few African-American employees [on the Downtown Mall]," Turner said. "This has been a historical pattern of apartheid [and] no one says anything about it. No one wants to have a major discussion [about race]."
Timothy Hulbert, head of the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce, did not dismiss Turner's comments, but called them "anecdotal observation."
"Businesses are required to observe the laws of the United States government and commonwealth of Virginia," Hulbert said in reference to discriminatory hiring practices. "When companies are not in compliance with those laws, they get sanctioned."
Business owners on the Downtown Mall denied the allegations, asserting that their hiring practices seek the most qualified candidates regardless of race.
Robert Sawrey, managing partner for The Downtown Grille, said he does not discriminate in hiring practice, but did note he has had very few black servers in his restaurants.
"I get very few applications from African-American servers," Sawrey said.
Bob Stroh, co-chair of the Downtown Business Association of Charlottesville, said he was surprised to hear Turner's allegation.
"We don't discriminate based on race, creed, origin ... You name it, we don't discriminate," he said.
Turner thinks Charlottesville has not made the community welcoming to black workers.
"You have a climate of omission," Turner said. "People believe the climate is toxic for them. People feel, 'I'm not going to get hired anyway.'"
Stroh said he thinks the issue extends beyond the Downtown Mall, and encompasses the community, state and country.
"We want to be involved in the discussion," he said.
Candace DeLoach, owner of Inn at Court Square, said she believes Charlottesville is an open and supportive community. She added that she does not discriminate in hiring practices and has hired black workers, gay workers and others.
"I just look for qualified employees," she said "I don't see why color should matter to anyone."
Turner said he has experienced the issue of discriminatory hiring as he travels the downtown area.
"Go through the stores and see for yourself," he said.
Turner said he made the comments at this week's Council meeting to make others aware of what he perceives to be an ongoing and unaddressed problem.
"I have to keep reminding people of justice," he said.
Read More
U.Va. researchers identify that HIV drugs can protect against Alzheimer’s disease
By Lauren Seeliger | 2 days agoDoctor Jayakrishna Ambati and his research team have begun work on a new drug called K9 which could treat and prevent Alzheimer’s.
Graduating students share their future plans as they enter the job market
By Nina Broderick | 4 days agoMany students find the Career Center to be a valuable tool during the job search and application process.
U.Va.’s Finals Weekend spotlights the achievement and service of the Class of 2025
By Leigh Bailey | 5 days agoIn University President Jim Ryan’s welcome address, he acknowledged the support of family members and friends present in the audience and beyond that played supportive roles in these graduates’ lives.
