Durham, N.C. (Sept. 29, 2022) — WECT News 6 published an article Wednesday detailing racist comments made by Columbus County Sheriff Jody Greene. The Southern Coalition for Social Justice (SCSJ) is alarmed and horrified that the chief law enforcement officer of Columbus County used such offensive and disparaging language to describe Black deputies and residents of his jurisdiction.
Today, the North Carolina NAACP, Columbus County NAACP, and Blueprint NC issued a call for a full investigation into Greene’s office, as well as for his resignation. We support their calls to action and urge the community to do the same. Division and discrimination in public office and law enforcement must not be tolerated.
“We’re aware of the role that institutional racism and implicit biases plays in the harm and disenfranchisement of Black and Brown people,” said Marcus Pollard, SCSJ Counsel for Justice System Reform. “Racism at any institutional or governmental level is unacceptable, but it is especially dangerous for an officer who is sworn to protect and serve all citizens to hold discriminatory views.
Being a Columbus County native, I know that we aren’t perfect but we’re better than this. The Sheriff’s statements go against all notions of fairness and equality and he should therefore resign immediately in order to restore any faith the community has in the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office.”
The Office of the Sheriff is the oldest public office in North Carolina. Since its inception, this office has had an unsavory history intertwined with slavery and negatice race relations. For example, White Southern sheriffs often restricted Black residents from exercising their right to vote throughout the South during the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s. Given this history, it is imperative that Sheriffs today build and maintain positive relations with all members of their communities, especially Black and Brown residents.
The Sheriff is the sole enforcer of the law in more rural areas of their jurisdictions, overseer of civil proceedings, manager of the county jail, and bailiff of the courthouse. They also often assist local municipalities in solving and addressing crime.
The Sheriff’s Office has a powerful impact on both the community at large and individuals, with few checks on their power and limited oversight. Greene’s racist remarks raise significant doubt on his ability to impartially enforce the law and protect the civil rights of Black residents in Columbus County in particular.
Media Contacts:
Melissa Boughton, melissa@scsj.org, 830-481-6901
Jenny McKenney, jenny@scsj.org
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The Southern Coalition for Social Justice, founded in 2007, partners with communities of color and economically disadvantaged communities in the South to defend and advance their political, social, and economic rights through the combination of legal advocacy, research, organizing, and communications. Learn more at southerncoalition.org and follow our work on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Felecia Phillips Ollie DD (h.c.) is the inspiring leader and founder of The Equality Network LLC (TEN). With a background in coaching, travel, and a career in news, Felecia brings a unique perspective to promoting diversity and inclusion. Holding a Bachelor’s Degree in English/Communications, she is passionate about creating a more inclusive future. From graduating from Mississippi Valley State University to leading initiatives like the Washington State Department of Ecology’s Equal Employment Opportunity Program, Felecia is dedicated to making a positive impact. Join her journey on our blog as she shares insights and leads the charge for equity through The Equality Network.
