The St. Louis American is on the wrong side again! Your unflattering commentary of Percy Green as a media-crazed, obsolete man is based upon his disagreement with the newspaper’s views on the St. Louis Public Schools. We think Percy’s assessment on the school issues has been on the mark. The last two successful school board elections are evidence of that.
We are surprised that the American had the audacity to question where Percy Green has been on the education issues “for decades.” Actually, that is a more deserving question for the panelists on the Danforth-Freeman Advisory Committee, none of whom have the kind of consistent track record that Percy Green has on the subject of public education.
To accuse Percy of seeking “glory” is totally inconsistent with his character and history of service to this community. We join the many who feel that he has never received his just recognition and certainly would never be considered “Man of the Year” by the white establishment.
You allege that Percy is being driven by some personal vendetta against Mayor Slay for being fired. This is not the first time Percy has been wrongfully fired for speaking out against injustice. Slay is rightfully receiving criticism for his relentless attacks on our community and, in particular, on our schools. If the American did its fair share of criticizing Slay, we would have a far less racial polarized city.
It seems that the Publisher Donald Suggs and the St. Louis American have lost sight of the role of the black press. It is to bring forth the challenges and triumphs of our people in an objective way from a black perspective, to be an advocate of our just struggles and to encourage healthy debate and activism on issues affecting our community.
ACTION ReUnion 2007
Doris Gammon, Treasurer
Judge George Johnson, Vice-Chair