There are no leaders in the St. Louis community more sincere than Percy Green. But let’s keep it real. Who really owns this newspaper? Since Chris King, a white man, is the editor of this publication I guess he enjoys promoting this kind of rift.
Percy is part of a movement of solidarity. The St. Louis American (“the col-led news”) no longer represents the needs of African Americans of this community if white staff members have the power to promote this kind of negativity.
Responsible newspaper editors exercise judgement when it comes to publishing articles and letters. Obviously, this editor finds merit in bashing our community leaders. The last thing we need is any staff on a black newspaper being a party to dividing African Americans on issues that affect African-American children – our future. However, I am convinced that this gross negligence on the editor’s part will result in a profound demonstration of continued solidarity!
Linda Smith
Via email
Editor’s note: The longtime publisher of the American, Donald M. Suggs, is a
black man. He is the only “power” behind the St. Louis American. The longtime
contributor to the EYE who wrote the recent criticism of Percy Green also is a
black man. As subsequently explained in the EYE, Green had attacked Suggs –
personally – regarding the most effective approach to reform the public schools
and improve student achievement, and the EYE simply responded in kind. The
American, including its white editorial director, responds as a team whenever
there is an unwarranted attack on the paper or its publisher, regardless of the
past (or present) achievements of the attacker. As King explained personally to
the writer of this letter, the American has repeatedly praised Percy Green on
his editorial watch, far more than any other local publication, including a
cover story on Dec. 7, 2006, which openly plugged for contributions to the fund
to pay for Percy’s wax figure. Going back a little further, Percy will find in
his press clippings a front-page Black History Month lead feature from Feb. 16,
2006 announcing the wax figure fund (including a full-color illustration that
King commissioned and Suggs paid for) and a front-page Black History Month lead
feature from Feb. 9, 2006 celebrating the history of the Organization for Black
Struggle.