ROBERT FORD COMMITTEES: SENATOR, CHARLESTON COUNTY BANKING AND INSURANCE SENATORIAL DISTRICT No. 42 CHAIRPERSON CIVIL RIGHTS AND AFFIRMATIVE ACTION HOME ADDRESS: CORRECTIONS AND PENOLOGY PO. Box 2] 302 JUDICIARY CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA 29413 LABOR, COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY TELEPHONE: (843) 852-0777 MEDICAL AFFAIRS EMAIL: [email protected] S.c. LEGISLATIVE BLACK CAUCUS WEBSITE: HTTP://SENATORFORD.NET/ INVITATIONS COMMITTEE
April 13, 2011
The Honorable Nikki Haley Governor, State of South Carolina State House, 15t Floor Columbia, South Carolina 29201
RE: A Celebration to Put an End to Racial Bitterness in the United States
Dear Governor Haley:
For you to replace the only African-American on the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Board of Trustees is unbelievable. This action is not accepted by 80% of the state. From April 12, 2011 through April 1, 2015 it is estimated that over two million people will visit South Carolina for the Sesquicentennial celebration & commemoration of the War Between the States.
On April 12, 2011, I was at activities at White Pointe Garden. As you know, this is the park adjacent to the Battery. There were thousands of people in attendance to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the War Between the States. Every speaker concluded their remarks by indicating the purpose of the celebration is to unite the south and United States by putting an end to racial bitterness.
Governor, you are a part of the smallest minority group ever to be elected Governor, in any state, in United States history. In the general election, led by Maurice Washington of Charleston, South Carolina, several thousand African-Americans, particularly females, voted for you. And as you know, over 30% of Republicans that voted did not vote for you.
It's hard to imagine that any leader of a state, especially one like South Carolina, which is largely populated by African-Americans, would not see the need for diversity.
In the early 1970's, State Representative Robert Woods of Charleston, South Carolina was able to pass a piece of legislation that increased all board committees by two members so that the Governor could appoint African-Americans and women. At that time, the General Assembly was 100% democrat and there were no African-Americans on boards and commissions. I believe that the law is still on the books. But even if it is not, you still have a responsibility to be fair to all citizens of your state.
Working hard for the citizens of Senate District 42 and South Carolina! NOT Paid for at Taxpayers Expense SEN. ROBERT FORD PAGE -2-
I have attended more than eleven Tea Party meetings throughout the state of South Carolina. And my purpose for attending those meetings was to prove that the Tea Party is not based on racism. I know for a fact that the Republican Party is not a racist party. And in the state of South Carolina, under your leadership, should not become a racist state.
If anyone should understand diversity Governor, it should be you.
About 11% of African-American voters in South Carolina consider themselves Republicans and most of them have a lot of love and respect for Paula Orr who you replaced with a white male on the (MUSC) Board of Directors.
It's mathematically impossible for anyone to win an election state-wide in South Carolina without a significant number of African-American votes.
Governor, I am asking you to find some African-American advisors in your administration so that the decisions you've been making pertaining to race will improve.
It is painful for me to write this kind of letter to you because I have been defending you all over the state of South Carolina.
Maurice Washington was Mark Sanford's go-to guy on issues directly relating to African• Americans. And because Maurice Washington supported you in the last general election, I'm asking you to make Maurice Washington your go-to guy for matters of diversity.
PLEASE make "unity", the theme of the 150lh anniversary of the War Between the States, a reality.
Sincerely,
Robert Ford State Senator District # 42