by Attica Scott
No Justice, No Peace!
"Beyond survival lies the potential to perceive more clearly both a reason and the means for further struggle."
—Derrick Bell, 1992
I wrote this same headline for a story in the Knoxville College newspaper almost 10 years ago. The story was about a student protest being led by none other than Danny Mayfield. What the protest was about is not important, but what is important is that I am again using this headline for another Mayfield.
It is an injustice that our City Council and mayor did not listen to the voices of the people who vote for them in making a decision to fill Danny's seat. We turned out en masse in support of Missy. They didn't value our wishes then, nor did they respect the last wish of their own colleague.
When our vice mayor, Jack Sharp, refused to postpone the City Council's vote on a replacement for Mr. Mayfield, it was apparent that a decision had already been made on his replacement.
How dare our elected city officials not first and foremost afford Mr. Mayfield's widow the decency and respect of offering her the opportunity to finish her husband's work before considering anyone else?
The question must be asked of our officials: Have you forgotten so quickly who made it possible for Danny to serve as effectively and efficiently as he did? Melissa "Missy" Mayfield is an exceptional networker and organizer who did whatever it took to support Danny and to maintain a strong family unit. Missy opened up her home and made it campaign central and then headquarters for the Mayfield Cabinet. She was right in the thick of campaigning and strategizing.
Missy is an intelligent and politically savvy person who served as treasurer during Danny's mayoral campaign. She has been involved with a number of grassroots community groups and organizations including African American Appalachian Arts, Citizens for Police Review, and Solutions to Issues of Concern to Knoxvillians.
Missy shared with Danny his "trial by fire," during his first time in a public political office. She witnessed first-hand people who had supported Danny during his City Council campaign publicly denounce him when he decided to run for mayor. In most instances, folks who realized that Danny would be no one's "boy" or puppet on a string withdrew their support for him.
Missy is no slouch. As a student at Knoxville College she was president of our alma mater's honor society and was active with her sorority. Missy went on to earn a graduate degree from the University of Tennessee while juggling the joys of being a wife and mother.
And there is no denying or ignoring her commitment to the 6th District. Missy lives and worships in the district and is well aware of the concerns and issues of its constituents. That is why she stated emphatically and on numerous occasions that she wanted to complete her husband's term of office.
City Council had 30 days in which to make a decision. Anyone rushed into that seat will be seen as the opportunist that they are, in every negative sense of the word.
It is not too late for us to continue the fight. We demand a recount! Folks need to call our mayor, vice mayor, and all City Council members in support of Missy. Remind them that we voted for them. Start petitions.
If you have access, email the mayor and write letters in support of Mrs. Mayfield completing her husband's term of office. Continue to attend and speak out at every City Council meeting from here on out.
Is our City Council that intimidated by an intelligent, African-American woman that they would railroad her out of this opportunity? My goodness, eight months is all that's left of Danny's term of office.
To Councilwoman Malone, you represent the district in which I live and you are one of the very few members of Council with dignity and integrity. Thank you for representing us well.
Until there is justice, there will be no peace!
March 1, 2001 * Vol. 11, No. 9
© 2001 Metro Pulse
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