My good friend Dr. Artis Cash, now unfortunately deceased, told me many times that he had been called "everything but a child of God."
I understood his comments then, and still do now, some five years after his death.
If one publishes blogs and/or editorials for many years in local publications like the Shreveport Sun, the
Shreveport Times, Forum (now 318 Forum), and FOCUS SB/The Inquisitor, then name-calling can be expected.
It comes with the turf.
I expect it and accept it, although I do not like it.
But again, it comes with the turf.
This year charges of racism have been made against me at Shreveport city council meetings, social media posts, emails, and texts.
After filing a defamation suit against an African American councilman, I expect a barrage of those attacks.
And I am ready.
I like facts not fantasy.
So here are some FACTS that should be considered when evaluating racism charges against me:
1. I formed the first black-white law firm in north Louisiana.
2. I represented Shreveport Minority Contractors in litigation at NO CHARGE.
3. I represented the Shreveport chapter of NAACP in litigation at NO CHARGE.
4. I received a special recognition award from the Shreveport NAACP chapter.
5. I have an African American editor and an African American paper carrier.
6. Three local African Americans publish editorials in FOCUS SB.
7. I served on the Board of Directors of Security National Bank.
8. I served on the Board of Directors of Neighborhood Housing Services of Shreveport.
9. I served as co-chairman of Hersy Jones' mayoral campaign.
10. I have contributed to the election campaigns of many African Americans, including a $500 contribution to Shreveport councilwoman Tabatha Taylor and an attempted donation of $400 to Shreveport councilman James Green which was returned with note that he self-funded his campaign effort with no contributions accepted.
11. Many local African Americans have appeared as cover personalities in FOCUS SB, including but not limited to:
a. Executive Director of United Way
b. Executive Director of The Providence House
c. Executive Director of Dress for Success
d. Executive Director of The Fuller Center for Housing
e. Executive Director of SEEDLINKS
f. Executive Director of The Rutherford House
g. Attorney Jackie Scott
h. Then interim Shreveport City Marshal James Jefferson
i. Award winning Queensborough Elementary School principal Marco French
j. Antioch Baptist Church Pastor Bruce Carroll
k. Executive Director of SPORTRAN
l. Interim SUSLA chancellor Dr. Appealing
m. Orlandeaux's chief/owner Damien Chapman
n. LSU Health Shreveport's Dr. Markey Pierre
o. Caddo Parish poet laureate Poetic X
p. wife and husband Dr. Carranza and Evelyn Pryor
q. former Army ROTC Director Louis Wells
In the next six weeks the following African Americans will be FOCUS SB cover personalities:
1. Centenary College Head Football coach Byron Dawson
2. Shreveport Olympic champion weightlifter Kendrick Farris
3. soon to be retired Caddo Administrator Dr. Woodrow Wilson
NONE of these individuals paid any money to be on the cover.
Just this week I have published blogs on the new Bossier Public Information officer and the soon to be nominated Shreveport city attorney, both of whom happened to be African American.
I have apologized to Council Alan Jackson in my blog for the reference to being a "Bowtie boy".
My refences to councilwoman Tabatha Taylor as a camera hog fit the definition of a "camera Hog"...that being a person who like to be in the center of pictures, TV coverage, and council comments.
A councilman has advertisements on his church’s website for Beard Butter, which evoked the reference to Beard Butter.
I have referred to the reality of a political campaign as being a "tar baby" which a candidate must live with.
I did NOT call anyone a "tar baby."
Unfortunately, the "race card" is frequently pulled out of the deck by individuals not liking my columns, and especially when I address FACTS not to their liking.
I do NOT intend to address this issue any further.
John Settle
P.S. Five of my eight guests at yesterday's North Shreveport Business Association's annual crawfish boil just happened to be African Americans.