Just when you thought it couldn’t get any stranger down at the International Civil Rights Center and Museum, board chair Deena Hayes Greene pulls another card out of her sleeve. If you guessed it’s the race card, you would be right —but then again, what would we expect from Hayes-Greene based on he years serving on the Guilford County Board of Education?
With questions still swirling around in the wake of this week’s dismissal of executive director Lacy Ward, Hayes-Greene called a private meeting involving 60 “community leaders” to discuss Ward’s dismissal and the museum’s status. Among those receiving invitations were a couple of first-class race baiters: the Rev. Nelson Johnson and the Rev. William Barber.
The Rhino’s John Hammer specualtes —not unreasonably —that the museum is simply out of money for operations. With Mayor Nancy Vaughan —who voted not to fire Ward —publicly stating that the museum will get no more money from the city (other that what’s already been approved by the City Council) it appears as though Hayes-Greene has turned to outside influences to somehow keep the museum afloat, though exactly how that will happen is unclear pretty much to everyone.
The N&R reports Hayes-Greene didn’t include museum board members —including Mayor Vaughan — in the invitation. Giving her the benefit of the doubt, perhaps it’s assumed board members are invited. If not, the board should call a meeting and vote to fire Hayes-Greene immediately. But somehow I don’t think that will happen.
