In an op-ed in yesterday’s News & Record, former International Civil Rights Center and Museum Bayard Love attempts to “provide some additional clarity” regarding the “mystery” and “suspicion” surrounding his rather abrupt departure.
I’ll go ahead and throw Love a bone here and go along with the museum’s official line that sometimes certain people don’t work out in certain positions–which is basically Love’s position in the op-ed. Love added that he “felt pulled to do more training and consulting work directly related to organizational strategy and racial inequity. On that, there’s this:
In addition to my feeling pulled away, my exit freed up resources that the team is now able to invest in specific priorities for 2016. This year, the museum will complete the city loan reconciliation and the seven-year tax-credit arrangement that made the renovation possible; both processes are of critical importance and require specific financial and accounting expertise. My plans are to be in Greensboro for the time being, and to stay engaged in work that is directly related to the museum’s mission. I’ll also be available to work with the museum on particular projects, as helpful and appropriate, given evolving needs and priorities.
Boy if there was ever a softball for museum critics—– not sure how much salary Love was drawing but perhaps the museum could put it toward the $57,000 in property taxes it owes county and the city. Yet another example of the tone deafness that permeates this organization and all who associate themselves with it—and yes that includes board members Mayor Nancy Vaughan and City Manager Jim Westmoreland.