I heard Durham Mayor Bill Bell on Fox News a little while ago say there was no racial tension in Durham. He gave the “diversity is good” speech about everyone having an opinion and there being lots of forums in Durham for people to air those opinions, and what a great thing that is. What hogwash! Durham is one big ball of racial tension and it has been for more than two decades. The irresponsible leaders of the Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People (an all-black group, meaning they don’t allow any whites) and the People’s Alliance (an all-white group because no self-respecting black would want to join up with those creepy lefty radicals and hippies trying to relive the ’60s) have managed to keep the racial pot stirring for 20-plus years.

Bill Bell has been one of the saner voices in the Durham political pantheon, but he knows where his votes come from and he panders when it’s necessary. But to say Durham is a healthy place because of all of the irresponsible, racist and demagogic rhetoric of the left here is simply laughable.