Forum at YSU puts focus on racism in city

A few people -- black and white -- said the city needs a mayor for all.
By ROGER G. SMITH
CITY HALL REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- The city has never had a black mayor.
So, is it time?
The merits of electing a black mayor carried part of the discussion Wednesday during a televised forum on race in the city.
About 125 people gathered for the hourlong forum titled "Race and Youngstown 2010: Vision or Division?" Turnout easily was double what producers figured.
The discussion aired live on PBS Channels 45 & amp; 49 from Kilcawley Center at Youngstown State University. WYSU-FM 88.5 simulcast the forum.
The crowd was a mix of men and women, from college students to senior citizens. About a third of the crowd was black, the rest white.
A few people advocated electing the city's first black mayor. Primaries for next year's mayoral election are in May.
Annie Gillam, who is black, and the wife of Councilman Artis Gillam Sr., D-1st, said a black mayor would better recognize the problems of blacks in the city.
A few people, however -- black and white -- said the city needs a mayor for all.
Erica Jackson, who is black, said the city needs to elect a mayor who will carry out the Youngstown 2010 plan, not base the choice on race.
Ruth Bolan, who is white, said problems such as low incomes that some blacks face aren't any different from what some whites face. Fixing the problem is the point, she said.
"They're not black problems. They're human problems," Bolan said. "We have to focus on the human problems."
What's needed
Electing a black mayor, perhaps a black female, would further demonstrate the city's diversity, said the Rev. Joseph Rudjak of Sts. Peter and Paul Croatian Roman Catholic Church.
Father Rudjak, who is white, said a mayor with a broad understanding of what all the city's residents need, however, would be the best choice.
Audience members touched on many other diverse topics:
U Ron Miller, head of the Youngstown Area Urban League, said the community is in denial about the depth of racism. Whites deny it and blacks don't want to think racism is as bad is it really is, he said. That results in blacks' failing to become involved to change the situation, he said. "That denial on all fronts needs to cease if we're going to move the community forward," Miller said.
U Jennifer Chupa, who is white, suggested local print and broadcast media collaborate to tell stories that dispel racial stereotypes.
U Clyde Williams, who is black, said The Vindicator and 570 WKBN-AM know what's happening but won't tell the story. Local media need to be more honest, he said.
U Lee Gail Doyle, who is white and a freshman at Wilson High School, said racism needs to be addressed with youths before it's too late. Race already is an issue in her school, she said.
U Melvin North, who is black, said people are hung up on the differences between blacks and whites, but economics underpin that division. Improving the region's economics will ease those tensions, he said. "We need a transformation in this community," North said.
U Jeff Green, who is black, said blacks must be ready to invest in opportunities that are opening up now. Becoming part of the economy will help the black community, he said.
U David Piper, who is white, said schools in the city and countywide need improvement if blacks or whites are going to seize economic opportunities.
Jay Williams, the city's Community Development Agency director and the forum moderator, said the talk met the goal: moving the discussion into the public eye. The audience agreed that more such forums are needed.
"Rarely do you get people sitting around willing to say it," Williams said.