Comments on: Charges of racism rock downtown Rotary Club; President hopes controversy brings change

By: Mary Leidig

Mary Leidig — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 15:32:44 +0000

I was not present when the remarks were made at the August meeting of our Downtown Rotary. I am so inspired by Phyllis Nichols’ leadership and equally inspired by all these forum comments. Our country’s new president campaigned on “one America” - and Knoxville is indeed one of those great American communities. Our Rotary 4-way Test posted earlier has to be our daily mantra - so that we are also “one Rotary” - with incredible diversity that lifts all of us up. Thank you Cynthia, for opening the door here.

By: Carmen Hicks

Carmen Hicks — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 19:41:30 +0000

I am sure that Mr, Johnson has done many wonderful things in Knoxville, and I certainly applaud his community spirit. But the danger is that if we excuse those in power simply because there was no harm intended, we are taking enormous steps backwards. We can give our money easily, but the sensitivity must reside in our hearts and be a large part of who we are.. As a Christian and a member of the human race, Mr. Johnson should have known better.

By: Amy Gibson

Amy Gibson — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 19:49:22 +0000

Thank you, Cynthia!!

By: Cynthia Moxley

Cynthia Moxley — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 19:28:17 +0000

Thanks, Amy. This morning I put an update on the bottom of the post to reflect that.

By: Amy Gibson

Amy Gibson — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 19:23:55 +0000

Tuesday, September 1 at our meeting and on the 94th birthday of the Rotary Club of Knoxville, Joe Johnson offered a substantial and heartfelt apology to all members, including Phyllis. Thank you, Joe! I am so sorry that Phyllis was not present to have heard your words.

By: Terry & Bruce Morgan

Terry & Bruce Morgan — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 21:28:59 +0000

Goodness, this is sad, yet hopefully opportune…on many levels. Knowing both Phyllis and Joe and as past member of Downtown Rotary, a female, and as one who believes Knoxville is a great community, not without blemish, but worth uniting, this deserves a response. First, in support of equality, decency, and respect for diversity the comments made on BlueStreak are spot on. Phyllis, we are with you and all for which you stand! No one should be made to feel less at the expense of another, joke or no joke, it is wrong and should not be tolerated…black, white, rich, poor, male, female, democrat, republican and everything in between. In a spirit of healing, not dividing, you need to know that Joe Johnson is a man whose works and Christian heart do more in the name of diversity, charity and servant leadership than you can imagine. He is known by his values and compassionate nature, a legacy now shared and demonstrated by his three sons and their families. If you knew his heart, and what he intended, these results could not be further apart. Joe’s true concern for Phyllis and others is evident when upon learning how the remark offended, he immediately took responsibility to reach out and apologize. Bottom line, if our good President can admit his words hurt, and reaches out to do what is right I know Joe is willing to do the same. (Perhaps some Tennessee Tea is in order.) There is a time for everything and with our encouragement to harness the energy and opportunity around this combined with Phyllis’s visionary nature, I suspect she will accept his apology and seize the great potential to work together towards more awareness and a better Knoxville. They are both good folks and need to be on the same team.

By: Janet Coleman

Janet Coleman — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:56:39 +0000

I shudder to think of the distasteful “jokes” bantered about at the Rotary and other organizations before the inclusion of minority members. Mary is absolutely correct. Diversity is a blessing so let us embrace it.

By: Cynthia Moxley

Cynthia Moxley — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:09:31 +0000

Thanks to everyone for your very, very thoughtful comments. I see they are continuing even today. You all make me proud.

By: Peter Acly

Peter Acly — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 14:11:26 +0000

I suppose it’s inevitable that offensive remarks will occasionally continue to be made, since some people learn faster than others in our society. It’s just an unpleasant fact of life. If we accept this inevitability, then we can see it for what it is: a gradually-disappearing holdover from times past. We all agree that the event in question was offensive — but let’s not forget how far we’ve come as a society. Let’s also hope that we continue to make progress, as I’m sure we will. This can certainly be an opportunity for discussion, learning — and healing. I hope Ms. Nichols can find it in her heart to reengage with the Rotary; that would allow the discussion, learning and healing to continue in the most effective way, to everyone’s benefit.

By: Marty Begalla

Marty Begalla — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 13:32:46 +0000

Talk about a “teachable moment”! We have all had experiences in life when our behavior was at odds with what we want to be and have changed our beliefs so our hearts are changed forever. I hope that the Downtown Rotary can learn to have a change of heart and come to see the blessing of diversity in our world. We have all been lessened by the racial divide in our country and I hope that this “teachable moment” becomes a healing experience.