Editor’s note: This is the first in a multi-part series on issues raised by the forum.
Race, religion and politics are topics some people believe shouldn’t be discussed in public.
The Liberty County branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People believes they should.
The group held a forum Sunday afternoon at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church. It drew a large crowd of community members and local officials.
Panel members were Rev. William Flippin Jr., of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Atlanta, Pastor Debra Grant-Neal of St. Peter’s A.M.E. Church in Midway, Rep. Al Williams, D-Midway, the Rev. Dale Thornton, of Hinesville First United Methodist Church, and former Savannah Mayor Dr. Otis Johnson.
The Rev. Francys Johnson, former president of the Georgia NAACP, served as moderator.
Attendees wrote down questions and instead of hearing the panel’s answers they moved to different sides of the room, showing if they agreed, disagreed or were neutral on a statement or question that was submitted.
Topics touched on many areas such as experiencing or witnessing racism, class and equal access to educational opportunities.