Apology from the Publisher
By Russ Greene
First of all, Jim “Pappy” Moore is unapologetic about what he wrote in his column last week.
In retrospect, The Mirror shouldn’t have published it, especially during Juneteenth week but really there is a never a good time for such reckless rhetoric.
I have always been a strong advocate of the First Amendment. Moore’s words didn’t cross the line in that regard. But what he said appeared to be deliberately hurtful, especially since he “doubled down” in our subsequent email exchanges.
As the publisher of this newspaper, one got by me (maybe the last two, to be honest). I regret this and I will correct it by not ever running his column again short of some kind of acknowledgement by and contrition from the writer for the harm he has caused.
For those who think Phillip Williams is the publisher and want to blame him, he had nothing to do with it. It is all on me. I had the final say.
Again, I apologize.
Now please read the next “Breaking News” item on this site — Eric King’s brilliant explanation of the various ways Jim “Pappy” Moore went wrong in his infamous column.
Too little too late. The title alone should have been enough to know that this should have never been printed in the first place. First amendment protects the freedom of speech, it doesn’t guarantee that you print every single opinion column that is submitted. THAT was a choice.
I applaud your apology and public acknowledgment of fault. I was raised in the newspaper business, and I understand how this can happen.
Typically, in a small newspaper, canned columns bought on subscription go directly to typesetting. Because they are packaged by reputable distributors, it’s easy to assume they have been heavily-edited and ready to print.
This scenario is played out daily in newspaper outlets all over the world. I truly hope this is what happened. VERY unfortunate topic; VERY unfortunate print date.
Typesetting and graphic designers are not journalists, and certainly not editors. Read everything before they do.
I sincerely hope the backlash is not too bad. Good luck.
Kate Stow
Publisher & Editor
Hometown Press
Cass County, Texas
I applaud your apology and public acknowledgment of fault. I was raised in the newspaper business, and I understand how this can happen.
Typically, in a small newspaper, canned columns bought on subscription go directly to typesetting. Because they are packaged by reputable distributors, it’s easy to assume they have been heavily-edited and ready to print.
This scenario is played out daily in newspaper outlets all over the world. I truly hope this is what happened. VERY unfortunate topic; VERY unfortunate print date.
Typesetting and graphic designers are not journalists, and certainly not editors. Read everything before they do.
I sincerely hope the backlash is not too bad. Good luck.
Kate Stow
Publisher & Editor
Hometown Press
Cass County, Texas
You both owe apologies, but NEITHER of you mean them! You should have kept yours like Pappy did.
I have no idea who Comedian Chris Rock is, but if what Pappy Moore says he said is true, I have absolute agreement with that advice. It’s advice that applies to all people, and has nothing to do with race except for the race baiters who make it about race. It has to do with common sense, personal responsibility, accountability and respect.
What Pappy Moore said about ” the huge number of Black Men and Women in America” is undeniably true. AND, what he said about those at what he labeled “at the bottom level–the criminals, the grifters, those always with their hand out, always blaming the world for the mess their life is”, is equally true in the black community, as it is in any majority white, asian, or hispanic, or whatever community. What Pappy Moore said about the black boy who killed the white boy is also true, and was confirmed by a jury verdict. What he said about black people in America killing more blacks than those of other races killing blacks is also true, as well as the “slaughter” of blacks (babies) by their black mothers, as anyone who knows the origins and purpose of Planned Parenthood is fully aware. All these assertions are backed up through research by sociologists, criminologists, and more.
People calling for an apology from Pappy Moore for stating truth (though he didn’t cite the sources to back up the facts), and calling him a racist, OR calling the Gilmer Mirror racist for publishing it, or only revealing their own ignorance of the facts. The founding leader of the Civil Rights movement, the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., led NON-violent marches and protests in support of equal treatment under the law. While Jesse Jackson hung on to the Dr.’s coat tail, he identified strongly with Malcom X, and failed to carry out the legacy of Dr. King’s dream for “people to be viewed, and valued, by the strength of their character, not the color of their skin.” Dr. King wasn’t a perfect man, but he was a Christian, who called all people, but especially those of his own race, to strive to achieve a higher standard of character. HIS legacy is upheld today by his niece, Dr. Alveda King, not the hate driven hucksters that Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton epitomize.
While I do not disagree in general with Pappy Moore’s concluding statement that no one can save the black community until “good” black people take back control of their community, I would daresay that the same is true for the white, Asian, Hispanic , etc. of EACH and every race and ethnicity in America today. What Pappy calls “Good” people, I call the Christian leaders in each community who will stand together to restore a strong work ethic, assume personal responsibility to provide for their families, take courage and TEACH how to resist the call to violence, the temptations to let themselves become addicted to destructive behaviors or substances, TEACH the boys and young men that they will be held accountable by a much higher authority than a police officer or a judge, TEACH the girls and young women to follow the Biblical model for femininity, which includes respecting and honoring their fathers and their husbands as opposed to competing with them or trying to replace them….in other words, lift each other UP through the power available to us all, rich or poor, every race or ethnicity, male or female, Gentile or Jew…the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. HE is the only one who can save us!