"Durhamites deserve politicians that are held accountable for their actions, despite their personal motivations. They deserve a city where their government is looking out for them, regardless of their diverse backgrounds."

CORRECTION:

If you had asked me two months ago, I would not have been able to tell you a single thing about Durham’s local government.

In my defense, I’m not originally from Durham. I don’t live there either. For the sake of transparency, I’m a UNC-Chapel Hill student who just so happened to dive into their local political scene while writing for The Durham Voice.

But after being introduced to this world, it was impossible not to become a part of it. Admittedly, I’ve learned more than I expected.

I still may not be an expert on every issue, haven’t interviewed every candidate and don’t have the lived experience that Durhamites could contribute. But, as an outsider, I’ve noticed a theme that I can’t reasonably ignore. The Durham political scene isn’t what anyone would refer to as normal.

Isn’t that the blanket statement of the century? Stay with me while I explain.

Typically, a local government has its issues. Personally and professionally. But a local government should also be able to separate the personal from the professional, with a common goal of serving the public as efficiently as possible.

At the very least, they should be able to keep it together during open sessions and public appearances.

From what I’ve observed recently, we’re too focused on the personal in Durham. Relationships, on the city council and in the mayor’s office, have strayed so far from any sense of normalcy that, compared to other local governments, the Durham City Council is hardly recognizable.

Take former Durham City Councilwoman DeDreana Freeman’s behavior at an Aug. 5 candidate mixer, in which she repeatedly poked the arm of Nida Allam, the chair of the Durham County Board of Commissioners. This physical altercation, which we’ve lovingly dubbed “Pokegate” at the Voice, strays so far from any past semblance of decency that it’s almost laughable.

It’s fair to assume that the interactions between members of the local government can be somewhat contentious. Certainly not ideal, by any means, but at least something we can expect.

But when the lack of professionalism extends to members of the constituency, that’s where any reasonable Durhamite should draw the line.

That line was drawn this past summer, in the mayor’s office, no less. Durham’s recently reelected mayor, Leonardo Williams, notably referred to young people in Durham as “YNs,” an abbreviation short for “young [racial epithet],” at a July 3 town hall.

This language is perhaps the best recent illustration of the lack of professionalism within Durham’s government. As the youth crime rate in the city remains unprecedentedly high, referring to some of our most vulnerable populations with such derogatory language only seeks to create a self-fulfilling prophecy.

For those targeted by Williams’ name calling, this language seeks to confirm what the world is already telling them: that they are unable to rise above their station and that their individual identities don’t matter.

Those in the mayor’s office should be uplifting our youth, not forcing them into predetermined, limiting boxes.

It can be downright scary to learn what’s going on in Durham politics these days. But the more I hear about these “headlines,” the less I can feign surprise.

It’s becoming easier and easier to write these scandals off, to say this is just what happens here in Durham. But it shouldn’t be that easy.

There is a solution, one that starts by placing the blame where it truly belongs. But it’s clear that, when considering fractures within the government, the call is often coming from inside the house.

Durhamites deserve politicians that are held accountable for their actions, despite their personal motivations. They deserve a city where their government is looking out for them, regardless of their diverse backgrounds.

They deserve a government that fights for those the system tries to hold back. And they deserve politicians who can keep their hands to themselves.

Unfortunately, as a college student who rarely sets foot in Durham, I don’t have all the answers. I can’t name names or wax poetic about specific policies.

But I know Durham deserves better than this. And, based on what I’ve seen, I’m not so sure that it’s what we got during this election cycle.