Curry’s public attacks on Johnson must stop

Thursday, Nov. 30, 2006

We of the National Black Church Initiative (NBCI) are ashamed of the recent behavior by former Prince George’s County Executive Wayne Curry, who we believe is trying to undermine the effectiveness of County Executive Jack B. Johnson’s current administration. For us to stand by and say nothing would be an endorsement of the rude behavior that has infected American — particularly African-American — society in recent years. We in the black church consider it our mission to restore civility to public discourse and hold local leaders and politicians to a high standard of behavior.

Curry, an able and talented man in his own right, has twice called into question Johnson’s honesty and integrity, without facts, in a malicious attempt to stain his moral character. Clergy throughout the District and Maryland metropolitan areas know Johnson as a God-fearing, honest, forthright and honorable man — someone who displays one of the finest characters we can lift up from our pulpits. He is someone we teach our young men to emulate. However, Curry and State’s Attorney Glenn Ivey have sought to cripple Johnson’s political leadership by waiting until the final hour to throw tacks in the road (e.g., endorsing Rushern L. Baker) to Johnson’s re-election as county executive. Curry has also criticized Johnson’s methods in winning one of the largest area development deals ever by an African-American politician – the National Harbor project.

This type of public behavior discourages honest and open debate on the issues. It also causes those outside of the African-American community to wonder why Curry would try to destroy one of the most successful political tenures the District and Maryland metropolitan areas have seen in a very long time. We are stunned by the apparent rudeness and disrespect Curry has shown to both Johnson and the residents of Prince George’s County.

Today, many black youths are destroying their lives, black families are under assault and our most talented black men and women are choosing to divorce themselves from their people and culture. Now we have Curry doing all he can to tarnish the reputation of one of the most effective and talented black politicians on the East Coast. Instead of meeting with Johnson privately to discuss their differences, Curry has sought to publicly embarrass a solid, honest, Christian character — one whom the people of Prince George’s County are proud to call their leader.

Curry, you had your chance to lead Prince George’s County. If you are not going to work with the current leadership in a positive fashion, please be quiet and show a little civility.

Rev. Anthony Evans, NBCI president; Rev. Mark McCleary, chairman, Ministerial Alliance; and Rev. Robert Eddy, lay leader