NAACP says it's 'disturbing' for 'white folks' to seek to be interim Charlotte, NC mayor because departing Dem mayor is 'black woman'

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg branch of the NAACP in North Carolina said in a post to Facebook that it would be "seriously disturbing" that white people were seeking to be made the interim Mayor of Charlotte. The post has been slammed online as anti-white racism. This comes after the recent resignation of Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles. 

"It is seriously disturbing for white folks to be lobbying to be the interim Mayor in Charlotte. Our Mayor who recently resigned is a Black woman who is a registered Democrat. While Black representation is being undermined and stripped nationwide; White folks are either tone deaf or worse.... self centered! It's not about YOU!" the post from the branch's page said. Although the post did not mention her by name, the post appeared to be in reaction to former Mayor Jennifer Roberts, who has volunteered to serve as interim mayor, per WBTV. 



"In Charlotte, Black Voters have been intentional about having Black representation. What is the consensus after several discussion; If the City Council votes a non-Black person in as interim Mayor again...voters will hold you accountable next year," the statement added. Roberts, a Democrat, was the mayor of Charlotte between 2015 and 2017.  

Hundreds of comments responded to the anti-white post. In a follow-up post to her personal page, the branch's president, Corine Mack, said, "On our NAACP Charlotte-Mecklenburg Branch page, white people are losing their minds in defense of Charlotte having the right to have a white Mayor. Anyone can run next year! This year the City Council will elect the interim Mayor. It is very interesting to watch some white people in a frenzy about Black people loving and supporting Black people. Meanwhile, they create movements and spaces solely for white people all of the time. The outrage must be about any Black person who dares to have an independent thought and opinion. Poor things!"



"White people created race and racism. But, they continue to play the victim and create fake narratives. Everything in this country is predicated on race...white people did that! I won't be silenced! In the meantime, I'm praying for this country," she added. 

Roberts had penned a letter after Lyles announced her resignation and said, “I did not foresee this happening in my career path, but so many people in the community have asked me to offer my service as interim mayor that I feel called to do so."