Willie Green’s Response to Jasmine Bell on the Sports Facility & the true Victim of Character Assassination:
May 7, 2019
Jasmine,
In response to your comments on the Kings Mtn proposed sports facility and my proposed sports facility in Shelby and who would “reap the benefits.” I only know of one organization in KM that is working to build a sports facility, and if it’s the organization I think you are referencing, then I believe you are comparing apples to oranges and I don’t think you have done your homework on my proposed sports facility and just who would actually benefit.
Just a few side-by-side comparisons of my sports facility and the KM sports facility I think you are talking about. My facility will have 6 basketball/volleyball courts to host large travel ball events and other sports competition throughout the entire year, the KM facility will have 1 basketball courts and will not have the ability to host large travel ball events, my facility will have indoor and outdoor turf field for sports specific training and weightlifting for all the student-athletes in Cleveland County and surrounding Counties who wish to participate and will be trained and supervised by certified trainers, the KM facility will not have turf fields for training, my facility will have an on-site physical therapy/rehab center for injured athletes to receive treatment, the KM facility will not have a therapy/rehab center. My facility will help student-athletes get the needed exposure to college scholarship opportunities and will have a scholarship program for those athletes through my foundation who did not receive a sports scholarship but want the ability to have a second chance to walk-on and possibly make a college sports team. I am a product a prep school that gave me a second chance to get a football scholarship and go on to play in the NFL and I want to make sure that I give the hard-working athletes on our Cleveland County sports teams, including the kids in the KM sports organization a second chance to see if they can play on the college level and possibly professional level. I don’t know if the KM organization will have a program to address a second chance scholarship program. I also met with the KM organization and its’ key stakeholders to discuss a partnership, like I did with several other sports travel ball organizations in Cleveland County and they were not interested in a partnership.
I also urge you to watch or read my presentation, I gave in front of the County Commissioners last year, you will see that “no one individual will reap the benefits” of my proposed sports facility. Under my proposal, (a) there will be an $8-$10 million annual economic impact to the county and municipalities from hosting year around weekend travel ball tournaments, and other sporting events taking place at my facility. Revenue will be generated from teams and families staying in our local hotels paying a 6% Travel Tourism Tax that goes to the county and city governments and given to organizations in the form of a grant that promotes travel and tourism, those visitors will eat at our local restaurants, and shop at our local retail stores, none of which I own and would individually reap the benefits. (b) [T]he student-athletes would benefit from my sports facility from sports specific training so that they can compete with other top athletes across this country, the use of multiple courts for either league games or just pick-up games for our young kids, and other organization using the facility for fundraising events to help their organizations. And (c) the local government benefits from my sports complex by the way of property taxes and utility services. So, as you can see, this is not just about me, it’s about me helping others in this community especially our youth and young adults. Something I have been doing consistently year after year using my own personal resources since I arrived here over 22-years ago.
Since you mention character assassination, if you read my Federal Civil lawsuit, one of my claims is about the character assassination on me by the City of Shelby’s City Manager.
I hope my detail explanation addresses your concerns about who actually benefits from my sports facility and who has truly been the victim of character assassination by his own local government officials.
Willie A. Green
Jasmine Bell Responds:
May 7, 2019
I applaud anyone who stands up for justice issues, however the individual you speak of is currently on a personal vendetta mission regarding several different issues. I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing years up to the present day of his unsolicited emails to several individuals that have included threats, demands, and ultimatums that had absolutely nothing to do with justice. These emails were sent to several individuals by a bully sitting behind a computer monitor which is the person you speak of. Perhaps if any individual in Cleveland County or any county has an issue, he may not be the best advocate. I’ll allow you to keep your positive opinion of his mission rather than expose these bullying tactics to Mr. Williams for publication.
(Moderator’s Comment: Jasmine, I assume the person you are talking about is Rev. Dante Murphy. If not please advise. We welcome your comments as well as Rev Murphy’s. We extend the courtesy to both you and Rev. Murphy of explaining yourselves in more detail in this Dialogue Experiment. Our goal is to find the truth in the matters at discussion. No more, no less. And you seem to have knowledge that we all want to hear about. Thanks, Robert A. Williams)
Rev. Dante Murphy Comment
May 6, 2019 at 8:24 pm
Dr. Edgerton, thanks for your kind words. As a widely known author and university professor I would think that you have benefited from white privilege. It is my hope and prayers that one day you and others like you will be moved to write about the exploitation of a few blacks in order to maintain that “cheap peace.” This is in no way intended to minimize the work that you have already done to promote social dignity for all human beings, but rather, to encourage those who benefit from white privilege to use that privilege to prevent what is happening to Willie Green. Corruption at the local level of government is real.
Clyde Edgerton Responds:
Reverend Murphy understands that there are people of all colors who work together to fight the systemic causes of racism—to fight racial injustice. Many are willing to talk the walk but not willing to walk the walk. Reverend Murphy walks the walk, daily. Many are willing to talk racial reconciliation but not live daily for racial justice. Reverend Murphy understands that there can be no racial reconciliation without racial justice. His steadfast determinism, his principled stands against a sometimes cheap and fake peace between the races should be applauded by all people who hold high the precious memory of Martin Luther King and all the other leaders and followers in the civil rights movement. Reverend Murphy does not sit one day and stand the next. You cannot sit when you are walking the walk. Additionally, the spirit of justice should reside in in every county of every state in this country. You didn’t have to live in Selma to speak for justice in Selma. You don’t have to live in Shelby to speak for justice in Shelby.
Rev. Dante Murphy’s Responds to Jasmine Bell-May 6, 2019
Jasmine Bell is to be commended for the response to my statements as that is what free speech in America is all about. A few observations: 1) With the amount of social media at our disposal there are so many missed opportunities for persons to speak out for and against issues that are important in our society. 2) J. B. brings to light an historic dilemma among the African American community and the plight for justice and equality; that is, the late Dr. King expressed in his famous writing “Letter from Birmingham Jail” that pastors throughout the nation were divided on how to proceed in the fight for justice and equality. Some believed that King should “leave well enough alone” and not make things hard for those African Americans that had excelled into prominent positions. The once unified Baptist Denomination split over this issue as a result of the tensions among African American leaders. 3) I am tempted to respond to “frivolous lawsuits” but do not quite understand the term as it is used in the statements by J. B. Filing frivolous lawsuits poses penalties against both lawyers and petitioners who engage in such acts. Neither I or my attorneys have ever been reprimanded for such acts. It is also worth noting that frivolous and unmeritorious lawsuits are dismissed by the courts. I have both filed and encouraged others to file lawsuits when they have been wronged. In most situations persons either lack the resources (money) or they are flat out scared. “The jury box or the ballot box” is my motto for real change.
Lastly, whatever work I choose to engage in as a civil rights activist will never compare to what Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. accomplished and the ultimate sacrifice he made. It is only my intent to continue what I believe to be a good fight and encourage others who are not afraid and have the guts to do so one way or the other. Thanks J. B. for your bravery.
Jasmine Bells Speaks Out–comment on May 6, regarding Rev. Dante Murphy’s statements:
As an African American and member of the local faith community it’s sad that a pastor would place two groups of people in a box and say that they should be disgraced for not standing behind Mr. Green. There is a local athletic group in Cleveland County, Kings Mountain specifically that has had the support of the community to build a facility and have made great strides over the years to have fund raisers and community donations to purchase land and move forward. This project will actually benefit the community and no one individual will reap the benefits.
If anyone should be disgraced it’s the writer of this article for attempting to assassinate the characters of Mr. Anthony, Mr. Webber, and Mr. Holbrook in this dramatic written piece. The writer of this article doesn’t even reside in the county yet continuously has negative commentary and ongoing filings of frivolous lawsuits in Cleveland and New Hanover counties. Perhaps the writer should look at his own actions as they don’t currently stand nor in the past-have they stood for what Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights icons spoke about.
Rev. Dante Murphy’s Original Statements:
Mayor Stan Anthony and Rev. Charles Webber recently met with the Cleveland County NAACP. This reminds me of the appearances Mr. Eddie H. (Holbrook) used to make around election time to smooth the black community over to gain support. Blacks and minorities should be outraged when pastors and community leaders allow such exploitation. It is bad enough to remain silent, but a pure embarrassment to be used in such a vicious way.
NAACP members should have demanded an explanation of the pending lawsuit involving discrimination and defamation charges against city (actually against Mr. Willie Green). For a former NFL professional football player to go through a lawsuit without the support of the faith community and civil rights organizations is a pure disgrace to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and other civil rights icons.
Any interested person is welcome to provide their input into this dialogue. Thanks for your interest and especially for your participation.