WS Chronicle

By Derwin L. Montgomery

In his stirring and provocative address, Dean Corey D.B. Walker challenged us to reimagine what Winston-Salem could be. He painted a vision of a city that doesn’t merely wear the tagline “City of Arts and Innovation,” but embodies deeper values of justice, love, and community – a city where these principles are more than ideals but lived realities. His words were not simply an acknowledgment of the challenges we face but a call to action: to reject complacency, confront our past, and radically transform our collective future.

Walker invoked the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., cautioning against reducing King to a sanitized symbol of comfort. Instead, he reminded us of King’s radical message: that true justice demands disruption of the status quo and the courage to live maladjusted to injustice. “The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges,” Walker quoted King, pushing us to consider how we, as a community, can embody this ethic of creative maladjustment.

Recognizing Our History

One of the most impactful aspects of Walker’s speech was his deep dive into Winston-Salem’s history – a dual narrative of progress and profound injustice. From the Moravian Church’s enslavement of African Americans like Johan Samuel, to the 1967 rebellion sparked by police violence, our city’s history is marked by both innovation and inequality. These aren’t just stories from the past; they are the foundation of our present. Walker’s reminder is clear: we cannot build a better future without confronting these truths.

For example, the 1967 rebellion, fueled by systemic racism and economic inequality, echoes in the disparities we see today in East Winston. The persistence of food deserts, underfunded schools, and inequitable economic opportunities serves as a stark reminder that the work of justice remains unfinished. To truly honor our history, we must commit to addressing these systemic inequities.

Becoming the City of the Maladjusted

Walker’s vision for Winston-Salem calls for a radical reorientation of our priorities. It requires us to reject “surface over substance, tradition over truth, and rhetoric over reality.” To answer this call, we must take specific, collective actions:

*Invest in East Winston: The systemic neglect of East Winston cannot continue. Walker’s recounting of the 1967 rebellion highlights the long history of economic and racial disparity in this part of our city. We need a focused plan to grow businesses, affordable housing, and more accessible healthcare to East Winston. This includes leveraging public-private partnerships to ensure that economic growth in our city benefits all residents.

*Reform Public Safety: Walker reminded us of the deep pain caused by police violence in our city’s history, from the killing of James Eller in 1967 to the National Guard occupation of East Winston. As a community, we must advocate for policies that prioritize de-escalation, accountability, and community policing. Public safety should be about protecting all residents, not perpetuating cycles of fear and mistrust.

*Create a Culture of Inclusion: Walker’s speech emphasized the importance of seeing every resident as a vital part of our community. This requires listening to and uplifting marginalized voices, whether through participatory budgeting, community forums, or partnerships with historically Black colleges and universities like Winston-Salem State University.

*Champion Education Equity: Walker highlighted how the “aggressive aristocracy” has shaped inequality in our community. While schools in Winston-Salem may receive similar funding, the needs of students in low-wealth communities are often greater and require more resources. To create true equity, we must ensure schools in these areas have the additional support they need – like counselors, after-school programs, and technology – so every student has an equal chance to succeed, no matter their circumstances.

Building Deep Democracy

Central to Walker’s call is the idea of building what he terms “deep democracy” – a democracy not built on formal equality but rooted in love and expressed through justice. Ralph Ellison’s question from “Invisible Man” – “Could politics ever be an expression of love?” – underscores this challenge. To build deep democracy in Winston-Salem, we must prioritize policies that reflect our love for all residents, particularly the most vulnerable.

Walker’s concept of “creative maladjustment” provides a framework for action. Being maladjusted means refusing to accept food deserts, housing instability, or systemic racism as inevitable. It means choosing to live differently, love deeply, and learn courageously. It means rejecting the comfortable and challenging ourselves to make justice and dignity the fabric of our city.

Staying Awake to the Challenge

In closing, Walker called on us to “stay woke” as we build this new Winston-Salem. This is not just a slogan; it’s a call to remain vigilant, engaged, and committed to justice. It’s a reminder that the work of building a better city requires all of us – government officials, business leaders, educators, and everyday citizens – to play our part.

Walker’s speech was not just a reflection on who we are but a challenge to become who we ought to be. Let us rise to this challenge. Let us confront our history, embrace creative maladjustment, and work together to build a Winston-Salem where justice, love and community are lived realities. Only then can we truly honor the legacy of King and create the “bright and glittering daybreak of freedom and justice” that Walker and King envisioned.  

This article is by Derwin L. Montgomery,  Edited and formatted by ChatGpt.