Response to Art Gallagher at More Monmouth Musings

I just read a post by Art Gallagher, after we spoke on the telephone. I told Art that Courier would not be printing his More Monmouth Musings column anymore, because after consultation with the NAACP (several people there), it was decided by me that Courier could not do this.

More Monmouth Musings is a popular state blog, and certainly very influential. Art is a very talented commentator and writer also. But, the N-word cannot be acceptable and the introduction of it by anyone cannot and should not be identified with the newspaper directly.

On a personal note, I think Art is very intelligent and I do believe he is very concerned about race. But I believe, as I have said before, that he brought up the issue of race in a bad way. I think the race issue is very charged and that much caution has to be used when addressing speech associated with it. I do thank the NAACP for its counsel also, because leaders there have put much work into the prospect of racial tolerance. Their wisdom is deeply appreciated.

As a person, I know Mr. Gallagher to be a very dedicated member of his community, who has fought very hard for business and taxpayers through his public speech. I truly regret that Courier cannot print his column anymore, because it is very good and insightful for the most part. As a business leader Art has done great things, but the newspaper cannot agree with him about this, and I cannot equivocate that. So, in print, there has to be a parting of the ways.

Courier covered the controversy, and will continue to do so. I have stated my position about race, and it is not a secret that I am a former member of the Board of Directors for the Greater Long Branch NAACP, which is an organization I place much stock in. So, I am going to have to disagree with Mr. Gallagher for the moment, but certainly not wish him any ill will.

More Monmouth Musings blogger makes controversial remarks

In this week's edition of The Courier, More Monmouth Musings blogger Art Gallagher explains his controversial remarks on the blog. Click on the headline to go to the story.

Gallagher goes on YouTube about race controversy

More Monmouth Musings blogger Art Gallagher conducted an interview today, addressing his use of the "N-word" on his blog, as part of several posts he has placed on his site. For more information, click on the headline and go to Art's blog.

Race debate advances: Gallagher, Dangler disagree on slur

In the Thursday edition of The Courier, I will have a story about More Monmouth Musings blogger Art Gallagher and his take on opening a dialogue about race, in general.

This comes on the heels of the top Jersey blogger using the ill-fated N-word in his posts about African-Americans. Of course, Art has used other offensive language to characterize other raises. According to Art, it's a way of gaining broader attention to the more important subject of race relations.

Some of his critics, though, include veteran Greater Long Branch NAACP President Lorenzo W. Dangler, who comes out against the use of the word in any way, and goes on to say that this is the worst way to attempt dialogue where it involves race.

Is the discussion about race over? According to both Mr. Gallagher and Mr. Dangler, it may have only just begun, but not in the way anyone might think.

Click on the headline to go to More Monmouth Musings, and pick up a copy of The Courier at the newsstand, tomorrow.