County Judge addresses race and equality

The issue of race and equality in America is a touchy subject for all, but the conversation must be a focal point to heal the racial tensions and division within our country.

Stephens County Judge Michael Roach discusses the issue and provided his assertion on the matter.

“I know as a society and as a county, we have a lot of ground to cover,” Judge Roach said. “The day we allow ourselves to turn on each other and the moment I say ‘well that not my problem’, it is over for us as a county. This is our problem, my problem and yours, and when it becomes my problem, I feel we must do something about it. We can’t live in a blind world and say ‘this doesn’t affect me’. I can make sure that no minority is treated any different by this commissioners court, offices in this county or the sheriff’s office than any other person.”

The comments follow the past few weeks of mass protesting that ensued after the killing of an unarmed African American male sparking a refreshed debate on an age-old topic.

“I was so broken-hearted after watching the video,” Roach said. “I wanted to vomit, I felt nauseated and you would think in the year 2020, we wouldn’t be talking about this subject and would have progressed past it. I didn’t grow up hating people of a different color because I wasn’t taught that. I can’t be okay in America with African American’s, Hispanics, or any other ethnicity’s journey for the same opportunity that I have, to be harder. It must be an equal chance for all.”

County Judge Roach examines the possibility that a partial solution to this issue involves listening to others about the issue.

“This is a heart problem for American,” Roach said. “We must build a bridge of communication with a whole lot of listening involved.”

The 2010 U.S. Census statistics show the Stephens County community as a whole has 71% Caucasian, 23.9% Hispanic, and a 2.8% African American population.

Although there are two African Americans who serve as City Commissioners, Judge Roach did point out that the Hispanic community is underrepresented within the county.

“There are two African Americans who sit on the city commission and the African American population in Stephens County is very small,” Roach said. “A greater percentage of the population is Hispanic and to my knowledge, not any Hispanic or Latino citizens sit on the County or City Commission, School Board or Hospital District, so if there is anyone who is underrepresented here, it is the Hispanic community. I don’t know why that is but if someone were to run for any elected office, I would hope the color of their skin would not be a determining factor of if they win or not.”

Judge Roach is tasked with moving Stephens County into the future and with the 2020 U.S. Census statistics available soon, the representation within the community should be equal.

“We must have these difficult conversations, where an African American man can say they are furious about this situation,” Roach said. “We have to appreciate the facts that are being bought to the table and say how can we help stop and heal the injustice towards others. We must be willing to stand and fight the system that is oppressing others and stand against injustice when we see it and not be silent.”