Mobile Co. Wants NAACP Apology

Naacp Civil War Mobile County Commissoners wants Alabama's NAACP President to aplogize for Azalea Trail Maid comments.

by Tiffany Craig

Published: Fri, January 09, 2009 - 1:52 pm CST Last Updated: Fri, January 09, 2009 - 1:59 pm CST

Here's the letter that Mobile County Commissioner Steve Nodine is sending to Alabama's NAACP President Edward Vaughn. He's asking the president to apologize.

January 9, 2009

Mr. Edward Vaughn

President
NAACP Alabama State Conference
P.O. Box 9581
Dothan, AL 36304

Dear Mr. Vaughn

I am extremely disappointed in your criticism of Mobile’s Azalea Trail Maids and your call for this group to be removed from participation in the presidential inauguration.

Despite your claims, the Trail Maids do not represent the Confederacy or antebellum times but reflect the beauty of Mobile and its 300-plus years of fascinating history.

22% of the current Trail Maids are minority. How sad it would be if these girls especially were denied the opportunity to witness history as Barack Obama is inaugurated as our 44th president.

Mobile is one of the country’s fastest growing areas in terms of economic development. This would not be possible if the community were divided. Mobile is a place that strives to be inclusive and represent the needs of all citizens.

The Trail Maids have been ambassadors for Mobile County for almost 60 years. Competition to become a Trail Maid is extremely selective with only the brightest, most accomplished girls being chosen.

Over the years, the Trail Maids have helped welcome presidents, foreign dignitaries, celebrities, and other VIPs to Mobile. They have represented Mobile County across the nation at celebrated events like the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York and at Presidential Inaugurations in 1985, and 2005.

Your comments about these exceptional young ladies were very hurtful and insensitive. I believe you owe them, and all citizens of Mobile County, an apology.

Respectfully:

Stephen D. Nodine

Mobile County Commissioner

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FastFred Says:

Fri, Feb 13, 2009 at 7:35 pm

This is a shame that The Trail Maids were even a issue.They represented Mobile and the South in great fashion.The NAACP should be screaming about what the scumie rappers brought to the Inauguration,“JAYZEE"Disgraceful Language and racial overtones in their performance.Its people like this that keeps a racial divide between the races.

bobcat Says:

Fri, Feb 13, 2009 at 9:13 am

Be careful now, you may be accused of being a racist for standing up against the NAACP extremist.

FastFred Says:

Fri, Feb 13, 2009 at 9:00 am

“KUDOS” To Mr. Steve Codeine,its about time some one tries to hold the N.A.A.C.P.responsible for some of it’s absurd and ridiculous statements.

KxVicious Says:

Sun, Jan 11, 2009 at 3:29 am

Considering the Trail Maids didn’t even exist until 1949, EIGHTY FOUR full years after slavery ended, I really think this guy that thinks they represent slavery must be STUPID.

candyrose Says:

Sun, Jan 11, 2009 at 12:55 am

Way to go Comm. Nodine I think that vaughn owes the Trail Maids and Mobile an apology but I also think he owes the State of Alabama an apology also. I don’t live in Mobile County but I do live in Baldwin County and there are 1,000’s of people that live in this county and other counties in Alabama that deserve an apology also. The whole state considers the Trail Maids an excellent group of Ladies to represent ALABAMA…WTG AHILL 67 I agree with you.

crazy8 Says:

Sat, Jan 10, 2009 at 7:01 am

There is no such thing as reverse discrimination,discrimination is just that,discrimination! Perhaps the naa"C"p should sue themselves,since they consider the term “colored” to be racist and a pre civil rights,slur.

The only reason racism keeps appearing, is because,people like Mr. Vaughn,(is this really a real paying job)?(President
NAACP Alabama State Conference
P.O. Box 9581
Dothan, AL 36304) Rev? Jesse Jackson, Rev? Sharpton
need to validate their position,and their pay for doing nothing.

BamaBob Says:

Fri, Jan 09, 2009 at 6:16 pm

Anyone else think that Nodine will challenge Jones in August?

The protest by Vaughn is kind of silly and makes him look like a fool with an agenda.

Krickkett Says:

Fri, Jan 09, 2009 at 4:43 pm

LOL DEW…ya…. and to believe this is still going on after all these years.

I mean isn’t it “Time for change”

I think Mr. Ed needs to take our presidents advice.

DEW26M Says:

Fri, Jan 09, 2009 at 4:36 pm

That Edward Vaughn is so racists I’m surprised he hasn’t tried to sue Nabisco for not selling black Saltines!

Krickkett Says:

Fri, Jan 09, 2009 at 4:03 pm

Okay I’m probably about to “heat up ” this discussion a little more and I really don’t mean too, but here are my thoughts.

When I look at ANY man, WHITE, BLACK, HISPANIC (whatever) wearing their pants hanging off of their behinds revealing their underwear, wearing gold chains the size of a docking rope on a cruise ship, rings the size of a golf ball, flashing teeth of gold, diamonds or platinum….I think of thug gansters who might carjack me!

Who can I write to whine about that?

To me what they represent is gang banging and I don’t think they should be allowed to walk in any parades.

Who can I write to get these fine young artist kicked off the Music Awards, Grammy’s etc. they don’t belong because they REMIND me of something painful….isn’t this Azalea Trail issue the same type of racism except in reverse?