Letter to the editor: City's senior advisory, director positions should be proportionate to Black, white population

The City of Sumter has a Black population of approximately 48% and a white population of approximately 42%, according to the 2021 U.S. Census Report. However, ironically, only 15% of Blacks as opposed to 85% of whites occupy the City of Sumter's senior advisory and directorship positions.

The racial disparity in the City of Sumter's government is a serious problem that has existed for a long, long time and continues even until this present day.

The links below are a classic demonstration of the above allegations.

https://www.sumtersc.gov/administration/citymanager

https://www.sumtersc.gov/administration/seniorstaff

It is important to note that the City of Sumter is a Community Development Block Grant Entitlement City, which by having this designation, makes it bound to obey the laws of the land which stipulate that there must not be any discrimination or prejudice based on race, creed, sexuality or language factors.

Before the City of Sumter receives any state or federal funding whatsoever, it must get its house in order and begin immediately and with all deliberate speed the appointment of a proportionate number of Black citizens to its roster of senior advisory and directorship positions which is in accordance to, and directly proportional to the Black citizenry population in the City of Sumter as documented by the US Census Report.

BRENDA C. WILLIAMS, M.D.

The Family Unit Inc., a 501(c)(3), nonprofit, charitable organization

Sumter