Mark Robinson’s inflammatory comments could threaten North Carolina’s black economy

Controversial Republican candidate for North Carolina governor Mark Robinson, who continues to make headlines for his comments on race, women and the LGBTQ+ community, could potentially cost the state’s economic growth, particularly for Black residents.

After Democrats in Connecticut indicated they were considering pulling businesses away from North Carolina because Robinson’s victory in the first made him the GOP candidate for governor, there was some concern in regards to the impact of his rhetoric on the state’s economy, and more specifically, the state’s black economy. .

The “inflammatory and divisive comments” by Robinson, the state’s current lieutenant governor, could be “disturbing” to North Carolina businesses, Connecticut’s Democratic state senators argued in a speech letter to your state’s Department of Economic and Community Development. As a result, lawmakers said they consider there may be a “unique opportunity” to draw firms to Connecticut.

“When white companies and white economic interests catch a cold, black people will get pneumonia,” he explained. “We cannot afford divisive rhetoric like that of Mark Robinson… and the actions he has taken as lieutenant governor to threaten the economic opportunities of Black North Carolinians.”

Although the racial wealth gap between black and white North Carolinians stays large, the unemployment rate amongst black residents has declined steadily over time. Love said Black entrepreneurship is on the rise in North Carolina, which is critical in a state that has ranked first within the nation for doing business for 2 years in a row CNBC.

“We are grateful to some members of Gov. Roy Cooper’s leadership and his administration for working with the NAACP to boost Black entrepreneurship,” said Love, who also noted that more Black North Carolinians are pursuing college degrees.

For businesses to show away from North Carolina resulting from the rhetoric or policies of a possible recent governor would devastate the state and undo the progress already made. This would not be the primary time the state faced controversies that later affected its economy.

Under the last GOP governor, Pat McCrory, Republicans passed an anti-transgender bathroom bill that Forbes estimates led to boycotts by businesses and contractors and price the state greater than $600 million.

“The NAACP is a reminder of the economic consequences we faced with the passage of HB2,” Love said. “It’s not just about large corporations; it is designed for small businesses and is ultimately intended to provide jobs for Black people.”

He continued: “We cannot afford to repeat history by electing leaders whose rhetoric alienates communities and threatens the economic opportunities of Black North Carolinians.”

Many small businesses in North Carolina are thriving, including Black-owned businesses like The Flavor Hills restaurant and bar, which has two locations in Raleigh, the state capital, and Jacksonville.

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“It’s also affordable, which allows the general public to participate in the program,” Truss said.

Entrepreneurs said any company leaving the state would harm North Carolina’s entire economy, including smaller businesses like theirs.

“Businesses leaving the state are not going to be good for anyone, especially if they are recovering from the pandemic and trying to rebuild the economy,” Truss said. “We’re using this as an opportunity to show that Raleigh is the place to be and North Carolina is on the rise.”

On Tuesday, Biden joined Vice President Kamala Harris at a campaign stop in North Carolina to spotlight his administration’s work over the past three years, particularly in making health care more cost-effective within the state.

Truss and Johnson said they welcomed the president and vice chairman’s visit and said it “sheds light” on the town of Raleigh and the broader state. Admittedly, Truss said, “If there was a way to source them in Flavor Hills, (we) would love to have it.”

Love, of the North Carolina NAACP State Conference, welcomed actions taken by the Biden-Harris administration, corresponding to strengthening the tax credit for working-class Americans, and said Biden’s American Rescue Plan funds and grants are flowing to “communities” across the state. , including rural, suburban and concrete areas.

Referring to Robinson, Love said, “North Carolina’s leaders must focus on implementing policies that support economic growth and equality, rather than engaging in divisive rhetoric that undermines the prosperity of our state.”

The NAACP, he said, is targeted on educating black voters in North Carolina in regards to the candidates, as questionnaire shows that a big percentage of voters within the state do not know who Robinson or Stein is. More importantly, the organization is encouraging black voters to go to the polls on November 5.

“We call on both campaigns to make economic policy statements specifically about how they will impact and support Black North Carolinians,” he said.