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Roberts: Protests Highlight 'Two Charlottes'

Mayor Jennifer Roberts
twitter.com/CLTMayor

Wednesday marks the one-year anniversary of the CMPD shooting death of Keith Scott.

In the last year, the protests the shooting inspired have been the impetus for a lot discussion, and reflection. Whether they’ve inspired change depends on your point of view.

[One Year Later: The Anniverary of the Keith Lamont Shooting and Protests]

That week changed a lot of lives: Protesters, politicians, concerned citizens. WFAE has been speaking to many of them this week. Charlotte Talks host Mike Collins spoke to Mayor Jennifer Roberts.

"It was a moment that highlighted some things we knew about Charlotte in terms of the two Charlottes, in terms of there are people who feel left behind, who feel left out of prosperity, who feel their corners of the city are forgotten," Roberts said.

Some other highlights of their conversation:

On protesters and institutional racism

"There is inherent racism in our systems. Not in our people, per say, (but) in the way we have built our economy, built our community - even the Red Line that happened, the way that we moved businesses out of Brooklyn Village - so much of that continues to play out in the hopes and dreams of people here. And these folks in the community want Charlotte leaders to know that."

On criticism of her leadership during the protests

"We're in a very political environment, and people take political pot shots whenever they can because they are trying to raise their side."

On whether her handling of protests led to her election defeat

"Let the pundits say that. I feel very proud of the accomplishments I've had in the last two years. There are a number of things that we have improved, moved forward on, and a lot of people feel more included in the conversations, and that's real important in a democracy."  

WFAE's Charlotte Talks is hosted by veteran Charlotte broadcaster Mike Collins, who has been a fixture in local radio and television since 1985. His knowledge of North and South Carolina combined with his 30 years experience in broadcasting has helped to make Charlotte Talks one of this area's favorite programs.