Last week, I had an unexpected heart attack.
It was a stark reminder of how invisible problems can quietly escalate, just like the deep-rooted problems plaguing Asheville. Despite appearances, both my heart and Asheville suffer from an undiagnosed condition that requires urgent treatment.
According to Penn Medicine, nearly 80% of heart attacks go undiagnosed and 1 in 5 people have no symptoms. This came as a shock to me as I did not expect my health to deteriorate without any warning signs. At the same time, beneath its vibrant exterior, Asheville hides long-term suffering and disparities that were unthinkable until they surfaced.
In 2018, the Asheville Disparities Report highlighted economic disparities and led to the creation of the Office of Business Inclusion, which aims to support Black, Indigenous and people of color businesses. But despite these efforts, a deeper malaise remains. A city known for its welcoming exterior is grappling with systemic issues that undermine its inclusive intentions.
Day-to-day operations may be going smoothly and suggest good health, but underlying issues indicate that there is a problem at the core. City efforts toward inclusivity often fall short, revealing a disconnect between public efforts and private actions. Microaggressions persist, and promising initiatives against Black, Indigenous, and people of color businesses have been disrupted by overt attacks, such as mean messages left on the door of a new restaurant owned by Black, Indigenous, and people of color. It is overshadowed by acts of speciesism.
Asheville is at a crossroads, facing a heart disease that is quietly eroding its spirit of progress and inclusivity. Conferences and policies alone cannot repair what is fundamentally broken. Recognizing the problem is the first step to true healing.
Asheville’s black exodus has fallen from 20% to 10%, indicating that the community is struggling and is unwilling or unable to stay. This is in stark contrast to Asheville’s historic initiatives that benefited all citizens, such as the Asheville-Black Mountain Highway, which boosted the local economy and connectivity.
Founded in 1890 as a pioneer in Black educational, social and cultural engagement in Western North Carolina, YMI’s tradition exemplifies the potential for recovery and growth. It represents a path forward that harnesses the power of community to overcome the scars of slavery and discrimination.
We must look back at history and the present and decide whether we are headed for destruction or for recovery. Acts of racism, such as those experienced by Black, Indigenous, and people of color, raise questions about our collective responses to hate and the importance of fostering deeper, more meaningful connections across communities. Masu.
Supporting, volunteering, and providing resources to local initiatives led by people of color are practical steps we can take. Tupac’s words remind us of the fatigue associated with centuries of systemic barriers and urge us not only to acknowledge past wrongs, but to seek active participation in healing and progress.
This Black History Month, let us move beyond mere tokenism and vulnerability to real healing and restoration. By confronting the heart of our city and working to cleanse it of the pollutants of racism and disparity, we move closer to a truly inclusive community. It’s about recognizing the ongoing pain, validating it, and understanding that acknowledging the hurt does not hinder progress, but facilitates true progress.
In Asheville, the path to hope and healing requires us to check our hearts, acknowledge our pain, and embrace the work needed to collectively heal. Only then can we aspire to a beloved community where inclusion, respect, and equity are not just ideals but lived realities.
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J. Hackett is the owner of GRIND LLC and founder of Black Wall Street AVL..