The North Carolina NAACP backed a chapter president who declared it would be 'seriously disturbing' for a white person to take the spot of the outgoing black mayor.
Last week, Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles revealed she would step down from her position only halfway through her term, announcing June 30 as her final day in office and stating it 'has been the honor of my life.'
Her announcement, however, sparked questions about why she was suddenly resigning, with many pointing to backlash over her handling of the stabbing of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska on a tram in the city.
As numerous politicians position themselves to fill the vacancy, local branch president Corine Mack sharply criticized the prospect of Lyles, who is black, being replaced by a white politician.
'It is seriously disturbing for White folks to be lobbying to be the interim Mayor in Charlotte,' Mack wrote. 'Our Mayor who recently resigned is a Black woman who is a registered Democrat.'
'While Black representation is being undermined and stripped nationwide, White folks are either tone deaf or worse... self centered! It's not about YOU!' she added.
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) responded to Mack’s comments by saying it 'stands' with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg branch and its fight for justice, according to WBTV News.
North Carolina NAACP President Deborah Maxwell said: 'NAACP North Carolina stands with the Charlotte‑Mecklenburg Branch and its long‑standing work to advance equity, justice, and accountability for Black communities.'
NAACP Charlotte chapter president Corine Mack declared it would be 'seriously disturbing' for a white person to fill in as mayor
Last week, Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles revealed she would step down from her position only halfway through her term
'The NAACP evaluates leadership by actions, policies, and results, not by personal identity,' she added.
'What matters is whether decisions made by those in power strengthen or harm the lived experiences of Black residents.'
In Mack's statement, she said black voters in Charlotte have been 'intentional' about ensuring representation by a black official, warning that voters would act if that changed.
'What is the consensus after several discussions - if the City Council votes a non-black person in as interim Mayor again... voters will hold you accountable next year,' she wrote. Charlotte's 900,000 strong population is 39 percent white, 33 percent black and 17 percent Latino.
In a similar statement to Queen City News, Mack once again doubled down on her controversial remarks, saying: 'Why would we replace the Black outgoing mayor with a White person? That simple.'
'My question for the white folks who, up in arms and outraged, are they outraged about the fact that Black representation is under attack?' she added.
She later doubled down on her personal Facebook page, arguing the outrage was driven by opposition to 'any Black person who dares to have an independent thought and opinion.'
'On our NAACP Charlotte-Mecklenburg Branch page, White people are losing their minds in defense of Charlotte having the right to have a White Mayor,' Mack said. 'Anyone can run next year! This year the City Council will elect the interim Mayor.'
Many pointed to the backlash over Lyle's handling of the stabbing of Ukrainian national Iryna Zarutska
'It is very interesting to watch some White people in a frenzy about Black people loving and supporting Black people,' she added.
'Meanwhile, they create movements and spaces solely for white people all of the time.'
Mack closed the rant by declaring she was 'praying for this country' while claiming white people continue 'to play the victim.'
'Poor things! White people created race and racism. But, they continue to play the victim and create fake narratives,' she said.
'Everything in this country is predicated on race... White people did that! I won't be silenced! In the meantime, I'm praying for this country.'
Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles was criticized for her response to the murder of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska in the city last August
Serial criminal Decarlos DeJuan Brown Jr, pictured in mugshots taken over the years, has been charged with the murder
North Carolina NAACP President Maxwell also defended the local chapter’s obligation to speak out when Black communities are being denied 'meaningful participation or progress.'
'Black communities deserve leadership that listens, delivers results, and helps close long‑standing gaps in opportunity,' she said, according to the outlet.
Charlotte has been mired in racial tensions since the murder of Iryna Zarutska on a LYNX tram last August.
The Ukrainian refugee was filmed having her throat cut by a man prosecutors say is serial criminal Decarlos Dejuan Brown Jr.
Brown, who was charged with murder, was free on cashless bail at the time of the incident.
Mayor Lyles sparked anger in its aftermath by saying 'unhoused' people like Brown 'are more frequently the victims of crimes and not the perpetrators.'