It's easy to dismiss the Committee. Many have read of the ongoing battle between Lavonia Allison, chairwoman of the Durham Committee, and the white members of the school board. The Committee's campaigning against the referendum is seen as yet another case of Allison having a chip on her shoulder. Don't be fooled. It goes much deeper than that.
Black ministers are convinced the bond amounts to a clear case of taxation without representation.
For years black citizens have fought to have their voices heard before the school board. No one listened. The parents at Hillside fought to keep Richard Hicks as their principal. No one listened. Those parents were laughed at.