Victoria Watlington: Public service must include open, critical discourse—not censorship

In a response to businessman Johnny Harris, a council member says honest dialogue is at the heart of civic progress

The following is a column submitted to The Charlotte Ledger by Charlotte City Council member Victoria Watlington. She was responding to a Ledger column last week by prominent Charlotte businessman Johnny Harris, who criticized council members for being “increasingly driven by performative activism.”

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Opinion: If we want a just and thriving Charlotte, we must embrace uncomfortable conversations

by Victoria Watlington

In a recent column in The Charlotte Ledger, businessman Johnny Harris argues that national politics risk derailing Charlotte’s forward momentum. Yet, the essential role of public servants is not to suppress debate for the sake of expediency — but to engage deeply, educate responsibly and steer the public through complex and sometimes uncomfortable discussions.

To not explore controversial options — especially when they impact civil rights, public health, or social equity—is not merely negligent; it is antithetical to the democratic contract. Policymakers are elected precisely to ask hard questions, investigate consequences and bring transparency to decisions that shape our city’s future.

Why suppressing discourse is not just wrong—it’s dangerous:

1. Infantilizing the electorate empowers oppression.

   When civic dialogue is shut down “for their own good,” it implies citizens cannot handle nuance. Historically, groupthink and deprivation of public awareness are precursors to inequality and authoritarian control.

2. Charlotte’s own civil‑rights strides remind us: discourse matters.

   • In the early 2010s, Charlotte implemented body‑camera policies for CMPD only after sustained public pressure and civic input. That collaborative effort strengthened both community trust and police accountability.

   • More recently, our city’s Corridors of Opportunity task force—touted for its inclusive hearings and open dialogue—has moved Charlotte toward tangible justice measures, like expanded affordable housing and targeted business grants in historically marginalized neighborhoods. This wouldn’t have been possible without robust public debate.

3. Investigation, not inertia, yields progress.
   When Charlotte leaders considered redistricting to better reflect our diverse communities, critics warned the city about opening Pandora’s box. But rather than shrink back, the city council reviewed data, held town halls, and ultimately adopted maps that improved representation across racial and economic lines.

To those with resources and influence—your voice shapes the narrative.
Our city’s most meaningful strides have come when civic leaders—across the aisle—championed tough, sometimes unpopular policies. Shutting down these conversations might preserve short‑term consensus, but it chokes off the very innovation and justice our community relies on.

In fact, the very attractiveness of Charlotte—as a dynamic, forward-looking city—hinges on being a place where people are unafraid to engage in public discourse.

That civic energy isn’t just good for democracy; it’s good for business. Communities that foster open dialogue attract top talent, encourage public-private partnerships, and create the kind of inclusive economic environment that drives long-term growth. Silence may be comfortable, but engagement builds capital—social and financial.

Discourse is not ignorance, nor is it reckless. It’s a duty.

So, let’s honor the role of public servants as educators and facilitators—not gatekeepers. Our electorate deserves real dialogue, especially when decisions are consequential. Rather than retreat from controversy, let us model courage, curiosity and respect.

Mr. Harris, if you’re open to continuing this over coffee—perhaps at a local cafe—I’d welcome the chance to talk more about how principled discourse can drive Charlotte forward.

Victoria Watlington is an at-large member of the Charlotte City Council. She is a licensed professional engineer who was first elected to the council in 2019.

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