Nathan McCall grew up in Portsmouth, wrote for The Virginian-Pilot and The Washington Post, and is now a professor at Emory University in Atlanta. He is the author of the book “Makes Me Wanna to Holler: A Young Black Man in America.” McCall penned a piece for The Pilot’s Opinion section today on the controversy surrounding Mayor Holley, and argues that he should be allowed to serve out the remaining 18 months of his term. I tend to agree.

Here’s McCall’s point of view:

HISTORY AND RACE AND JAMES HOLLEY

LeBron James announces his decision on ESPN

I wasn’t alone.

Millions tuned in on ESPN at 9 p.m. to see where King James would take his basketball talents. We all know, now, that he chose the Miami Heat. One could spend hours analyzing and debating the merits of that choice. Personally, I don’t have a problem with it, being that I am still a fan of South Florida despite having lived there. But I won’t take up space here discussing the basketball aspects of this. I want to talk about the cultural aspects of it. This had the feel of a watershed event; of a changing of the rules of the game — not just the game of basketball, but life and business. It felt like a power shift. Was it just me, or did it seem particularly striking to you that a sports figure could garner so much attention with what he had to say? And not only that, but he could inspire such a range of reactions and debate from it.

In Northeastern Ohio, LeBron is now pretty much hated. In South Florida he is beloved. And elsewhere, the legions fall on both sides, lighting up the airwaves and the blogosphere.

Dan Gilbert, majority owner, Cleveland Cavaliers

It has been fed by the vitriolic reaction of Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert who posted a scathing rebuke of LeBron after the announcement. It was laced with anger and charges of cowardice and abandonment. I wasn’t sure how to feel. Was Gilbert right? Or did he go too far? And, what inspired such a passionate reaction?

I asked my friend Hassan, an educated and well-read observer of culture who tends to take a more radical view on life. We debate quite a bit, each learning from the other. Hassan’s point of view on this one was not completely unexpected, but certainly took this beyond whether the Heat are now favorites to win the NBA championship. He used it to examine the role of race, money and power in our society. Hassan heralded it as an example of a black man being criticized for seizing control of an exploitive system and turning the tide in his favor. Wow, Hassan! That would certainly inspire some reaction from people. So, I decided to share what Hassan had to say.

Here goes:

Once again, Hassan made me look at things from a different perspective. What do you think? Any merit to Hassan’s point of view?

That headline got your attention, didn’t it?

I wish I knew for sure where LeBron is going to play next year. If I did, I’d be famous for breaking the story. But my instincts tell me something about his decision to make the announcement on ESPN during an hour-long broadcast and donate sponsorship proceeds to the Boys & Girls Club: It is a public relations maneuver designed to lessen the fallout from him leaving his hometown team, the Cleveland Cavaliers. That’s just my opinion, but I believe it has some merit.

Here’s why.

The Cavaliers have benefited greatly from LeBron’s presence, going from a ho-hum franchise to a consistent sellout at home and on the road. They even made the NBA Finals in 2007. A story the other day pointed out that LeBron has annual economic impact on Cleveland far above $100 million from tourism, team paraphernalia sales and food and beverage revenues. Without King James, Cleveland is just another Rust Belt city trying to remake itself. Some will understand his desire to leave, realizing that his chances of winning an NBA championship in Cleveland are slim. Better opportunities exist elsewhere, like in Chicago and maybe New York. But many will be upset for abandoning Cleveland.

So, to keep LeBron from looking like a heel who is running out on a team and city that have stumbled over themselves to keep him happy, you hold this televised event. I’ll bet LeBron will hold off until the end of the show to make his announcement. He will likely talk about what fun it has been to play in his hometown and what Cleveland and Akron mean to him. He’ll have some of his buddies and family on the show. He might even get emotional. And, then, at the close of the program, he will announce that he has decided to take his game elsewhere.

Meanwhile, millions of people will be watching. Advertisers know this. They will spend gobs of money to run spots during the program. And though Cleveland will lose its cash cow, the Boys & Girls Club gets some needed attention and money by way of the sponsorship dollars.

LeBron comes away looking like a hero.

I think it’s an ingenious idea. I’d certainly advise it if I had his ear.

Again, I could be wrong about all of this. But you have to admit, the idea has merit.

You would think after losing millions in endorsements and salary from the NFL, the Mike Vick would cherish this second chance he’s been given to play professional football.

You would think after his friends got him into so much trouble and lost him so much money that Mike Vick would find some new buddies.

You would think Mike Vick would want to keep a low profile and try to go about life normally.

If you thought those things you are probably a reasonable and level-headed person. But now that Mike Vick finds himself at least connected by association to a shooting last weekend in Virginia Beach, I have to wonder whether he is reasonable or level headed.

For those who haven’t heard, Quanis Phillips, a former Vick associate who testified against him in the dogfighting trial, was shot early last Friday outside a Virginia Beach restaurant following a birthday party. That party was held for none other than Michael Dwayne Vick. Vick, who turned 30 on June 26, was at the party as were several other high profile athletes from the Hampton Roads area. The problem is, the terms of Vick’s probation prohibit him from interacting with convicted felons like Mr. Phillips.

An investigation continues.

Some people never learn. Mr. Vick, you are one of them.

We can debate the facts about what happened, whether Vick is being unfairly connected to this situation and if some people are just waiting to pounce on the guy every time he burps. But here is what I think: Mike Vick had no business anywhere close to this sort of event, which was promoted to the general public. Time and again, something goes wrong at these parties and people start shooting. It’s happened in every Hampton Roads city. No place has been immune to idiots who get a few drinks and other substances in them and try to settle disputes with firearms. Going out at night is dangerous. It’s even more dangerous after midnight. As someone once said, “Nothing good happens after midnight.” I guess that depends on where you are and whom you are with, but that’s a story for another day.

Mike Vick was still at this party around 2 a.m., shortly before the shooting occurred. I know where he should have been: AT HOME.

In fact, he should have never been at the party to start with. To take it further, there should have been no public party in his name. He should not have allowed it. He can’t afford any negative publicity. And as I said, these parties are magnets for bad behavior.

Mike Vick deserved to celebrate his 30th birthday in grand fashion. He should have been around friends and loved ones. He should have enjoyed good food and maybe a few drinks. He should have danced and partied the night away, if he so chose. But he should have done it in the confines of his own home, away from the riff raff that hang out at night, away from the people who don’t care at all about him.

It seems that Vick is intent on living the lifestyle that he had before he went away to federal prison. He seems to want to soak up the attention and adulation. He wants the limelight. The autograph seekers. The hangers on. Someone needs to tell him to forget living the high profile life. He’s done that and look where it got him: broke and behind bars. Now that he has his freedom, the ability to spend time with his children and family and his finances are looking better, you’d think Mike Vick would guard his livelihood a little more vigilantly. You’d think he’d be careful where he went, who we went with and how late he stayed out. People are watching. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is watching.

You’d think Mike Vick would have sense enough to realize this. But maybe he doesn’t. Maybe he didn’t learn anything at all while in prison.

Many appreciate everything he’s done for the city and want him to complete his term. Others respect and tolerate him, though they think he’s held the position too long. And yet another faction of activist residents have banded together to force a recall election for the proud mayor. If successful, it would be the second time he has been recalled from the office.

I’ve had a close view of Portsmouth over the past decade and a half. Back in the mid 90s, I covered the city for the local newspaper, The Virginian-Pilot. Entering the job, my colleagues told me several things about the city; two of which rang particularly true: The city suffered from an inferiority complex when compared to its brethren in Hampton Roads; and there was no bigger cheerleader for the city than Mayor James W. Holley III.

At the time, Holley had recently returned to the mayor’s office, having been recalled from the position in 1987. Despite being removed from office, Holley had never quite given up the title during his years in exile and was proud to formally resume his position. In my many interviews with His Honor, one thing was readily apparent: He suffered from no lack of confidence in himself and in the city of Portsmouth. That confidence was well earned given Holley’s years of dedication to the city, starting with his efforts to desegregate public places during the Civil Rights era. For this, Holley achieved iconic status, a title he wore proudly. He was a star in a city that didn’t have much to cheer about in the mid 1990s, as the economy had robbed the city of most of its tax base. Holley believed in Portsmouth. He cheered it on when it was down and out. I recall, then, that there was no place in Portsmouth for a woman to go buy a pair of pantyhose, a problem lamented by many women. All the shopping had gone to the Chesapeake Square Mall area, leaving Portsmouth’s MidCity and Tower Mall areas blighted ghost towns. There were few places to have lunch, much less dinner. Crime was rampant. Jobs were scarce outside of the Navy’s shipyard and medical center. And those who worked in Portsmouth rushed to get out of the city at day’s end.

No one, it seemed, wanted to be associated with Portsmouth — a place some folks called “The Armpit of Hampton Roads.”

But Mayor Holley cheered on, unabashed. I equate him to a loyal sports fan, like those who root for the Chicago Cubs, the Cleveland Browns and the Washington Wizards. Despite years of their team’s ineptitude, those steadfast fans keep the faith. And so has Holley when it comes to Portsmouth. And, now, it looks as if Portsmouth is poised to become a winner.

I look at what has happened over the last 15 years and marvel at how far Portsmouth has come. Retail is slowly coming back thanks to development at Victory Crossing (the former Tower Mall area) and around MidCity.  People have moved back downtown, taking up residence in apartments and lofts along High Street. Portsmouth has a night life. It has a pulse. Through this transformation, Holley has continued to cheer for his city, even as age and Father Time has robbed him of some of his energy and awareness. At 83, Holley lacks the mental sharpness he once had and is prone to ramble on incoherently at times. But he still looks good in his clothes and remains the best dressed mayor in the region, bar none. He works the crowds at ribbon cuttings and mingles among the townsfolk. But, we all know, looking the part is only a small part of the job. Portsmouth needs and deserves a mayor who is up to the task, even if it is just a ceremonial position in the city’s council/manager form of government.

Holley’s outsized personality and ego are two of his greatest gifts and perhaps his weaknesses. His unreasonable demands of his secretaries have been well documented. His off the cuff statements in public and at council meetings have drawn ire. There are many who believe it is time for Holley to go and they want him removed, again. A recall election is scheduled for July 13. The mayor refuses to step aside. Having returned once from forced exile, I can understand that. But the time might have come for him to vacate the formal position.

And in my words, there is a recommended solution that I think Holley has earned. Issue a proclamation appointing him Mayor Emeritus and Head Cheerleader, a ceremonial post. Let him attend the ribbon cuttings, the celebrations, the parades. Don’t remove him from the spotlight that he so much enjoys. Faults and all, Mayor Holley has never turned his back on his hometown. Now it is time for his hometown to give him a dignified retirement. I believe he has earned it.

James W. Holley III, mayor of Portsmouth

One thing my absence has done is given me lots to say. But I am not going to say it all here. I will save some for later. Let’s talk about the most immediate things.

First, a shout out to all of the students who graduated from Hampton University today. A special congrats to the graduates of The Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications at HU, where I’ve had the pleasure to be an instructor to some very bright and talented students who have now moved into the next phase of their life. I am certain you will make a tremendous mark on your profession and society in general. Just remember, success is not merely determined by what you salary is. It matters how much you enjoy what you are doing and whether you are making a difference in someone’s life. Helping others by giving of your talents is more rewarding than any salary could ever be, I’ve learned over the years. Keep that in mind as you go forth in search of your next mountain to conquer. And remember, I am always here to help you in any way possible. And if I cannot help you, I will find someone who can.

Speaking of graduation, you have an advantage over most of your peers. You will always remember who your commencement speaker was: President Barack Obama.

I can’t remember who spoke at neither of my commencements; and I don’t think it all has to do with age. I’m jealous of you. But I am glad that I was able to be a part of such a special day.

He is also a good teacher, especially when it comes to how to deal with the issue of race. I think he provides an excellent blueprint for African Americans who seek leadership positions and overall increase in their lives. He has shown that perhaps the best way to overcome the issue of racism is to refuse to become caged by it. It’s as if the President believes that acknowledging racism’s power and prevalence will thereby feed its existence, making it an even more powerful and prevalent monster.

And you know what? I think he’s right.

It is interesting how much energy we have put to Representative Joe Wilson’s outburst during the President’s speech to Congress. It  has been talked about quite a bit on the airwaves and in print. I’ve even addressed it on The Batts Report, my radio show on BlogTalkRadio. (Check us out at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thebattsreport). But in doing so; in giving so much focus to this, we have diverted Wilson’s lack of decorum has been held up as a byproduct of the racism that exists in America and the heartburn some have about a black man being in the White House. This despite the fact that President Obama is actually half white. I guess that is insignificant to some of his venomous detractors who spew vitriol laced with racial overtones.

Yet, President Obama has refused to jump or be pulled into the fray, despite pleas from his supporters that he do so. Some have even accused him of being delusional and weak. I would argue to the contrary. I would say that it actually takes a great deal of awareness and foresight to see that this is a battle that he cannot win, though it is indeed worth fighting. Yet, when I think about it, he has defeated it. He has overcome it. Afterall, it was the white vote that pushed him over the top in the election. He has crossover appeal and is not defined by the amount of melanin in his skin. And he knows that there are other pressing issues to deal with such as the economy, our broken health care system and public education.

Why is it that black folks, to a very large degree, don’t put the same amount of energy into things they can change like these issues? Why is it that the issue of racism continues to get so much attention? Think for a minute…Have you ever cared deeply for someone, but knew those feelings were not reciprocal? Ever been dumped in a relationship? All of us have or will at some point, unfortunately. And we know that despite all the talking we might do, nothing can change  what the other person has in their heart.

We will never be able to change the hearts of those who dislike black people, even if they are only 50 percent black. So why waste the time? Put that energy elsewhere. Refuse to be overcome by race. Detour around it on the road to success. That’s what President Obama did. And I think we can learn a lot from the route he has taken.

One of the things that I always respected about the military was its insistence on decorum and respect. On more than one occasion, I have encountered a military man or woman who when addressing me, respectfully called me “sir.” It always sort of  jolts me at first, especially when the individual is obviously as old as or even older than I. That, however, does not matter to them, it seems. They give me respect as an individual regardless of my age, my economic standing, my ethnicity, my politics.

Which brings me to Joe Wilson, the Republican Congressman from South Carolina. He was an obscure senator from a right leaning state until earlier this week.

You’ve probably heard of him by now, even if you didn’t hear his disrepectful outburst during President Obama’s address to Congress and the nation on Wednesday. He heckled the President, calling him a liar when he asserted that his health care proposal will not provide relief to illegal immigrants. Mr. Wilson (Note to readers: See how I can give someone respect, even if I think they are an idiot? That’s because I have home training.) has been a staunch opponent of anything that would provide assistance to illegal immigrants, including critical hospital care in an emergency, according to an article in the Los Angeles Times:

Wilson has been not only a strident opponent of healthcare reform but — and for much longer — an unyielding hard-liner on immigration-related issues. This week, he told radio talk-show host and Republican activist Hugh Hewitt that even though there’s no support in the House for it, he’d like to see illegal immigrants denied emergency room care.

Now, Mr. Wilson has become the poster boy for the radical Republican movement, led by talk show hosts Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity. This is the same group of people who wants the President to “fail.” This despite our country facing the most crippling economic crisis since The Great Depression. Ideologues are like that, though; even when their ideals are patently stupid, outrageous, outdated and just downright hateful and mean. This cannot be what the Republican Party wants for itself.

Alternative and divergent opinions are more than welcome in our country. It is part of our culture. It is in our fabric. It is why we have free speech. But Mr. Wilson ought to take a lesson from the military men and women in how he uses that right. President Obaama is due respect, if not as a human being, certainly for the office which he occupies. In the military, people are taught to salute the office, if not the person. Perhaps Mr. Wilson needs some basic training.

One of the things that I always respected about the military was its insistence on decorum and respect. On more than one occasion, I have encountered a military man or woman who when addressing me, respectfully called me “sir.” It always sort of  jolts me at first, especially when the individual is obviously as old as or even older than I. That, however, does not matter to them, it seems. They give me respect as an individual regardless of my age, my economic standing, my ethnicity, my politics.

Which brings me to Joe Wilson, the Republican Congressman from South Carolina. He was an obscure senator from a right leaning state until earlier this week.

You’ve probably heard of him by now, even if you didn’t hear his disrepectful outburst during President Obama’s address to Congress and the nation on Wednesday. He heckled the President, calling him a liar when he asserted that his health care proposal will not provide relief to illegal immigrants. Mr. Wilson (Note to readers: See how I can give someone respect, even if I think they are an idiot? That’s because I have home training.) has been a staunch opponent of anything that would provide assistance to illegal immigrants, including critical hospital care in an emergency, according to an article in the Los Angeles Times:

Wilson has been not only a strident opponent of healthcare reform but — and for much longer — an unyielding hard-liner on immigration-related issues. This week, he told radio talk-show host and Republican activist Hugh Hewitt that even though there’s no support in the House for it, he’d like to see illegal immigrants denied emergency room care.

Now, Mr. Wilson has become the poster boy for the radical Republican movement, led by talk show hosts Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity. This is the same group of people who wants the President to “fail.” This despite our country facing the most crippling economic crisis since The Great Depression. Ideologues are like that, though; even when their ideals are patently stupid, outrageous, outdated and just downright hateful and mean. This cannot be what the Republican Party wants for itself.

Alternative and divergent opinions are more than welcome in our country. It is part of our culture. It is in our fabric. It is why we have free speech. But Mr. Wilson ought to take a lesson from the military men and women in how he uses that right. President Obaama is due respect, if not as a human being, certainly for the office which he occupies. In the military, people are taught to salute the office, if not the person. Perhaps Mr. Wilson needs some basic training.

Indeed, President Obama could have chosen to stay on the sidelines in this matter. That would have been the safe choice. It is what every other president before him likely would have done. In fact, I have to even question whether other presidents would have even been asked their opinion on the matter. I’m sorry Michelle Malkin, I’m not buying the assertion that this was all orchestrated. And by taking on this issue, Glenn Beck, the President should not be labeled a racist. How stupid.

We have the first African American in the White House. And though Mr. Obama should not be judged merely by the color of his skin, we have to recognize that his ethnicity and experiences bring a perspective unseen before by anyone who has held the office. Bill Clinton was given the title of being the first black president, but he is, still, a white man. Mr. Obama could have withheld his feelings, but he was being true to himself and sharing his honest feelings.

As a result, an issue that was controversial, but might have dissipated by now, has dominated our conversations for two weeks. By President Obama offering his take, we have had many discussions about race and the prickly relationship between blacks and the police. I don’t think George W. Bush would have had a summit meeting over beer at the White House with Gates and Officer Crowley. That would have been the safe approach. But we are charting new territory with Mr. Obama. And though it is forcing us to deal right now with an issue that we probably wish would go away, I would argue that we might all be better for it in the end.

And though some might say it isn’t the President’s place to get involved in a local issue, I would differ. Race relations is not a local issue. It’s a festering problem that we need someone to provide us leadership to help overcome or at least address.

By stepping into this, I don’t think that President Obama has overstepped his boundaries. No, I think he has stepped forward and accepted his role as a leader with a different perspective. And for having the courage to do so, I think he should be applauded. But I worry that I am cheering by myself.