Aberdeen Man Headed for Democratic Convention
Maurice Holland at his home
- Print print this page
- Discuss 46 comments, Blog about
Advertisement
Surrounded by family photos spanning decades, Maurice Holland sits in a small room of his home in the Midway community of Aberdeen and smiles as he reminisces about the past and looks to the future.
The community activist who first became aware of and involved in politics nearly 50 years ago thanks to the racial controversy that happened at the 1964 Democratic National Convention in Atlantic City, N.J., is now preparing to be on the inside looking out. He will represent North Carolina as a delegate to the 2012 Democratic National Convention (DNC) at Time Warner Arena in Charlotte on Sept. 3-7.
“This is beyond my wildest dreams,” Holland said. “To think what has happened in my lifetime. I got involved in 1964 when Alabama sent two delegations (to the DNC). Now I’m going to a convention where we are going to nominate a black man for his second term as president.”
Holland hopes his accomplishment will be an example to future generations.
“For me to go (to the DNC) from Midway, what does it say for the next generation for participating in politics, expressing their views and getting involved at any level? Everybody who comes behind me can participate and make a difference.”
Holland decided to apply to be a delegate after finding an application form online. He filled out the form and sent it off. Weeks later he was elected as a delegate at a district convention held on May 19.
“It was divine providence,” he said of his election. “It took six ballots before I finally got the 50 percent plus one vote.”
He said he didn’t bring signs, fliers or other literature touting his candidacy. He opted instead for passing out simple business cards and devoting time for face-to-face discussions.
He was one of 93 delegates selected there. Overall, the state will have 158 delegates and 12 alternates at the convention.
It’s been nearly a month since his selection and Holland said he’s still coming to grips with the opportunity that has been presented him.
“I am still putting it all in perspective,” he said. “It puts you on another level.”
Over the years, a handful of Moore County residents have attended national political conventions. Most recently, Moore County’s Tessie Taylor attended the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver.
During his life, Holland has worked as a cook, a waiter and a mobile home salesman, and owned several businesses. He is semiretired now, working in the home health care business, but he remains active in his community. He currently serves as a board member of the Southern Coalition for Social Justice.
He has served as president of the Midway Association, been a member of the Aberdeen Planning Board and is an active member of the county Democratic Party.
In recent years, he has been instrumental in helping the Midway commun-ity become part of Aberdeen through voluntary annexation.
Holland said he has nothing special planned for when he attends the convention other than to represent Moore County in an “upstanding, proper and honorable way” and “do something that is constructive.”
“The only thing I can do when I go is be where I am supposed to be, and convey the concerns of the people here, and bring back a lot of contacts that will be able to help us in the future,” he said.
Contact Tom Embrey at (910) 693-2484 or tembrey@thepilot.com.
More like this story
Advertisement
Comments
pacer 11 months, 1 week ago
Mr. Holland, congratulations on your opportunity. I can feel your excitement in just reading the words you spoke. Though we are very different in age, sex, etc etc we are identical in beliefs and I am so thrilled that you are representitive of my dreams as well. Peace to you, sir, and ENJOY!
Mythreekids 11 months, 1 week ago
Contratulations Maurice. I am so excited for you. I will be a volunteer this time around and am so looking forward to that new experience. It is because of dedicated people like yourself that growth and progress can be made. We will chat soon.
Courseaire 11 months, 1 week ago
My condolences Mr. Holland that you have to waste your time attending an event that will try to convince you that they've actually done something these past 3 1/2 years other than spend your money.
annettespal 11 months, 1 week ago
Keep on drinknig the Kool Aid.
libsmom92 11 months, 1 week ago
Congratulations to you! Please go and enjoy your time there. Don't let the negative people on here tell you any different. BTW- I am an Independant voter so I make an informed decision based on the facts given to me not what party they are from. As I said please have fun and enjoy yourself!
fugitiveguy 11 months, 1 week ago
" Now I’m going to a convention where we are going to nominate a black man for his second term as president.”
For far too many people this is the only criteria that needs to be met while no consideration is given to the dismal job performance. What was it that guy said many years ago, "not by the color of their skin but the content of their character", seems like a good rule of thumb.
TooHot 11 months, 1 week ago
What percentage of black in a mixed-race person makes him "black?"
aggou 11 months, 1 week ago
Why have there been so many more stories written by the Pilot recently about the Democratic party, that get's posted to the front page, vs stories about the Republican party, when Republicans out register Democrats in Moore county by eight thousand votes?
This is a Republican county, we have all Republican elected officials, and I would request the Pilot take of their Democratic party glasses for one second, and realize the Democratic party doesn't not reflect the views of a majority of Moore County citizens as much as the Republican party. So the least the Pilot could do is post an even amount of stories about each.
I don't think that's too much to ask for.
coffecreme 11 months, 1 week ago
Congratulations Mr Holland it is a great opportunity no matter what party to participate in a national convention. Enjoy your time there!
Courseaire 11 months, 1 week ago
Mr. Holland - I have one request of you for the upcoming convention. Would you ask Pres. Obama if elected for a 2nd term, does he plan on running the government as transparently as he did the last 4 years?
DoubleHeroides 11 months, 1 week ago
@Aggou: I’m not a Democrat but I would like to try to counter your statements. While the predominate sentiment in the county leans towards the Republican Party the newspaper is not a democracy, it is a business and while you or even a majority of the residents of the county may not agree with the political stance illustrated in a particular article or even a series of articles that does not mean that every person in the county doesn’t want to read it either. As there are Democrats in Moore County consider for a moment that the articles may be directed to them, to Independents that like to keep an open mind on all issues and the goings on of both parties, or heck, even Republicans that are not so narrow minded that they can’t abide even looking at a newspaper article with a differing viewpoint. Until you back track a few years and show me, the public at large or the Pilot staff that there has been a clear bias in the total number of articles written (and you’ll need a good set of criteria to indicate bias) your claim that they print more articles favoring a particular party is unfounded. Further, again since the Pilot is a business, they are welcome (and well within their right) to hold whatever institutionally based political bias that they want. I don’t personally care for self claimed news outlets (in TV, print or on the web) that have a political bias but as far as local news goes, the Pilot is one of our few sources. Further, as my final point, this story isn’t touting the greatness of the Democratic party or pushing an agenda or political belief. It is about a local man who holds his own political belief independent of the newspaper and his involvement in a large national event that is taking place in our state. A local interest piece. If you or someone you know that lives in Moore County is going to be an active participant in the Republican National Convention tell the Pilot and I’m sure they’ll be more than happy to look into interviewing that person for an article. Let Mr. Holland have his moment.
coffecreme 11 months, 1 week ago
Excellent DH !!
aggou 11 months, 1 week ago
DoubleHeroides,
I'm not trying to take away from the thrill that guy must have to be selected to attend a national convention. I myself will probably go, if school permits, to the DNC to hear the President give his acceptance speech.
I am a huge political junkie. And I participate in many blogs, both left and right, including Dailykos. As you said the pilot is well in their right to endorse or have whig political lean they want. I myself have the right to call for fairness, in fact Democrats do it all the time when referring to Foxnews.
I wish Mr. Holland all the joy in the world, and nothing I said was meant to take away from that.
aggou 11 months, 1 week ago
DoubleHeroides,
I would also kindly ask you to not try and claim I am somehow close minded, when I have many friends on Dailykos, and in real life who are extremely liberal, but who i respect as people, and their political viewpoints, even though I strongly disagree with.
TooHot 11 months, 1 week ago
@DoubleHeroides - did you punch out from The Pilot's timeclock before you posted that?
nikamay 11 months, 1 week ago
Congratulations Mr. Holland! Enjoy this event as it is much deserved.
DoubleHeroides 11 months, 1 week ago
@Aggou: Your inference from my statement that I was alleging that you were “closed minded” was not a direct statement against you Aggou but rather an indictment of those within the Republican Party that cannot abide an idea that runs counter to their own. While at the time your comment clearly indicated to me a bias that you have since clarified, my reaction, while I admit was heated in its tone, was due in large part to your comment requesting that the Pilot demonstrate some partisan equitability when in fact this article has no partisan slant to it whatsoever and thus provides no reason to request such equitability. The article is about Mr. Holland going to the DNC and then includes excerpts of his own opinions regarding the Democratic Party and his beliefs. For someone to take that as a sign of political bias indicated to me (good, bad or indifferent) that the author of the comment most likely had an aversion to all things Democrat (people like that do exist in this world), hence why I provided my clarifying comments. Were the article about a man going to the RNC and his beliefs and opinions and someone commented something similar to what you did, indicting the newspaper for having a Republican stance, I would have said something about there being Democrats that can’t abide a differing opinion (people like that do exist in this world too).
DoubleHeroides 11 months, 1 week ago
@TooHot: Haha, I can see how one might think that however I am not in the newspaper business, just someone that doesn’t like extreme partisanship, real or perceived.
truthmatterstome2 11 months, 1 week ago
DoubleHeroides. If you are interested in openess, I would suggest that you include editorials in The Pilot in your statement that there is not enough evidence that the publisher is a died in the wool Democrat. In fact, if you look at the ownership of the paper, you will find that each of the owners are. I am not knocking their right to express their opinion, only that when they do, everyone should be aware where they are coming from. However, they cannot control all of their wives. One is hosting a Republican fund raiser this year.
LSM 11 months ago
Congratulations Mr. Holland!
And as in the book "Charlotte's Web" the advice given to Fern and Avery " to be really good, don't get lost, don't get dirty, don't get overheated and watch out for pickpockets".
Thatcher 11 months ago
Cool story! Best of luck Mr. Holland!
CC85 11 months ago
aggou - This is an American County. Show some class and put aside the Fox News mentality and simply congratulate this local citizen on this wonderful opportunity.
lakeview 11 months ago
Wonderful opportunity??? Too Funny.
Truth 11 months ago
Interesting that Mr. Holland was surrounded by pictures of his family. I wonder if any of those pictures included his grandsons whom one can see wearing their Ron Paul shirts from time to time. Has Mr. Holland even consulted those to whom the future belongs what they think? Talking to them myself in the past leads me to believe that once old enough to vote, (and that is not far off!) they would attend any convention other than the Democratic Convention. No one should be misled into believing that this is a family affair.
The_AnonymusProfit 11 months ago
Mr Holland, as a former Republican turned Independent Conservative leaning right, I want to say, have a wonderful time at the convention, politics aside, it is always an exciting time when we elect presidents. While I agree with little to none of the presidents policies, those are my opinions. I do hope that you will inspire people to be involved in the process.
It is only by becoming involved that things happen. There are whack jobs on both sides, but we as a country must have 2 strong parties, without the other both parties will lead us to ruin, it is only with both parties checking each other that our country succeeds and it has been such since the formation of the US.
God Speed!
Bentpan 11 months ago
Mr Holland congratulations While I as a conservative have a divergent belief in how our government should proceed from here, I'm proud a member of our local community took the time to have a real meaningfull impact on our countrys' future.
cooldaddy 11 months ago
I am.voting Republican Presidiential this time. DH...well written. The thrill is gone folks...back to real time. .....3 1/2 years plus the 2 years of Pelosi and Reid rule under Bush is tooooooooooooooooooooo long to do nothing. You go have fun and thank you for admitting it is on race. My vote is on economics. More power to ya. I will be at the polls with my vote.
carlj1161 11 months ago
I agree with CC85 show some class. Those of you who have nothing better to do than try to ruin a local citizens chance of a lifetime have no respect. This is the United States, you have a right to your opinion and the right to convey that opinion, but jeez give it a rest, trying to rain on a great honor for someone is not how to do it. There are plenty of other forums around here to do that. Besides when these rants about Obama, blah blah blah continue on, it makes that person look like a bitter old white guy. And how many young people really want to be part of a group of bitter old white guys.
cooldaddy 11 months ago
.Carl...you sound like a simple minded blind sheep. Since you catagorized people you do not know, I thought I would do the same, only without race as a factor.. Do you work, or is this a government issued computer you are on? Sterotyping you as a lazy bitter bloodsucking pest that you must be. No, wait, ...I am not any of that which you stated above. Why am I even responding? Because the bitter old white guys you refered too are paying for the very porches that lazy welfare 24 year old worthless vermin sit on. Is that you carl? I hope not. Grow up...get old, and one day mumble the same things you suppose the bitter old white guys are upset about. I hope by then you can leave race out of it.
JD 11 months ago
Congrats Mr. Holland. Too bad some ignorant haters had to post their feeble thoughts.
Bentpan 11 months ago
carlj1161And how many young people really want to be part of a group of bitter old white guys. Reid, Schumer, Grayson, Clinton (Bill not Hillarythough I'm pretty sure she wears the pants in that familly),Dodd, Frank, Pelosi (with all that plastic surgery, who knows), Dean, Leahy well you get the point,
SH59 11 months ago
cooldaddy, there's no reason for anyone to be rude here.
Patriot87 11 months ago
@Truth, As a matter of fact, Mr. Holland has pictures of ALL his grandchildren in his home, all ELEVEN, seven of which ARE eligible to vote and btw, WILL be voting democrat. Regardless of that, the point is not republican or democrat, it's that Mr. Holland is taking an active interest in the affairs of his community and government, and getting involved instead of sitting on the sidelines, which is something to be proud of no matter which party you're a member of. Don't presume that because you saw a CHILD in a Ron Paul t-shirt that you know the "truth" or that Mr. Holland does not have the full support of his family. I know for a fact that he does.
Patriot87 11 months ago
@TooHot You posted: "What percentage of black in a mixed-race person makes him "black?" Answer: One drop.
RmeMP 11 months ago
Since 87 wants to throw put stupid comments like "1 drop" makes a person black, I will henceforth never refer to him or her as a patriot. You see, being a patriot doesn't mean being racist, which he or she obviously is, it means being proud to be AMERICAN - regardless of race, regardless of what percentage a person is of ANY ethnicity.
Want to end racism in this country? Make it mandatory for EVERYONE, male and female, gay and straight, to serve a minimum 2 years in the military; when your relying on a fellow soldier to keep you alive, race is NOT A CONCERN!
I have never seen so much racism before moving to the south, and its not just white people either - there is as much "reverse racism" as there is regular racism.
Jeez people, get over it! The president is HALF black, and HALF white - SO WHAT!!! Stop focusing on that, and instead focus on his record, you either approve of it or you don't.
JD 11 months ago
Make it mandatory for EVERYONE, male and female, gay and straight, to serve a minimum 2 years in the military; when your relying on a fellow soldier to keep you alive, race is NOT A CONCERN!
Second half is ok, but the first bit sounds too much like antiquated Roman law. Do you also want to limit the vote to military persons too? There is no 'reverse racism" only racism. Anytime a person's worth is equated to skin color it is racist.
Here's a typical example:
I don't like Obama's economic policies. (not racist)
I don't like Obama's Kenyan Socialist policies. (racist)
RmeMP 11 months ago
First off, my mandatory military service point was not meant to be compared to Roman Law - it was meant to show that there is little to no racism (at least that I saw) amongst military men and woman.
Secondly, I believe you are mistaken when saying that people refer to, "Obamas Kenyan policies"; what you are referring to is called, "KEYNESIAN ECONOMIC POLICY" - and race has nothing to do with it, its a freaking type of economics!
You are a perfect example of people not knowing what they're talking about, but that's ok - people like me are only trying to educate you, so don't get mad.
Simply Google "Keynesian economics" and you will have learned something new today :)
Patriot87 11 months ago
@RmeMP. Lol, no, I'm not racist. For the record, I'm black myself. White America has been trotting out the "one drop" rule for centuries to exclude black Americans. I am simply embracing and reclaiming it. Obama is a BLACK man. Deal with it. It's so funny how when racist whites want to get rid of us, we're black (even if your only full black relative was three generations back). But when they are stuck with one of us, or in this case, one of us is running the country, they try to pacify themselves or make themselves feel safer by saying, "Well, he's not REALLY black...only partly."
RmeMP 11 months ago
I was trying to be nice and help you understand what you were wrong about, but that's ok. If you want "deal with something", you can deal with these facts:
Obama is half white, and half black; his black dad left him and his white mom when he was a small child, at which point he was raised by his white grandparents - then, he graduated from a predominantly white ivy league college.
To me, none of that matters, what I care about is how the economy, jobs, foreign affairs, and the housing market have all gotten worse since he took over as POTUS.
If you want to discuss what you like about him, besides his race, then please go ahead and contribute - if not, and the only thing you care about is race, then that's fine also; but, its people like you who keep racism alive in this country - not me.
JD 11 months ago
And the point goes over your head... such a shocker. Type in bigger caps your tears our nourishing. I did not make a typo, I have heard and read people call them Kenyan not Keynesian. That was the point of the example. You are also a perfect example of an idiot with no critical reading skills. Congrats I'm happy you can spell the word education and use Google!
Here you go try the link and learn something.
Or this one Rm
The more you know!
RmeMP 11 months ago
Whatever troll...
JD 11 months ago
You looking in the mirror yutz? You're doing it wrong. Go back to 9gag or 4chan. And keep crying Rm, I'm enjoying your tears with a nice Chianti.
RmeMP 11 months ago
Yip, that's right troll, I mean private viper, I'm crying - crying because I feel sad for your ignorance; you are the exact type of person that will never amount to anything in life, and sadly good people like me will have to pay the government to take care of your sorry self.
Ps: enjoy the taste of my tears, they're just one more thing that someone else has to provide for you :)
RmeMP 11 months ago
@ viperboy: I'm done with you
@ Mr. Holland: while I don't agree with your candidates policies, I do hope you enjoy the trip of a lifetime; and I wish you nothing but happiness in life sir :)
JD 11 months ago
Yep you don't agree with me so I must be someone else. Quick call Scooby and the gang. I'm also REggie/DR/Thatcher/Pest/Moon just keep naming names numb nuts. You display your ignorance that I am 'cared for by the government' sweet so why do I work and pay my bills then?
How do you breathe with your head so far up your butt Rm?
P.S. nice double post you so mad your tears made you click the submit button too fast?
SH59 11 months ago
Get over it everyone, stop bitching and appreciate the article for what it is. This isn't a forum to complain about everything you don't like. Have some respect for the article and stop making it into something it isn't.
JD 11 months ago
You new around here?
PercyKution 11 months ago
According to Mr. Thomas Jefferson's FARM BOOK, 1/16 makes 'em black. Of course we all know that 1/2 is a Mulatto, and the book says 1/4 is a Quadroon, and 1/8 is an Octoroon. Good book.
buskwon 11 months ago
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. That being said I do not care if Obama is black, he is the worst president this country has ever seen . The content of his character is a joke , He would lie to his own mother if he thought it would get him elected.
buskwon 11 months ago
Michelle Obama is just as bad if not worse, She talks trash about America but when Obama gets elected she is finally proud of her Country for the FIRST time , then she talks trash about celebrating the American Flag Well at least we have Government Transparency , The Obamas are so transparent they are see through.
buskwon 11 months ago
That reminds me of a joke , Barack and Michelle Obama are at the White Sox game.
Sitting in the first row with the Secret Service people directly behind them, one of the Secret Service agents leans forward and says something to the President.
Barack stares at the guy, looks at Michelle, looks back at the agent, and shakes his head "no" violently.
The agent then says, "Mr. President, it was a unanimous request, from the owner of the team down to the bat boy. And...the fans would love it!"
So, Barack shrugs his shoulders and says, "If that's what the people want."
He gets up, grabs Michelle by her collar and the seat of her pants, and throws her right over the wall into the field.
She gets up kicking, swearing, and screaming -- and the crowd goes wild, cheering, applauding, and high-fiving.
Barack is bowing and smiling, and leans over to the agent and says, "You were right,
I would have never believed that!"
Then noticing the agent has gone totally pale, Barack asks what is wrong.
The agent replies, "Sir, I said, they want you to throw out the first PITCH!"
Thatcher 11 months ago
PercyKution-- Somehow, I completely missed your post. I love Jefferson's Farm Book! Would love to discuss this one day with you! Cheers!
JD 11 months ago
I'm just happy buskwon isn't posting any more of his porno like he does in DR threads. Just insulting the first family which is par for the course for him.
MikeNC 11 months ago
Have a great time at your convention Mr. Holland. I understand how historic the election was in 2008. I cannot understand that this time around however. Any President should have to earn the American people's trust to be voted back into the White House. The President (IMO) has only proven himself to be another politician and nothing special for anybody; let alone for the betterment of ALL of us. My money is that you are going to be disappointed in the convention. You are going to see how this big party is going to be only about a political party regaining control for the power and perks that come with it.....At any expense. If that occurs; you can go home as they will not need you again until the next election. That would also be true for a republican convention as well. I just happen to believe that in this period of post economic melt down and joblessness; the republican Party actually wants to do something about it. I hope you write a letter to The Pilot describing your convention experience. Once again. I'm happy for you that you fulfilled a dream in attending; have fun and be observant of what's going on at the convention....Mike
Bentpan 11 months ago
buskwon 19 hours, 2 minutes ago Love the joke, won't it be great when we hand those two their eviction notice in Nov.?