The Bible states in Matthew 12:25, "And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand." Many citizens in northeast Louisiana are concerned about the divisions in our areas; North Monroe against South Monroe against West Monroe. Some residents who reside in West Monroe were products of the University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM), formerly Northeast Louisiana University (NLU). Many of those same individuals now criticize Monroe and have a disdain for its people. When businesses and industries are looking to locate in a certain area or community, they generally have expert surveyors conduct a feasibility study to determine the infrastructure of a particular community and surrounding areas. This survey will provide prospective investors with decision-making information to help them decide if an area meets their company and business needs. The survey could include speaking with other business owners, community leaders, elected officials, and even members of the community. The survey could also involve scrutinizing the schools, colleges & universities, roadways, and many other factors that would aid them in their decision process. Prospective businesses or companies could bring thousands to millions of dollars into an area. In the past 25 years, we have lost some of our largest businesses, such as the Guide Plant, State Farm Regional Offices, and CenturyLink. It is often said that businesses that leave a state migrate to Mexico, Canada, or other countries. The fact is some businesses merely go to other states that offer a better quality of life and are growth-focused. Popular areas include Dallas, Houston, Austin, Atlanta, and many other cities that have been deemed business-friendly. When businesses leave so often, it affects the availability of our local workforce. Our schools find themselves educating our youth for opportunities not found locally and leading them to relocate outside our state. We now live in a new global world that has changed how we think and what we do. We cannot allow ourselves to have the mindset of the past. The mission of the NAACP is to achieve equity, political rights, and inclusion by advancing policies and practices that expand human and civil rights, eliminate discrimination, provide access to better education resources, and economic security for all persons of color. Division and separation only lead to stagnation and destruction. We must come and work together as one. We should not be each other's enemy or adversary. We are in this together, and together we can win.

Photo Rev. Ambrose Douzart.