Winnsboro community divided over racial tension issue
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WINNSBORO, La. (KNOE 8 News)- The story of Sharmeka Moffitt, the woman who police say set herself on fire but insinuated a hate group did it, has stirred up what some people in the community are calling "racial tension." But not everyone in Winnsboro agrees.
"I think this incident brought out how people really feel and think today". The Sharmeka Moffitt story has fueled an Internet uproar and not all of the postings are nice, many involve racial slurs.
Muriel Lynch who lives in Winnsboro says she is disappointed with what she's seen online. "Regardless of what race, just looking and reading the things they are saying are things I would never think would come out of those people's mouths" said Lynch and she adds the incident and the comments have heightened racial tension in the community.
Lynch says the proof is in the inflammatory posts coming from within the parish. "You know it makes you think, people you see everyday and you speak to them and they smile and it makes you wonder how they really feel".
But Winnsboro Mayor Jackie Johnson says the Franklin Parish neighbors who are typing the offensive posts are in the minority. "That is just very few people who are making a lot of noise and they mean no harm but they are doing a lot of harm and they don't realize it" said Johnson.
KNOE interviewed a man who said racial tension was not an issue in the community, but then he later asked us not to air the interview in fear of retaliation.
As for Lynch, racial tension is an issue she hopes the community will stop turning a blind eye to.
A candle light vigil is planned for tomorrow at 2 p-m in Winnsboro to pray for the Moffitt family.
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