Alvin Oliver is an African American, a Shreveport native and a successful businessman.
He was an unsuccessful candidate for the Shreveport City Council in 2022.
He is a frequent attendee at the Shreveport City Council meetings. on Tuesday, he was a special invited guest to address the council on gun violence in the City of Shreveport.
He has a podcast--Keeping it Real--that generally addresses political issues.
Here are some quotes from his recent FB post:
"Shreveport residents. We are in a state of emergency, and we need to vote like our lives depend on it because it definitely does. We must get today, Wednesday and all week through this Saturday, March 18 and then on election day and vote for Henry Whitehorn For Sheriff...
We have got to do better in the African American and democrat community and do it now and not wait until election day. Our lives literally depend on it. Please lets tell somebody and take somebody to the polls and vote for Henry Whitehorn as the next Sheriff of Caddo Parish..."
Viewed literally, Oliver implies that the election of John Nickelson will result in more deaths of black people--possibly by whites or even Nickeson himself. "Racism" is defined as: prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism by an individual against a person on the basis of their membership in a particular racial or ethnic group.
"Hate speech" is defined as “offensive discourse targeting a group, or an individual based on inherent characteristics (such as race, religion, or gender), and that may threaten social peace.
Unfortunately, Oliver's comments clearly meet the definition of racism and border on being hate speech.
Seemingly, Whitehorn does not endorse these positions. However, Whitehorn has been very selective in speaking to the media with the exception of African American media outlets. He will be on Oliver's podcast this Sunday at 2 p.m.
Louis Avallone, co-host of American Ground Radio, advises that Oliver will be a guest on the radio show tomorrow (Thursday) at 5 p.m. No doubt, Oliver will be asked to explain why his life literally depends on the election of Whitehorn as Caddo sheriff. And maybe he will be asked if his comments/posting are racists as well.
John came to Shreveport in January of 1977 when he was transferred to Barksdale AFB.
He’s been active in Shreveport politics since deciding to make Shreveport his home.
John practiced law for 40 years and he now monitors local politics. He regularly attends Shreveport City Council and Caddo Parish Commission meetings.
John is published weekly in The Inquisitor, bi-monthly in The Forum News, and frequently in the Shreveport Times.
He enjoys addressing civic groups on local government issues and elections.