Hilton Head Island Residents Divided Over Council Member’s Comments on Myrtle Beach and Diversity Initiatives

Hilton Head Island Residents React to Council Member’s Old Remarks on Diversity

In the vibrant community of Hilton Head Island, a casual stroll through the local social media platform, Nextdoor, has sparked a lively discussion about the future of the town and its values. It all kicked off when a resident recently unearthed a short, edited clip featuring town council member Alex Brown from an August 2022 council meeting. The clip, which runs just 30 seconds, was shared on September 11, 2024, and carries a sensational tagline: “Alex Brown wants HHI to be like Myrtle Beach.”

A Look Back at the Video

The brief video segment showcases Brown discussing the integration of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) principles into the town’s strategic plan for 2023-2025. Brown points to the DEI initiatives embraced by neighboring Myrtle Beach, suggesting they could serve as a solid example for Hilton Head. However, the video only presents a sliver of a more comprehensive five-minute discussion stemming from insights gained during a state-wide conference.

Curious residents wasted no time in weighing in, with the initial post drawing 34 comments and a subsequent repost gathering an impressive 55 comments. While viewers were quick to address the comments on DEI, the original poster, Steven Even, indicated that the focus was more about the unusual comparison to Myrtle Beach. “It’s election season, so we’re looking through different videos from the town council meetings and we came across that and I was like ‘wow,’” shared Even. “I just thought it was odd for that comment to be made.”

Concerns Over Overdevelopment

For Even, his concerns stretch beyond the video’s message—overdevelopment of Hilton Head is weighing heavily on his mind. His worries culminated in a $500 donation to Daniel Anthony, Brown’s challenger in the Ward 1 race, who pledges a “resident-focused future.” Both candidates are vying for the same council seat, bringing their own visions of the island’s future to the forefront.

The Candidates Respond

Interestingly, neither candidate has seen the viral video. Anthony quipped, “I don’t do social media at all and this is exactly why,” noting that he wasn’t involved in the video’s creation or dissemination. Brown, however, expressed his disappointment, calling the situation an instance of “disinformation and clickbait tactics.” He reiterated his commitment to focus on pressing community issues rather than engaging in divisive politics.

Context of the Original Remarks

The video is a snippet from a council meeting held on August 16, 2022. In it, Brown reflects on the takeaways from the Municipal Association of South Carolina conference attended by several council members, including himself. Sessions at the conference covered valuable topics like civility and the importance of DEI, including one session led by Myrtle Beach’s dedicated DEI office, something Hilton Head Island currently lacks.

Brown emphatically reassured his fellow council members that “DEI is not a monster,” imploring them to view it as a constructive initiative rather than a threat. Using a relatable analogy about children of different heights trying to watch a baseball game, he illustrated why DEI and equality matter for the town’s growth and camaraderie.

Looking Ahead

While DEI is not explicitly labeled in Hilton Head’s strategic plan for the next few years, values like inclusivity, safety, and diversity shine through, emphasizing a commitment to a community centered around its people. As the election approaches, it appears that community members are keen to make sure their voices are heard, whether it’s through social media discourse or active engagement in town council meetings.

As the discussion evolves, residents on Hilton Head Island are reminded of the importance of community dialogue in shaping the vision and values of their beloved town.