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He knows what he stands for

By ERNEST HOOPER
Published February 9, 2007

Attorney Clinton Paris made headlines at a recent Hillsborough County Commission meeting when he passionately objected to the board issuing a proclamation recognizing Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee's 200th birthday at the same meeting that the board honored longtime civil rights activist James Hammond.

"It is absolutely appalling that this County Commission repeatedly talks about its progress, its ability to be inclusive and to move Hillsborough County forward," Paris said. "And we stop and we recognize somebody who, frankly, committed treason, somebody who would ensure that I wouldn't have an opportunity like this to stand before you."

It's not the first time Paris, who has an office in Riverview and lives in Valrico, has been outspoken. In 2004, Paris questioned why the School Board hired a new attorney without advertising the position and using a transparent process.

Over tasty dishes at Christine's Caribbean Cuisine in Riverview, I asked Paris why he's so outspoken, what he thinks about the proposed Confederate license tag and his personal hopes.

Pull up a chair and join us.

ERNEST: What's been the reaction since your impassioned speech at the County Commission meeting?

I would say 99 percent of the people have said, 'That needed to be said and I'm glad you said it.' That's been the consistent response. For the most part, people thought it was wrong and they didn't like seeing that done to Jim Hammond.

The Sons of the Confederacy not only got the county to issue that proclamation, they also want a state license plate that bears the Confederate battle flag. How does that strike you?

I'm kind of confused that the state would embrace the image of a foreign government that tried to take possession of property in the United States. The thing that can't be argued is that it was secession. It was an attempt to separate the United States. The fact that it's history is one thing, but it's something else when you try to wrap it up in today's government. I think there may be a place to preserve it and study it and discuss it. But I don't think it should be left to symbolism that can be attached to anything, particularly when the most profound image that it's attached to does not reflect how most people in these United States think today.

Do you think it could hurt Tampa in its pursuit of business relocations?

Absolutely. Think about it: One of the most important things a corporation is going to think about is (whether its) employees think they will be accepted and flourish in this community. You have to be careful with letting folks hijack our image as some backwards place that wants to revert back to that time.

Do you regret standing up on some issues?

What I've learned is that if you don't like something and you wait around for someone else to say something about it or do something about it, you'll just be sitting around waiting. You can't expect people to do more than you're willing to do or put at risk. The best thing for me is that I've never had much beyond my name, what I stood for and who I am. I still don't, so there's not much I can lose.

I understand you don't drink. Why's that?

I've always been pretty straitlaced. I'm a nondrinker and don't do drugs. I've always been that way and I've always stood that ground going back to high school. So I'm comfortable taking a position in a group where everyone else is thinking differently.

Is that why you're so outspoken?

I don't think I'm that outspoken, really.

Well, you did challenge the School Board in 2004.

I wouldn't say I challenged them. I brought to their attention something they were unaware of. Here's the undercurrent: Tampa has a bad reputation for not being a place where professionals get a fair shot to rise to the pinnacle of their professions. That's what (the School Board situation) symbolized to me - that the doors at certain places are not opened - particularly in the legal profession.

What keeps you here?

I see Tampa as the Wild West. Here, you can carve out a niche. You can make a way for yourself. My dad is from Sandersville, Ga., and he passed away in 1985. You still can walk in that town and call my dad's name and get credit at a store. That's the power of being anchored somewhere and building a history and heritage. My brother used to always say you climb a ladder in life. I'm trying to get as far up the ladder as I can so they're certain things my son won't have to deal with when he starts on the ladder.

DESSERT: A postscript from Ernest

Paris earned his undergraduate degree from the University of South Florida and his J.D. at the Stetson University School of Law. He is a former president of the George Edgecomb Bar Association, and still has fond memories of playing at the West Tampa Boys & Girls Club and getting treats from the Olympia Bakery.

[Last modified February 8, 2007, 08:25:42]