Stand together, or fall separately
A story from one community that needs diversity, equity, inclusion, and the rule of law more than ever. As do we all.
A story from our community: our City Council established a commission to focus on the city’s role in supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion in 2021. The ordinance articulated its purpose:
… to assist [Town] City Council in promoting diversity, equity and inclusion in the City of [Town] through action, education, and guidance. The Commission will seek to support [Town] in celebrating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community that welcomes and is supportive to all residents and visitors because doing so enriches each individual's life and the community's wellbeing and vitality.
And, yes, it is now under threat. A group of about 300 people presented a proposed amendment to the city’s comprehensive plan to eliminate this commission. Why? Because, they believe, it is part of a “radical left-wing” agenda that “forces” people to tolerate “lifestyles” with which they disagree. They offer a fascinating contradiction; as at least one person put it, “treating other with kindness and respect is a moral imperative” and therefore does not need the force of law or active support by government entities. And in the same comment, the same person indicated that knowing “where [some] people choose to get their carnal pleasure” is so dreadful, they should not be asked to accept those individuals as equals.
In other words, queer folk should be invisible in order to spare the tender sensibilities of those who choose to be offended; but the taking of offense, itself a choice, must be protected by those same government entities. Very tortured logic indeed.
The folks who want to dismantle the commission insist that their names be kept secret from the public. As we learn about judges being arrested, as the administration and its allies flood social media with encouragement of harassment and impeachment for those who stand for the rule of law, these community members apparently fear that they will be targeted for their anti-DEI work.
This is exactly the danger of political violence and thuggery. It makes everyone afraid. In the same environment in which over 500 folks stood on public street corners to support the rule of law, knowing they might be subject to harassment, these 300 individuals seem to be afraid of their names becoming public.
That’s where we are, that’s what this administration and its supporters have created, and that’s what we have to stand against. The push to put queer folk back in the closet must be resisted; so must the spread of fear. I do not agree in the slightest with ending this commission; it has done good work, especially focused on supporting youth in our community. The rule of law protects everyone, and if it is damaged or destroyed, no one will be willing to publicly engage with their elected officials.
In fact, by asking for privacy, these 300 folks admit that our community needs to continue to work on its DEI efforts more than ever.
We stand together, or we fall separately.
Be safe and well and take good care.
