HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-22-23 Public Comment - I. Smotherman - Thank you to the City CommissionersFrom:Mickey Smotherman
To:Agenda
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Thank you to the City Commissioners
Date:Thursday, December 21, 2023 10:47:44 AM
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I did not attend the 12/19/23 meeting, but I just read the story in the Chronicle about the
"discussion" of the equity and inclusion plan. As a white male born in the South (lived
there until moving to MT at age 60 in 2007), I have witnessed all manner of racism,
bigotry and hate. As a TG female who "came out" after moving to Bozeman in 2017, I
have also witnessed much love and acceptance - the best in all of us.
I was saddened to read the hateful and biased rhetoric that was expressed by a small
minority of our citizens at the 12/19 meeting (the same minority who shows up at BSD
meetings to complain that "woke" teachers and administrators are brainwashing their
children). The hypocrisy of these folks is amazing. They don't understand the subtle
effects of centuries of racism and bigotry on all of our brains (i.e., when I see a black
man riding a bicycle down the street where I live, my brain thinks "what's he doing
here?"). When they ignore this inbred racism and bigotry and proclaim that programs
promoting equity and inclusion are discriminating against THEM, they are simply letting
their own bigotry rise to the surface.
Thank you for standing up to them and rebuking them for their hypocrisy. Being a public
servant is a thankless task, and it takes guts to do the right thing, rather than the popular
thing, so you deserve to hear from the "silent majority" who appreciate your service and
support you. It is only through standing up, over and over, that our society will change.
Otherwise, the Trumps - and Trump peons - will continue to rise up and destroy our
culture and our country. As a lifelong Christian (United Methodist), I believe that all of
the Gospel is wrapped up in the "new commandment" to Love My Neighbor as myself.
John 13:34. And "my neighbor" includes ALL of my neighbors, not just those who look
like me and think like me. Thank you for inspiring all of those you serve to follow that
commandment.
Ira (Mickey) Smotherman