HomeMy WebLinkAboutNon-Discrimination Public Comment from Carolyn Harper 5-1-14 Bozeman City Commission Meeting
Speaking in favor of Non-Discrimination Ordinance for Bozeman
For every woman who has been shut out of jobs, housing, and education,
I stand here. For every woman abused or mutiliated in the name of someone's god
or tradition from ancient times to today, I stand here. Women were scorned for
having no children, too many children, not enough children. Kicked out of a job for
becoming married. Institutionalized for being "emotional." Sold into slavery.
Why stand here for women while the N j)O is being considered? Because too many
statements recently made remind me of the words and actions used against women
because of their "sex." And far too many words remind me of a man well-known
for promoting ethnic cleansing—a man who set himself up as God or was it
"gods?' And the man who's name begins with "H" wasn't the only one.
In our recent past as a country, western section of this country and city, words and
actions have been used as reasons to exclude others, besides women, from: jobs,
education, housing. And how would anyone know for certain if a person entering
a shop or asking for, heaven forbid, a cake is anyone other than just another human
being?�'GBLTTReally? what's the litmus test?
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A few, but not all of the names used out of hate and fear
were: Wop, Jap, Chink, Pollack And these names were combined with "dirty",
"filthy" or "dangerous." The Irish, Italians, Chinese, Japanese, Germans,
Mexicans, Native Americans, Armenians and Africans, (any one here related to
any of these nationalities?)...the list goes on and on "do not let your
child/daughter/son marry one of`them'." They were kicked, beaten or raped and
left for dead all too often. My parents threatened to stay away from my first
marriage because my first husband's family were Jews who converted to my same
religion. And his father was from Russia! They did accept him by the day of my
wedding and later.
The list goes on and on. It didn't matter then what the color was of someone's
skin--they were and too often still are, marked by nationality, religious practices, or
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customs like dancing or singing. "Did you know they do their wash on Sunday?!"
"Play cards?" I do not drink alcohol. Is that a reason to fear me?
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I have good friends who are members of the GBLT�community. They are honest,
hard working, in good standing members of their communities. I have relatives
who are living good lives and contributing to their communities who are members
of the�GBBL T%ommunities. I will not repeat here the words and actions used
against them by those who believe these men and women had a choice in how to
"be" in society. Treating them with scorn is an act that should be marginalized and
then outlawed. But, then again, we are a free country, right? And what's with the
assumption they are "having sex"? Does anyone belong in their bedrooms besides
them?
Remember apartheid? segregation? "No...(fill in the blank)...welcome here. "Sit
in the back of the bus, use the other bathroom, or better yet, no bathroom, we don't
serve...blacks, Indians, Mexicans... here." And the bathroom propaganda now?
Just that. Propoganda being used to cause fear. Now that is an idea I scorn as
ridiculous as it is only a screen for other deep-seated fear. but of what? Anyone
remember fears of miscegenation? Do you know what a misogynist is?
There is nothing right, good, honest, upstanding, in any of those statements. Ever.
EVER.
As a member of the Christian Science church here in Bozeman, a Christian religion
I might add, I must say that I have never been taught to hate or fear another human
being, although I may deplore an act. I have never been ordered by my church to
turn away from anyone whose color, manner of dress, manner of speech, hair
styles, makeup, or music is different from mine. Our teachings are based on Jesus'
words "Love one another as I have loved you." And among the Beatitudes
preached in his Sermon on the Mount are words that say we are to love even those
who abuse us. Remember the story of the good Samaritan?
I do not exclude here words and beliefs with which I am familiar in other religions
although I cannot quote them. I treasure my relationship with Gallatin Valley
Interfaith Alliance. But I do know this—those who preach love in the face of hate,
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who preach love in the most dire or ugly of human circumstances are the ones
upon whose faiths we can build a better community. Those who wipe graffiti
off churches, feed the hungry, do not preach hate and fear in their houses of
worship are building a strong community. I do not say that a minister or faith
leader cannot speak whatever he or she wants in their house of worship. I do not
say that parents can't teach their children to hate and fear others different from
them. I do not tell clergy what to tell their congregants to wear.
I do say that in public we should be doing better and not looking at anyone as
"other," therefore being mean, small minded.
Bozeman City Commission, take the right action. Pass a non-discrimination
ordinance f or the GBLAommunity in our city. Show that you stand against
hate and fear and wish to build a community based on humanity toward all.
S e rU
Sincerely,
Carolyn Hopper
3120 Augusta Dr.
Bozeman, MT 59715