We write on behalf of the Talbot County Branch of the NAACP and its President, Richard Potter, as well as Trappe resident Ari Rubenstein and the American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland, regarding unlawful censorship at County Council meetings when speakers express concern or criticism about the conduct of elected officials. Specifically at issue is censorship of criticism about Councilmember Price’s remarks at the Council’s June 23 meeting dismissing as false and overly “emotional” deeply-felt community concerns about racial inequities in Talbot County. As explained below, Mrs. Price’s use of authority to silence her critics violates the First Amendment.
At this moment when Black people across America are suffering enormous anguish triggered by events displaying official contempt for their lives and well being, it is critically important for all elected officials to open their minds and listen to the voices of their constituents, particularly on charged issues of race. Regrettably, Councilmember Price’s approach instead displayed both ignorance about the lived reality of many Black people in the community, and an unwillingness to listen and learn about perspectives different from her own. Accordingly, we ask you to publicly address and apologize for these incidents at the next Council meeting, and provide assurances that such abuse of authority will not recur in the future.
We note, and appreciate, that Mr. Pack contacted Mr. Potter on June 24 to privately apologize for any role he played in allowing Mrs. Price to censor Mr. Potter’s speech.
The Facts at Issue
As you know, the agenda for the County Council’s June 23 meeting contained several measures proposed by Council and community members to address race equity concerns, including establishment of a formal “Diversity Statement” for County government, and institution of regular diversity trainings and assessments. The agenda also included a resolution – long sought by the NAACP and other members of the community – concerning removal and possible replacement of the “Talbot Boys” Confederate monument. Indeed, we find the irony rich that Mrs. Price made her remarks denying the reality of racial issues in the County at the very same meeting where the Council was addressing removal from the Courthouse lawn of this controversial statue symbolizing white supremacy and racial oppression to so many.
Among the objectionable statements Mrs. Price made during the June 23 meeting were her contentions that measures addressing diversity were unnecessary, and her outright dismissal of racism saying “we do not have a problem here with this.” (Video, 37:56) “We don’t need to make a huge deal out of this,” she proclaimed, (Video, 38:40) in total disregard for the feelings of Black constituents whose experience living in Talbot County is quite different from hers. To make matters worse, Mrs. Price also contended that anyone who dared to disagree with her – expressly including Council President Pack – was being overly “emotional.” (Video, starting at 49:05) Coming from an elected representative of the Talbot County government, Mrs. Price’s pronouncements outraged many, prompting some speakers to want to respond during the portion of the meeting set aside for public comment. That is exactly what Mr. Rubenstein and Mr. Potter set out to do when it was their turn to speak.
Unfortunately, however, Councilmember Price was not willing to hear it. During the public comment portion of the Council meeting, Mr. Rubenstein, participating in the meeting via telephone, expressed his concern about Mrs. Price’s attempt to pretend away the existence of any race discrimination in the County, calling it “disgusting.” As he said this, Mrs. Price raised her voice, exclaiming: “[T]hat’s inappropriate!” (Video, starting at 3:15:00) President Pack then cut in, asking Mr. Rubenstein to give the Council his comments without any “direct.” Struggling to understand what this instruction might mean, Mr. Rubenstein altered his remarks to drop Councilmember Price’s name from the rest of his comments. He then provided a series of statistics revealing racial disparities in Talbot County government to dispute Mrs. Price’s uninformed contention that there exist no racial inequities in local government.
Video of this meeting, which was conducted partly in person, and partly remotely, is available at this link
The problem got significantly worse when it was Richard Potter’s turn to speak. Mr. Potter, the well-known President of the Talbot County NAACP, called in to the meeting to address the Talbot Boys resolution, as well as Councilmember Price’s false claim that there is no racial divide in Talbot County. As is his nature, Mr. Potter spoke in a respectful and reasonable, albeit impassioned, tone. He commended Councilmember Divillio for his initiative in proposing a resolution for the long-running Talbot Boys dispute, then turned his attention to Councilmember Price’s “appalling” remarks opposing any vote on the diversity statement or training, and claiming no racial issues exist in Talbot County. “This has got to stop!” interrupted Councilwoman Price, in a piercing voice. Mr. Potter continued nevertheless, saying what was clear already to many in the audience: “It’s obvious that she is speaking from her white privilege.” At this, Councilmember Price pushed back her chair, grabbed her purse and snapped “I’m done.” As she rose from her chair, and Mr. Potter went on trying to speak, Councilmember Price rudely spoke over him, demanding “if you don’t stop him, I’m leaving.” Responding to Mrs. Price, the clerk controlling the technology for the meeting said she was trying to “mute” Mr. Potter as quickly as she could, succeeding in this effort to silence Mr. Potter a few seconds later. (Video, starting at 3:17:20)
No rule was cited to justify this action, no legitimate objection made or discussed. Rather, Councilwoman Price decided unilaterally to deny Mr. Potter his opportunity as a citizen of Talbot County to be heard on matters that impact his community. It was, as Mr. Potter said of Mrs. Price’s other conduct, appalling.
The President then abruptly ended the public comment section of the meeting. (Video, at 3:18:15)
The Governing Law
It should go without saying that criticism of public officials lies at the heart of the speech protected by the First Amendment. E.g. Rosenblatt v. Baer, 383 U.S. 75, 85 (1966) (“Criticism of government is at the very center of the constitutionally protected area of free discussion. Criticism of those responsible for government operations must be free, lest criticism of government itself be penalized.”). As the Court put it in New York Times v. Sullivan, 376 U.S. 254 (1964), “we consider this case against the background of a profound national commitment to the principle that debate on public issues should be uninhibited, robust, and wide-open, and that it may well include vehement, caustic, and sometimes unpleasantly sharp attacks on government and public officials. Id. at 270. And as courts around the country have repeatedly determined, prohibition of critical comments about public officials at meetings of public bodies that are overbroad and/or content or viewpoint based restrictions violate the First Amendment. E.g., Acosta v. City of Costa Mesa, 718 F.3d 800, 811-821 (9th Cir. 2013) (City council’s prohibition on “any personal, impertinent, profane, insolent, or slanderous remarks” violates First Amendment); Bach v. School Bd. of City of Virginia Beach, 139 F. Supp. 2d 738, 743 (E.D. Va. 2001) (school board bylaw that prohibited “personal attacks” during the general public comment period of board meetings was facially unconstitutional); Gault v. City of Battle Creek, 73 F. Supp. 2d 811 (W.D. Mich. 1999) (Granting preliminary injunction against city commision rule barring personal attacks at public comment portion of meeting; comments about police chief’s extramarital affair protected by First Amendment); Leventhal v. Vista Unified Sch. Dist., 973 F. Supp. 951 (S.D. Cal. 1997) (School board bylaw prohibiting criticism of district employees at board meetings violates First Amendment); Baca v. Moreno Valley Unified School Dist., 936 F. Supp. 719, 730 (C.D. Cal. 1996)
(Granting preliminary injunction against school board policy prohibiting comments that include charges or complaints against any district employee).
Here, Councilwoman Price cannot even claim to be enforcing any County rule to justify silencing her critics, as the County has no such rule. There is nothing in the County’s “Meetings Protocols”3 allowing officials to stifle speech that is protected by the First Amendment just because they don’t like it. Rather, members of the public are allotted three minutes in which to speak their minds on relevant topics of their choice, including expressing concern or criticism of public officials. As such, Councilwoman Price’s abuse of authority to silence criticism was unlawful.
***
Never have citizen rights to speak freely and to petition their government for redress of grievances been more vital than they are today, as America faces a historic reckoning about race and racial justice. Talbot County is not exempt from this moment, as the Council has recognized by proposing resolutions and initiatives concerning issues of race, equity and diversity. Members of the community strongly support this; they wish to seize this opportunity to engage with elected officials in courageous conversations aimed at acknowledging and reconciling the evils of the past and their continuing legacy. This requires County Council members not only to speak boldly, but also to listen thoughtfully, especially to viewpoints and opinions that differ from their own. Councilmember Price’s June 23 actions precluded this, and if her interference with citizen speech rights is left unaddressed, it will hinder progress at this pivotal moment.
For these reasons, we ask you to publicly address the Council’s error in censoring citizen speech, and commit to conduct future meetings in accordance with the Constitution. Please contact us, or have your attorney contact us, at 410-357-0996 or 410-736-8669 if you would like to discuss these issues further, and to let us know how you intend to proceed.
Deborah A. Jeon Legal Director
Vikrant S. Chandel Law Clerk
NAACP and ACLU
Talbot County Meeting Protocols:
diana notigan says
Wow, sometimes I am ashamed to say that I grew up in Easton. It was racially divided then and sounds like it still is!!! That statue should have been long gone!! Very sad to not let people progress!!!!
Jason Bell says
I disagree. I think Price was keeping civil discourse against a litany of baseless opinions, and when she didn’t cave, now she’s proclaimed as a poor politician. To ask the public to see color, you invite racism. Everyone has the opportunity available to them to better their lives and obey the law. Just because a group of misfits want to start trouble, doesn’t mean we should erase the monuments of our history. And if we do, it should be fair. Pull down one, pull down the other.
Linda Hamilton says
Thank you.
Deirdre LaMotte says
“Just because a group of misfits want to start trouble, doesn’t mean we should erase the monuments of history”. No one is asking American to rewrite
history, in fact let us expose the shellacking of the
Confederacy and its cause to enslave people. A monument is just that, an honor. The confederates
we’re treasonous , keeping Blacks as slaves
in order to prosper. This is despicable. No one is denying history. But we must end glorifying an inhumane cause. Read all you want to about your
Confederates in history books and visit museums
to soak in all that is “Confederate”. Please, though,
do not tell us that our nation should not evolve; this is what a civilized nation does: learn and amend. Even General Robert E. Lee asked that no statues of confederates, he included, should be built.
And the word “misfits”? Some of the bravest people in history have been called that. Thank you.
Bruce Williams says
Monumental Statuary have one purpose – to glorify. No other nation on earth glorifies those who fought to preserve slavery.
Nancy Toby says
The First Amendment was put in place to protect free speech in situations just like this – by people that you label “misfits” in speaking out against public officials.
Connie Lauffer says
Ms. Price,
I know your voice.I hear your words.They are in my own head. It is the voice of white privilege.
And I know that because, I fortunately, happened upon a diversity seminar a few years ago given by the Talbot Family Network. I thought I harbored no prejudice. I thought life in Talbot County was without racial issues. This beautiful, idyllic county on the Eastern Shore of Maryland!
Then came the seminar. I listened and offered honest comment through tears sometimes. It was two days of interactive conversation with white people like me and with people of color, my county neighbors. I learned a little bit, but just a little bit.
It takes more than a two day seminar for white privilege to understand the long and agonizing history of racial discrimination!
We’re hopefully now on the bumpy road to understanding!!
Henry Herr says
I wish this letter also addressed that she openly lied during the meeting. I addressed that in my public comment and Mr. Pack agreed with me when he concluded the meeting, expressing “Mr. Herr has been here before this” (paraphrased)
Tyra Nash Wingard says
It is embarrassing in this day and age to have a council member as clueless and self absorbed as ms. price in our county. She is out of touch with the issues in the county and unwilling to listen or learn from our citizens. She is the county employee who could most benefit from diversity and sensitivity training.
She may try to infringe on the 1st amendment rights of the citizens, but she will only make more of us speak up against small minds and clueless leadership.
Alan Boisvert says
Wah…wah….if you don’t stop I”ll….. Are you kidding me????????? I moved to Talbot county for this?
Carl Widell says
Laura Price felt the need to mute Mr. Potter’s comments during an open session of the Talbot County Council. Why? What is her legal basis for doing so? Why did the County Clerk proceed to mute Mr. Potter without a legal basis to do so? Why were the other Council members silent? Mr. Potter has given his side if the story. What is the other side?
Christina Loren Morrison says
As a former resident of Talbot County who grew up in the West of our country, I would like to express deep disappointment that Mr. Potter’s views were not allowed to be expressed regarding the statue of The Talbot Boys.
When my family and I first saw your statue sitting in the public space before the courthouse, I remember feeling only shock and disgust that such a thing would still reside in a place of honor in the 21st century. I, also, have family members who fought in the Confederate Army, yet I would rather see every statue of their memory torn down and every emblem of their traitorous choice removed, rather than be a part of hallowing them to the distress and intimidation of my neighbors. This is the time to listen to our Black friends and neighbors, to set aside our own experiences and to hear from others who have a background outside of our ken. Mrs. Price’s behavior was appalling, disgustingly privileged and tone deaf to the current situation of Black America, particularly in this day and age. I am disgusted that she was allowed to be so rude and disrespectful and the treatment of Mr. Potter calls into question the wisdom and leadership of every other town counselor who did not stand up and demand that SHE stand down and be quiet during his time.
As an “outsider” to Talbot County, who grew up reading everything I could about your great American hero, Harriet Tubman, and who read the autobiography of Frederick Douglass during my time in Talbot, let me suggest you appear backward in recognizing who exactly were the protagonists and antagonists in your own story.
If you lag in finding another place for the Talbot Boys statue, I promise you, there will come a generation of young people even from your own Eastern Shore, made up of ALL racial backgrounds who will care about justice, understand the times, and have the fortitude and moral courage to do this job for you, and it may be the end of the statue, rather than only its appropriate removal.
Sherry Potter says
Price needs to resign!! This county does need diversity training. She think it is okay to turn the cheek the other way, no it is not. Diversity training helps to understand the importance of other race. It needs to be a week of training because 2 days will not cover all issues.
Charlie Bohn says
Thank goodness Ms. Price is bringing some rationality to this discussion. Best idea i have heard is to take a county wide vote and let the citizens decide on the statue. WE have a election in November lets use that to decide.
Jeannie Whitesell says
Mr. Bohn,
Sometimes a vote is appropriate and sometimes – such as in the case of a majority oppressing a minority – it is not. In those cases we must simply have the courage to do what is right.
The Talbot Boys statue was put in place on the courthouse grounds by white people who wanted to intimidate people of color, as a symbol of Jim Crow. Is this the kind of history we should be honoring? Obviously not.
That the statue also “honors” people who were traitors to their country is another strike against it. It certainly should not be on the grounds of a courthouse dedicated to the impartial administration of justice, and, I would argue, has no place in any public space.
I certainly do hope, though, that Ms. Price’s name will be on the ballot in November, so that I may vote against her. A politician who is unwilling even to listen to citizens cannot be representative.
Charlie Bohn says
Foolish remark, let the voters decide!
Jeannie Whitesell says
Mr. Bohn,
Exactly which part of my remark is foolish? Your dismissive comment offers no rebuttal of my argument, so I can only assume you have none and agree that:
1. Politicians need to listen to the people they represent (even when they disagree), and
2. The Talbot Boys statue is a symbol of Jim Crow meant to intimidate people of color.
I am sorry if my opposition to your position annoys you, but these are two issues of utmost importance to me.
If we had let the voters decide, we would still have segregated schools. Sometimes politicians must simply have the courage to do what is right. Exposing white privilege and rectifying our previous societal errors may be painful to some, but it needs to be done. Perhaps these words from Maya Angelou may help all of us to heal: “History, despite its wrenching pain cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage need not be lived again.”
Incidentally, as a fellow church member who has been to your home on numerous occasions and served with you in at least one volunteer community organization (if not simply a fellow human being), I would expect that you would address me by name with honorific, as I have done for you. That you have chosen not to do so speaks volumes.
Yours sincerely,
Ms. Whitesell
Bruce Corley says
Wow, this is utter nonsense!
I stand with Councilwomen Price and I am sick and tired of this “Black Lives Matter Nonsense”! Who funds Black Lives Matter and who is benefitting from this “mindless sheep show”?
I know the answers but are any of you capable of finding out those answers for yourselves?
All lives matter and this is the United States of America, if you do not like this great country, do not let the boarder door hit you on your way out!!! Quit trying to erase and change our history. We need to learn from our past and move forward, you erase what you do not agree with and guess what, we will be doomed to repeat it….
Jeannie Whitesell says
Mr. Corley,
I believe you mean “border” door, and I suspect your knowledge of history is even less than your knowledge of spelling and grammar.
Over 350 people from Talbot County fought on the Union Side for the Civil War. That is history. Confederate statues – including the one memorializing the 80-some traitors from Talbot County who fought against the US – were put up all around our great nation during the Jim Crow era (another part of our history) in order to intimidate people of color. Veterans of our other wars are not memorialized on the courthouse grounds, although they are memorialized elsewhere. The placement of this statue at the door of the courthouse is no accident and part of a shameful part of our past.
Why would we want to celebrate our – hopefully bygone – bigotry with such a statue in front of the finest public building in the county?
My father, a US Marine and lawyer buried at Arlington Cemetery, taught me that the greatness of America wasn’t that we expelled people who disagreed with us (even through doors that don’t exist). The greatness of America is that any citizen can effect change. We are all responsible for our country, and we should be striving at all times to make it a better place.
Just as we sometimes go through our closets and purge outdated (and sometimes embarrassing) outfits, we should also examine our public symbols to see if they truly represent who we are and aspire to be. It is long past time to purge this embarrassing symbol from Talbot County. It is simply not becoming to us.
Bruce Corley says
“When the debate is lost, slander becomes the tool of the losers.” -Socrates
Your grammar/spelling police pettiness is not a very becoming character trait and given you have no idea of my race or background some could even state that your comment is racist but I will call it an example of arrogant privilege….See how those ridiculous arguments can go both ways?
Regardless, you did not address my main point, who funds Black Lives Matter and who benefits the most from their recent activities? Here is a hint, it is the same organization who funds ANTIFA.
This is not about going through our closets and purging outdated or embarrassing garments. I had family fighting against each other during the Civil War and I am not embarrassed by their actions, I simply do not want to repeat them and that situation is at our doorsteps right now. It is time to stop fanning the flames…
The organizations manipulating the “mob” to remove our past, via monument removal, do not care about you or I. They care about one thing and one thing only, VOTES.
Our current situation is not about racism, systemic or otherwise, it is about the 2020 election. Why else do you think a voter registration booth was setup at “our” Easton Black Lives Matter protest a few weeks ago. Also, have you noticed an increase in Cover-19 cases here since the protest???
Do not project your ideas of bigotry upon myself or anyone else who disagrees with removing monuments meant to remind us of our History, good bad or indifferent. If you think about that a little while you might just realize that is in line with what your father taught you…..
I am an Independent voter, always have been and always will be, but these ridiculously dangerous antics, which seem to arise every summer before a presidential election, have cemented my vote for President Trump.
Jeannie Whitesell says
Mr. Corley,
I apologize for criticizing your spelling and grammar. You are correct, that was wrong of me.
However, you must admit that it is strange to have a monument to the losers of a war. You don’t find statues of Hitler in Germany. He lost, and his ideas have been repudiated. I, too, have relatives who have fought in every war this country has waged. I can show you relations who fought for the British in our Revolution and those who fought for the revolutionaries. That doesn’t mean I want a statue of General Gage of Britain in a public space, nor any other names from the losing side of the Revolution. Although in my direct family line several of my great-great grandfathers fought on the Union side in the Civil War, I am also a distant cousin to Gen Robert E. Lee, who specifically asked that no statues should be erected in his honor.
The reason that we – alone of all countries in the world – have monuments to the losing side of the Civil War, is racism. The reason why so many of these monuments are placed on public spaces, especially court house grounds, is racism. The vast majority of these monuments were erected during the Jim Crow era to remind people of color that whites were still more powerful and controlled the government, especially the courts, and that people of color could not expect equal protection under the law. They were intended to intimidate.
In Northern Ireland the Orangemen (white protestant Christians) insisted each year on parading through the Catholic (white papist Christians) parts of town, for much the same reason: a display of power and intimidation. Inevitably, this led to fighting – often deadly. The way to stop the flames, as you say, is to stop the display of power and intimidation – in Northern Ireland’s case the parades, in our case this monument, which is a symbol of Jim Crow. Ultimately the way to stop the flames is justice for all.
That being said, I am curious to hear how keeping the statue designed to intimidate people of color could stop us from repeating history. Can you please explain?
As for Antifa and BLM, what objections do you have to them?
Antifa is short for Anti-Fascist. It is hard to believe that any American would be for Fascism! Merriam-Webster defines Fascism as “a political philosophy, movement, or regime (such as that of the Fascisti) that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition”. This seems to be totally opposed to our way of life! Fascists restrict Freedom of Speech. Fascists restrict weapons to those who agree with them. Fascists oppress minorities and those who oppose them.
The FBI does not include Antifa on any list of terrorist organizations, and, in fact, the movement does not seem to be centralized – it is more of a personal choice. Hitler, Mussolini and Franco were Fascists. It could certainly be argued that Putin is Fascist. I should think that we would all want to avoid fascism, since it is incompatible with democracy. I am certainly anti-fascist, though I (like most people who are) don’t do more about it than write letters like this.
Black Lives Matter (BLM) is also an idea embraced by many people, however there are several, not-well-centralized organizations that have sprung up around it. Although there was at least one BLM organization before the tragic Travon Martin case, that is when it really took off. It cannot truly be said to be funded by any one person. Many people have donated to various BLM organizations. I believe that Black lives matter (though I am not black), but I am not a part of any organized BLM group, nor have I contributed to any specific BLM group yet – although I do contribute to the Equal Justice Initiative and many other causes will, I hope, allow everyone: black, white, and rainbow colored, to thrive together in our country. I did attend the Easton BLM protest (appropriately masked and with hand sanitizer), which honored George Floyd and protested police brutality. I have also attended peaceful protests in Washington DC, including for BLM and the Womens March. Protesting is the right of every American. Many people move here from other countries just so they may speak freely in a country that protects that right. We are not unique in that protection, but we were the first.
Voter registration was a natural part of the Easton BLM protest (as it is a part of many protests for a variety of causes), because it is important for all citizens to vote, especially if they are from traditionally disenfranchised groups. How could there be a problem with voter registration? It is your belief that certain citizens be excluded from voting?
As a health care professional, I can tell you a large part of the increase in Covid-19 in our community is because of the relaxing of the safe-at-home order and the ridiculous way people are wearing their masks – or not wearing them at all, As an OR nurse, if anyone had walked into my OR with their mask not covering their nose they would have been ushered out immediately and permanently, yet every time I grocery shop I see a dozen or so people wearing their masks in this ridiculous way. They may as well wear it on their elbows. I have advised my children to cover all mucous membranes on their faces when in public – including their eyes which, along with noses and mouths, allow entry for the coronavirus. I advise you to do the same, since I wish you no ill.
I agree with you that the person/organizations manipulating the “mobs” right now is/are only interested in the 2020 election, but I suspect we disagree on the identities of that person/organizations. I think Mr. Trump/Fox News & Russian Ops are the ones trying to sow discord in America. Russia certainly benefits if we become dysfunctional; Fox gets higher ratings when their “news” is more sensational; and Mr Trump cannot be prosecuted so long as he is president. Who else do you thinks benefits?
One of the most important things my father taught me was to look at many different sources of information and, after researching, use critical thinking to find the truth, but never ever be afraid to take another look and change my mind if the facts warrant it. I would be most interested, Mr Corley, in hearing your response to my questions or my assertions. I am not your enemy, and I am very sorry if my spelling/grammar pettiness made it appear so. We may disagree on this or even many issues, but I am sure that we are both simply trying to live together in harmony.
David Lloyd says
I think next time she is up for re-election, there will, hopefully, be an enormous turnout to deny her another term.
Linda Baker says
Laura Price, I will vote for you! I’ve watched how the other council members coward down. Especially on the police defunding vote. Everyone is talking about the first amendment. You keep speaking and using your first amendment.
Jeannie Whitesell says
Mr. Lloyd,
I agree with you whole-heartedly. A person who cannot listen to differing points of view with equanimity has no business being in politics.
Rebecca Jones says
I agree with Mr. Jason Bell if one goes, both must go. The Talbot Boys monument stands for the people who gave there life for us and there is no reason to start this soap box again. Haven’t we been thru this before. We all matter and lets make that the importance. Mrs Price has a right to her own opinion and I give her credit for standing her ground. We need more who will do that.
Heather Dahl says
“Us” is factually incorrect. The Talbot Boys did not give their life for “us”, they gave their life for white people to enslave black people. Let’s be clear based on historical documents that what these Confederate soldiers fought to preserve and that was to enslave another human being based on the color of their skin. Let’s not equate their fight to preserve of the slavery to “us”, unless you mean “us” as in people who continue to support white supremacy and systemic racism in our country.
Jeannie Whitesell says
Ms. Jones,
While I would agree that Ms. Price has a right to her own opinion, as an elected representative in Talbot County she also has a duty to listen to her constituents. According to what I have read of the rules governing this meeting, each constituent had a right to speak for 3 minutes. Ms. Price denied her constituent his right.
I completely disagree that we need more politicians who put their own opinions and desires ahead of their constituents’ and ahead of what is just. We need politicians with honor and backbone and moral fiber who can show respect to their constituents even when they personally disagree with them. Most importantly, we also need more politicians who aren’t afraid to take an unpopular stance and lead us when we disagree with a policy that would ultimately benefit us all, whether it be treating all citizens fairly or wearing masks during a pandemic. Sometimes they do this by persuasion, but never by cutting off communications with those they represent.
David Montgomery says
I wonder whether the ACLU would have written this letter if the constituent had been cut off for saying to Mr Pack that he “was viewing this through the lens of black victimhood,” which is as close as I can come to the equally offensive attack on Ms Price for “white privilege.”
Jeannie Whitesell says
Mr. Montgomery:
As a white person of privilege, allow me to note that Ms. Price’s assertion that there is no racism to be dealt with in Talbot County (quote: “we do not have a problem here with this.”) is ridiculous. Ms. Price may not have a problem here with racism, but many people do. This is a textbook example of viewing racism through the lens of white privilege.
If you were to say that I, a middle-aged white woman, “am viewing this through the lens of Black victimhood” I would not be at all offended. The ability to view things from the perspective of others is a good thing in anyone and vitally important in our elected officials.
Jeannie Whitesell says
Mr. Montgomery:
As a white person of privilege, allow me to note that Ms. Price’s assertion that there is no racism to be dealt with in Talbot County (quote: “we do not have a problem here with this.”) is ridiculous. Ms. Price may not have a problem here with racism, but many people do. This is a textbook example of viewing racism through the lens of white privilege.
If you were to say that I, a middle-aged white woman, “am viewing this through the lens of Black victimhood” I would not be at all offended. The ability to view things from the perspective of others is a good thing in anyone and vitally important in our elected officials.