Let’s Stop Local Political Bullying
A perspective from Kristie Mather
Who are we, Chapel Hill and Carrboro? How have we come to treat each other?
In the past year there have been two high-profile cases where public discussions and debates have degenerated into shouting and name-calling, both in person and online. It is troubling that some of my intelligent friends and neighbors who consider themselves kind and open-minded have acted so dogmatically that they will brook no disagreement. In fact, they thwarted democracy — the right of the electorate, not a small group of individuals, to choose our representatives. We can have a variety of feelings about the initial circumstances, but I hope we can reject usurping the democratic process.
I have omitted names in the interest of not reevaluating the particulars or furthering an aggressive tone. I hope we can change our methods as we move forward, and pointing fingers at any individuals in the past does not further this aim.
Almost exactly a year ago, when the school board made a controversial decision to expand the Mandarin immersion program, a group of angry parents walked out while yelling insults.
What followed from this group was a large-scale public records request and a series of questionable accusations hurled against two school board members along with an effort to punish the newly elected chair simply because she did not call out the first two. This group launched a formal recall attempt of all three, rather than waiting out the final months of their four-year terms.
The tone careened into the personal. Recall signs sprang up across town, particularly in the neighborhoods where the members lived. Signs were placed illegally, and replaced when the town took them down. The day of the CHCCS legislative breakfast, signs snaked from the event to a targeted member’s neighborhood. Meanwhile, a handful of individuals stood up at nearly every school board meeting berating board members. The chair resigned. Amid condemnation, the recall ended — but the damage was done. The board member who bore the brunt of the attacks did not run for reelection. The other had decided to run for a different office. The voters will never get the chance to decide for themselves.
Then, about a month ago, someone found donations that a candidate for the school board made to Donald Trump. When the fact was posted to Facebook, the “questioning” was immediate, relentless and soon became a piling on. Within a day, that candidate pulled out of the race, citing concern for his children.
Really? Yes… I’m a far-left liberal, with children whose last name is Trump, and I can attest that whether or not there are personal threats, such concerns are legitimate in this district. My daughter has come home in tears several times, having been teased. My son began using my last name when he entered middle school.
Making the information about the donations available to voters was fine. Badgering on social media was not. I’m not sure I would have voted for this candidate. However, it’s unjust for a small group of people to deny me — and all voters — the option to decide for themselves, for the second time in seven months. We don’t need self-appointed committees to decide issues for everyone else.
I believe in equity and tolerance, which means being civil even with — no, especially with — people with whom I disagree. I feel strongly that I should model the kind of tolerance and respect I want extended to vulnerable communities. I also believe in open, civil dialogue and hearing someone out before jumping to conclusions. Local politics — between neighbors, friends, fellow parents — should not become “gotcha” politics. That will scare a lot of good public servants away from a hard, but important task.
We’re in this together folks. Let’s act like it.
“If all mankind minus one, were of one opinion, and only one person were of the contrary opinion, mankind would be no more justified in silencing that one person, than he, if he had the power, would be justified in silencing mankind.”
― John Stuart Mill, On Liberty
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Hi Kristie, thanks for sharing. What made me mad the most is they put recall signs illegally but didn’t get any consequence. That set a very bad example to encourage people to violate the law as long as they believe they’re exercising the right of free speech. Sad!