Monday, March 29, 2010

City Commissioner Modifies "Racist"

After a series of meetings about filling a vacancy on the High Springs (FL) City Commission, where the need for diversity had been discussed, Commissioner Eric May posted the following to his blog;

I really hope our Commission can move past these type of racist and genderist remarks and select the candidate who suits our city the best.

Naturally, Commissioner Larry Travis took issue with the comment because not only is he proud of his record on women's and minority rights, but he had pushed for a black woman to fill the board's vacancy.

After hearing from several members of the community, Commissioner May clarified that he felt any discussion of race and gender would be racist or genderist, but because most people define "racist" as a hatred for those of another race, he modified his blogpost to say;

"I really hope our Commission can move past these type of remarks which could be easily construed as racist and genderist remarks and select the candidate who suits our city the best.

At their March 25th meeting, the High Springs City Commission voted to seat John Hill, with Commissioner Travis being the only dissenting vote and earlier that day, the High Springs Herald labeled Eric May's blog writings a good use of technology, yet "divisive".
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