I am writing to ask you to reconsider your plan to override Mayor Wiseman’s veto with respect to the Equality Resolution and Plus-1 Insurance program for city workers.
I was so incredibly proud of my hometown of Starkville when I learned last year it had taken the brave step to do its part to shake off Mississippi’s shameful and brutal past of hate and bigotry by passing the Equality Resolution and Plus-1 insurance for city employees. Whenever I told people about my hometown’s leadership in the rights of all people, the general response was the same “….What? A town in Mississippi did that?” or “You’re joking right?” They were not able to shake off their past perceptions of Mississippi.
Your brave actions last year heralded a new day, not only for Starkville, but the entire state to not be last when it comes to doing what is right for all people and embracing equality. Your actions last year caused other cities and towns in Mississippi to follow your lead. Fast-forward to two weeks ago, and it seems the old Mississippi is back again and with a vengeance. Bigotry seems to be the order of the day and once again government is being used to send a message that it’s okay to discriminate.
This is certainly not an issue of cost, as the Equality Resolution is a simple statement putting the city on record that it does not condone discrimination against ANYONE including members of the LGBT community. The Plus-1 insurance plan would not cost the city one single dime, as the employee would be responsible for the insurance premium for the other covered person.
So I am forced to come to the only logical conclusion with regard to what motivated your votes last week on the Equality Resolution and Plus-1 insurance program to specifically exclude same-sex partners…. bigotry and hate for people who might be different from you. Sound familiar?
It should, because unless you’ve had your head in the sand your entire lives, these were the exact same actions and attitudes of our state leaders during the civil rights movement of the 50’s and 60’s. …
Last week, the United States Supreme Court agreed to take up the question of same-sex marriage in the United States. To settle, once and for all this latest civil rights struggle. While we don’t know how they will ultimately rule, given the rapid pace of advancement in this country on these issues just since their last rulings in 2013 coupled with the history of the Supreme Court not taking away rights already conferred upon citizens, I think we all know the likely outcome in June. Having said all of that, do you really want to run the risk of being on the wrong side of history again? I would hope, as leaders of my hometown, you are bigger people than that.
As another native son said in an email to each of you this past week, doing what is right is almost never easy and in most cases hard. Doing what is right is what each of you was elected to do. Elections are not about the past, but rather the future. You were all elected to be visionary leaders for Starkville and do what is right by all of its citizens, not just the ones you agree with or identify with.
I appreciate your time and request that you reconsider your position on these two issues. To continue on your current path to override the Mayor’s veto is a vote to perpetuate the shameful past of our state.
Thomas Paulk
Decatur, Georgia
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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