Post by richardkelsey on Jul 13, 2010 13:28:58 GMT -5
newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2010-07-14/Editorials/Benefits_accrue_in_working_together_toward_progres.html
Benefits accrue in working together toward progress
GUEST COLUMN ANGEL MATOS
In the June 16, 2010, News Transcript Your Turn opinion piece titled “Answers Needed in Freehold,” co-authored by Freehold Borough resident Brian Sullivan and a Virginia resident named Richard Kelsey, there were a number of defamatory statements directed at Casa Freehold, Freehold Borough Mayor Michael Wilson and other individuals which the authors accuse of “malfeasance.”
The accusations are partly founded on the premise that borough officials somehow “caved in” to “demands” made by Casa Freehold and other advocates in the wake of a $278,000 settlement of a federal civil rights lawsuit against the borough.
Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Kelsey posit that borough officials, especially Mayor Wilson, should be brought to account for allowing an undocumented day laborer to serve as a member of the Freehold Borough Human Relations Committee (HRC). They claim the HRC member is undocumented based on a report published in a daily newspaper in May.
The anti-immigrant duet of Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Kelsey allude to some sort of coercion by Casa Freehold as a qualifier for why borough officials would make such an appointment. They describe Casa Freehold as “ … a radical, open borders group dedicated to the promotion of illegal immigration …” They go on to promote their allegation as a “truism.”
The fact is that many of the assumed truths promoted by the hateful campaign waged by Mayor Wilson, Freehold officials and some residents during the years they mention (2003-2004) have proven to be complete myths rooted in fear-mongering for political purposes and steeped in cultural bias. Some of the negative perspectives still persist, and exhibit A of this ignorance is the Sullivan/Kelsey guest column.
If it were not for Casa Freehold and regional organizations such as the Latino Coalition, United Day Laborers and the clergy, these immigrants would have no recourse against the occasional hatred and intolerance that continues to be directed their way.
In spite of the challenges, cultural progress in Freehold is being made not just because there is a substantial and widespread reaction to the injustices being imposed on the immigrant community. It is because of the recognition by Freehold Borough officials, from the mayor to the police chief, that problems do not get solved by employing heavy-handed tactics.
Unfortunately, it was only after the legal dispute was settled and constant political pressure was applied that earnest efforts to bridge the divide on the part of the officials began. And it was only because of the persistent vigilance by advocates that constructive dialogue and pragmatic approaches began to take shape. One very positive result of this approach was the inclusion of day labor representation on the HRC.
Now, what is the malfeasance Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Kelsey allege? A day laborer was appointed to an advisory position so he could volunteer his time, energy and counsel to benefit Freehold Borough. He provided free advice so the borough could reach an important constituency in the community.
The mayor deserves credit for showing wisdom and political courage in this instance. With direct input from the day laborer segment of the community, the committee was better positioned to understand and mitigate a complete set of impacts that bear on human relations within the borough.
Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Kelsey, the man from Virginia, continue to pick at old wounds. Most people have moved beyond the fights of the past, but not them.
The approach for a better Freehold Borough was articulated by Mayor Wilson on Sept. 19, 2007, in the News Transcript as follows: “We needed to stop talking at each other and start talking to each other,” Wilson said, adding that periodic meetings with representatives from the immigrant community have been a venue to discuss issues pertaining primarily to the safety, health and well-being of all residents.
“The meetings deal with issues that the Latino community may have and issues that we have as well,” the mayor said. “We are opening the lines of communication. There has been a give-and-take on both ends to bring the community to an understanding of the differences in the culture of both groups.”
In the present, the only answers needed from Mayor Wilson are how, as a community, we will collectively continue our progress. The only thing I would add to Mayor Wilson’s statement above is that there are more similarities within our communities than there are differences.
Progress is what we all want for ourselves, our families, and each other. In these economically and politically difficult times, there is much to lose by re-fighting lost battles, and much more to gain by locking elbows, developing mutually beneficial solutions, and answering the call to progress.
Angel Matos is the secretary of the Latino Coalition, Freehold.
My bad -- I posted this somewhere else. I gave its own thread.