Let Sen. Buttars be judged at the ballot box [That's the title the paper gave]
By Grantley Martelly
Article Last Updated: 02/23/2008 01:39:30 PM MST
Note: The Opinion refers to comments made on the floor of the Utah Senate by a Utah Senator that were inappropriate, offensive and racist to some in our community.
I find it rather disingenuous of the NAACP to be representing itself, and for the media to portray it, as the voice piece of all people of color and on matters of race, ethnicity, bigotry, offense or reconciliation. As a matter of independence, I'd like it to be known that the NAACP does not speak for all of us on every matter.
In the matter with Sen. Chris Buttars, as inappropriate and outrageous as his comments may be, the NAACP is not the sole arbitrator of offensive or racist speech for all people of color and hence it is not imperative that they be consulted or appeased. Sen. Buttars does not have to prostrate himself at their altar or pose for a media-staged apology that may or may not be genuine. This is not to say that organizations such as the NAACP do not serve a role in society to be alert to matters that may affect our civil rights or intervene to bring representation or resolution in instances of violation of civil rights, racism or victimization.
Sen. Buttars, racist or not, misspoken or deliberate, is a member of a political party, a member of the state Legislature, an elected representative and a member of our community. In any of these capacities, there are proven and effective public and private ways for an offense to be dealt with, for an apology to be made and for reconciliation or retribution to be exacted.
This matter does not have to serve as fodder for another media-based controversy over Buttars versus the NAACP.
Every instance of inappropriate or offensive language or action does not need a civil rights organization or politically charged figure to resolve it. One does not have to be a person of color to be offended by racist speech or actions. Every person of color is not offended by the same words or actions. Some actions and speech, however, are offensive in any form or instance. The words of Sen. Buttars do not require the interpretation or amplification of a civil rights organization to be interpreted as offensive or inappropriate. We can apply connotative and denotative contextualization to what we see, hear and read without a press release from the NAACP.
There are other credible, experienced and well-respected community leaders such as The Rev. Dr. France Davis who can be invited to the table and help bring resolution to the matter at hand if this is what is needed. I find it difficult to believe that the Utah Senate cannot handle this matter and bring it to a conclusion. Ultimately the true verdict on Buttars' speech and subsequent actions or lack thereof can be revealed at the ballot box.
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* GRANTLEY MARTELLY resides in Murray.
In the matter with Sen. Chris Buttars, as inappropriate and outrageous as his comments may be, the NAACP is not the sole arbitrator of offensive or racist speech for all people of color and hence it is not imperative that they be consulted or appeased. Sen. Buttars does not have to prostrate himself at their altar or pose for a media-staged apology that may or may not be genuine. This is not to say that organizations such as the NAACP do not serve a role in society to be alert to matters that may affect our civil rights or intervene to bring representation or resolution in instances of violation of civil rights, racism or victimization.
Sen. Buttars, racist or not, misspoken or deliberate, is a member of a political party, a member of the state Legislature, an elected representative and a member of our community. In any of these capacities, there are proven and effective public and private ways for an offense to be dealt with, for an apology to be made and for reconciliation or retribution to be exacted.
This matter does not have to serve as fodder for another media-based controversy over Buttars versus the NAACP.
Every instance of inappropriate or offensive language or action does not need a civil rights organization or politically charged figure to resolve it. One does not have to be a person of color to be offended by racist speech or actions. Every person of color is not offended by the same words or actions. Some actions and speech, however, are offensive in any form or instance. The words of Sen. Buttars do not require the interpretation or amplification of a civil rights organization to be interpreted as offensive or inappropriate. We can apply connotative and denotative contextualization to what we see, hear and read without a press release from the NAACP.
There are other credible, experienced and well-respected community leaders such as The Rev. Dr. France Davis who can be invited to the table and help bring resolution to the matter at hand if this is what is needed. I find it difficult to believe that the Utah Senate cannot handle this matter and bring it to a conclusion. Ultimately the true verdict on Buttars' speech and subsequent actions or lack thereof can be revealed at the ballot box.
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* GRANTLEY MARTELLY resides in Murray.
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