The New York Times forces the city of Wausau to virtue signal “A community for all”
Racism Score: 2.3
The city leaders of Wausau provided an excellent example how to make something out of nothing. They proved they will be bullied by meaningless national opinions.
They exhibited a weak spine incapable of standing up to outside pressure and told some of their citizens…we do not care what you think.
What should have been a local issue got hijacked by a propaganda machine. The mayor embarrassingly reacted to a national pundit rather than proceeding with community unity discourse.
At the heart of the public spectacle is a debate over a four-word diversity and inclusion label – “A community for all.” Seems harmless enough.
The root of the issue stemmed from a small number of city leaders brainstorming how they can show the world Wausau is anti-racist. With so many performative actions to choose from, they selected an all-inclusive proclamation to signal their virtue.
Obviously, with any debate, there are proponents and opponents. In this case if one is a proponent, their progressive virtue signaling legacy will remain intact, if one is an opponent, they will be labeled a far-right-wing racist, it is 2021 after all.
Heaven forbid each side engage in a deliberative, albeit difficult discussion to determine why the city should or should not have a new proclamation and find a middle ground.
Apparently, this dialogue has been going on for a year.
On the surface, why would anyone care about a “A community for all” proclamation? To oversimplify the manufactured conundrum, the reason is identity politics.
Citizens of Wausau who oppose the change believe this is the first step to critical race theory’s infamous oppressor/victim ideology.
Could it also be, some white people and Black people, and other races and ethnicities who are not all republicans are sick and tired of hearing diversity, equity, and inclusion from sunup to sundown in EVERY part of their life?
It is a valid question, and we have the complexion (BLACK) to ask the question.
Black Marathon County Board Supervisor and Wausau attorney, William Harris, a key proponent of the proclamation told PBS the following:
Now, some of the rhetoric from opponents has been that this is, i’ve heard critical race theory. None of that is in there. That is a national propaganda line. I heard “socialism” and “communism,” you know, in terms of referring to the word “equity,” and I believe the word “equity” came out before those words actually were even, you know, thought of, but none of that is in there [referring to the proclamation]. Really, if you look at the black and white, the actual resolutions, there’s no pathway to any of that, but it simply says is, you know, we, as a community, want to be diverse, inclusive, and welcoming to everyone. We recognize that there are people in our community that face certain disparities.
Harris believes Wausau is ripe for ideological change. He is trying to convince the 91% white conservative middle-class small town they are inherently racist, and minorities feel excluded, while providing generalized systemic racist talking points.
Perhaps if he provided specifics of the disparities and a clear plan with tangible milestones for improvement, residents may be more receptive.
We are not naïve to think they will blindly agree, however, it is better than essentially telling people “you’re racist”, and “the minorities in this city are suffering because of you.”
As an observer of the situation, city leadership has failed the community and all parties involved agree racial tensions are now worse.
National Storyline
Enter the Race Hustler Times, excuse us, the New York Times. The opinion piece parading as journalism by political reporter Reid Epstein is an intentional article to incite racial division.
As independents, moderates, and centrists, we can observe the key leftist racist talking points in Reid’s article.
- Blame Trump – check
- One-sided Black Lives Matter reference – check
- Unsubstantiated Wausau systemic racist accusations – check
- Overreliance on George Floyd emotions – check
- Equity, diversity, inclusion – check
Look at the following excerpt.
Society has been devoid of journalistic integrity for some time now, journalists exploit emotion, journalists write feelings instead of facts, and journalists fail to ask important questions while utilizing and maximizing lazy generalizations to paint their star-spangled racist narrative.
It is a shame.
Our opinion, if oppressed people of color and white saviors want to feel better about themselves with a proclamation, let them do it. If the proclamation comes at a price of creating division…reevaluate and talk it through.
The actions here were counterproductive, but at least the New York Times did there job reminding the world and insinuating one small towns disagreement is akin to the old Jim Crow south.
Congratulations to Wausau county, you have now solved your city’s racist problems with the proclamation!
Overtime Analysis
William Harris
Harris needs to expand here. Why do you feel like you are not a part of the community? Who has prevented people of color from contributing to the community? Why do you not feel like a part of the community? Did you need a slogan to tell you, you matter and you belong?
Good grief.
La’Tanya Campbell
Notice the trend? Racism is worse because of the performative virtue signaling actions. Actual racism or perceived racism does not get better when you incite it without a definitive plan.
A question that could have been asked. Have you always felt unsafe in Wausau being a Black woman? If so, why? Is there a disproportionate amount of violence directed towards Black woman?
Regarding discriminatory tactics when it comes to housing, we are left wondering what Campbell is talking about regarding the need to enlist white colleagues to help clients find apartments to rent.
We are genuinely not attempting to minimize Ms. Campbell’s experience. We are pointing out the dangerous reporting and lack of journalism from the New York Times.
The mayor should be embarrassed by reacting to the NY Times article. Instead of community decision, she reacted out of pure fear, which is poor leadership, but at least it keeps the woke mob at bay.
