By Helen Sabin, Corvallis
A high school group wants to paint a Hamilton Crosswalk in the colors of the “Trans Flag” presenting LGBTQ individuals while adding in black and brown colors representing the skin color of some students. “The project is all about inclusion,” said their spokesperson. However, it seems that the group actually is “exclusionary,” and seeking confirmation for their sexual preferences and skin color. Talk about exclusionary?
The students who desire this “exclusionary” crosswalk are engaging in discrimination against straight students and those students who are not black and brown. This group is showing a desire to be “separate,” and yet they are outraged when others think they are different from the “normal” population.
Further, they desire to be supremacists!They want their own crosswalk. What have they done for the USA, for the Bitterroot Valley or anyone that we should recognize them as “special” and with a “crosswalk?”
Also, aren’t they being racists? They ignore all the other races and skin colors in the valley as not being worthy of having a “color,” to be added to the crosswalk?
In addition, they are engaging in cultural appropriation. Shame on them! Stealing ideas, speeches, etc. is something Joe Biden does, and these children should not follow his example nor be allowed to do so. The “made-up” flag for Trannies is apparently pink, white, and light blue. That’s cultural appropriation. Little boys had the color blue to identify them as “male” while “pink” was for female” since around the 1940’s, but white was the color choice for both until that time. Both sexes wore white gowns for clothing when they were babies. Further, brides had the color white for hundreds of years and white was the color of surrender on a flag. Who said Trannies could steal those colors for themselves? And while we are at it – who said the colors of the rainbow are for Gays? Thus, the LGBTQ crowd appropriated “colors” that were not “theirs.”
And why a flag? That also is stealing a cultural item. Who says LGBTQ should have a flag showing that they have sex with only another (or many) of their supposed 99 “genders?” Why should we celebrate their sexual habits? That is best kept in the bedroom or back seat of cars. You don’t see “Straights, Native Americans, Italians, Polish, Greeks, etc.” flying flags of colors or demanding crosswalks to celebrate their sexual activity – thank goodness!
And what about that skin color issue this LGBTQ group wants to highlight: blacks and browns. Humans come in a variety of colors due to genetics. Why should there be a crosswalk just for blacks and browns? And what is black and brown anyway? What about the skin color of Native Americans? Or Asians? Or the Ainu and Fugates? Or Whites? And black would be a waste on streets anyway as they are black. (The group didn’t think that idea through too well, did they?)
Here in the USA, the only flag that should be honored is the RED WHITE AND BLUE! The only painting on crosswalks should be white to show where to walk. And the only “separatism” that should exist is criminals being locked away from law-abiding Americans no matter their sexual preference, their skin color or whatever.
IF… we want to honor special people with a crosswalk, let’s start with the 525 Dead Individuals who built and who fought for this Valley and this country since 1848 and are buried at the Corvallis Cemetery. Names such as Chavez, Popham, Hill, Chaffin, Hull, Severns, Summers, Nordheim, Donaldson, Gardner, and Su Vang just to name of few of these heroes who are the ones that should be honored with a crosswalk, not high schoolers who choose to be different and noticed with a crosswalk or for having skin color that is black and brown.
High schoolers are a great bunch of kids and when they do something of achievement or show exceptional character then we can honor them also, but to honor them with a crosswalk of color just for their sexual preference and skin color is not something that should be condoned in this valley.
To this group, I suggest the following – Earn your pride! Go do something that can be admired, is of value to this valley and all in it and then come back and ask for that crosswalk. How about cleaning up the streets? Getting trash out of the streams and rivers? Painting houses or helping repair those that are in desperate need of that care? Helping seniors with their projects? Tutoring younger students who are struggling? Getting your own grades high enough to earn scholarships? Driving veterans and seniors or those who need help getting around to medical appointments for example. Come up with ideas and propose those to the City Council, then follow through. I would applaud you for that effort and take PRIDE in you and your achievements. So could you.
David Welch says
Ms. Sabin,
Why do you so easily dismiss the kids’ stated goal of inclusion? Are you doing this on purpose so you can put the kids into a box you’ve created to fit your preconceived negative narrative about the LGBTQ community?
I would rather believe that you are just coming from a place of ignorance. You don’t know firsthand what obstacles they face daily, do you? ( Particularly living in a ‘conservative’ part of the world. ) You’ve never dealt with a child attempting – or succeeding in! – a suicide, have you?
I genuinely hope this is the case. And that your heart really isn’t as cold as it seems in your LTE.
Helen Sabin says
David – Please go back and re-read my letter to the editor. The different reasons I listed are self-explanatory and are not negative at all. That is YOUR negative view operating based on emotion.
My reasoning is common-sense, factual, and NOT EMOTIONAL, responses to the idea LGBTQ crosswalk and is based on years of working with children having all kinds of problems.
It is also based on having friends/family with children and parents too who have tried… and unfortunately some succeeded…. in committing suicide. Yes, I do know how awful that feeling is – the loss is incredible.
IF you faced this suicide situation with a child, we sympathize with you as nothing is worse for parents to face than this situation. There is nothing more horrible than for a parent to bury their child or for a child to bury his parent who committed suicide as many military members do today.
But please…. do NOT try to put YOUR and YOUR child’s problem onto the community. It is NOT our responsibility. It is YOURS and your child and the children who are gay at the high school who must deal with it – not the community at large. Why not get the parents and children together and discuss solutions to the problem of being LGBTQ and how to intermingle successfully with the population at large?
IF…bullying at school is a problem, go talk to the principal about the issue. One school with whom I worked, set up a group of kids who were”influencers” and they got together to be a “Committee of Understanding.” When told about being bullied, they went to that child or children who did the bullying and talked to them. This literally stopped all bullying in the school..
Further David, consider that the most important issue of NOT HAVING A CROSSWALK is one of SAFETY! Having colors and designs on city streets is a horrible distraction to drivers. Consider how many visual “inputs” drivers have to negotiate when driving. Drivers must pay attention to stop signs, speed signs, crosswalks, people crossing, children riding bikes, red and green lights, and careless or distracted drivers, just to name a few “inputs” that a mind must sort through when driving. One more “distraction” is NOT what drivers need. Further, it is against Montana law from what I have read and researched.
If the children want to be recognized, then why not make their actions represent something of value to the community? . For example, how about planting a community garden and a bed of flowers whose blooms could signify their LGBTQ lifestyles and skin colors? This garden could include all the colors the children desire. The vegetables/flowers that are grown can be donated to food banks, senior centers, and families who need fresh vegetables and some beauty in their lives. Sponsors will come forward for such a loving project. Children could certainly take pride in such a project and have whatever colors they desire to represent their lifestyles and beliefs.
I look forward to seeing your thinking as to WHY there should be such crosswalks…please explain WHY please.
David Welch says
I am sorry to say I was wrong. You have convinced me that you do have a very cold heart. I hope it somehow provides you comfort.
Helen Sabin says
Again David – I really don’t care what you think as YOU are trying to put YOUR problems onto me and the community at large. Handle it yourself. Man up and do something about your grief, and your problems. Stop playing the victim. DEAL with your troubles and develop a new perspective – you will find that life is good if you let it be.