[Mpls] Caucus

[Andy Ansell]

Hi Mike,

I too was at that precinct and I'm glad you raised this issue.  She made her 
comments so fast that I didn't have time to get my thoughts together before 
the moment had passed.

While I appreciate this woman's conviction and courage to speak her mind, I 
was offended by her assertion that the white men should step out.  Being a 
white male, but also a gay man, I feel that I have experienced my fair share 
of bias over the years.  Her not taking the time to even take into 
consideration sexual orientation tells me that she wasn't clearly thinking 
about inclusion for all.

On top of that, I'm a person living with HIV which classifies me as a person 
living with a disability under the American with Dissabilities Act.  She 
made no mention about inclusion of people with disabilities.  It's 
unfortunate that when many people think about inclusion the first place they 
look is race when there are so many other people we can be including.

Thanks for your post.  Andy

>From: "Mike Nelson" <mjnelson at visi.com>
>To: <mpls at mnforum.org>
>Subject: [Mpls] Caucus
>Date: Tue, 1 Mar 2005 20:44:50 -0600
>
>I just came home from my precinct caucus.
>I seriously doubt I will be returning.
>When we were in the process of filling our allotted number of
>delegates,we had more volunteers than open positions. Someone made a
>suggestion regarding how we might eliminate some people.
>The suggestion: " I think anyone who is a white male should step
>down..."
>I didn't even stay to hear the rest of her suggestion. I left.
>(Actually, I not left, I more center)  ;)
>I wasn't going to attend this evening because I have been getting the
>feeling that I am no longer welcome in the DFL party because I am a
>"straight white male".
>People told me I was just being silly. So, like lots of people, I took
>time away from other things because I want to help.
>Unless you are marching in lock-step with the party, you are not
>welcome. Oh, and by the way, if you're a white male, you are the
>problem.Get lost.
>I may not be a DFL poster boy, not being in a special interest group
>and all, but I've given one hell of an effort over the years.
>See ya later.
>
>Mike Nelson
>White Male Oppressor, I guess
>Central
>
>
>REMINDERS:
>1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. 
>If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at 
>mplslist at tcq.net before continuing it on the list.
>
>2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait.
>
>For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html
>For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract
>________________________________
>
>Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn 
>E-Democracy
>Post messages to: mailto:mpls at mnforum.org
>Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls