It is clear minorities are being targeted

Archived Opinion

It is clear minorities are being targeted

To the Editor:

I must say, in light of recent events (read: July incidents at the Rec Center and subsequent town official meetings, Town Council Candidate Peggy Hannah’s display of disdain towards the LGBTQ+ community by ripping up and stomping on a queer-identifying town councilman’s photo at a Team Waynesville event held at Furman’s Burger Bar on Aug. 19, etc.), it has become quite clear that those within a minority group are being targeted.

What’s more interesting is the fact that Waynesville is allowing one Stephanie Sutton to run for a town council seat while she has made it clear where she stands on marginalized groups and the voices of her opponents. This is in reference to her participation in the Jan. 6, 2021, march and insurrection on the Capitol.

Stephanie has stated in the comments of a Facebook post on Sept. 6, 2023, that “presence doesn’t equal participation,” but if that were true, someone who was simply on the same street as a Pride event would be assumed to be a part of the event. Even if she was several hundred yards away from the Capitol, like she claims, participating in the march itself implicates her in other possible participation in the insurrection. It means that she stands behind the lies that have been perpetuated by far-right media: that the 2020 election was stolen from Donald Trump, and that she has no faith in democracy.

If she chose to partake in such a dark part of our nation’s recent history, what will happen when she loses this election? What trouble will she and her supporters stir up for those elected? These are questions that run through my mind daily, as I fear the worst for those in the marginalized communities of Waynesville and broader Haywood County.