EDITOR’S NOTE: Niagara County Legislator Carla Speranza read the following public statement during the legislature’s Tuesday business meeting.
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As the 2024 general election approaches on Tuesday November 5th and early voting commences in New York state on October 26th, legislators Christopher Robins, Jeffrey Elder and I politely remind you that while you are entitled by the 1st Amendment to free speech, please be considerate of the various audiences your message may reach. As adults, we can appreciate satire as much as anyone. We can decide for ourselves and exercise our rights to vote based on informed opinion, however, that’s not true for everyone.
Have you really thought about whose eyes may be seeing your yard sign, T-shirt, hat, button, bumper sticker or social media post? What message are you trying to send children as they walk to school, ride in cars or see you in line at the store wearing a shirt that says, “F (someone)!”? We see far too many messages displaying profanity, contempt, and even some that advocate violence against the opposition. We find it offensive and know our parents and grandparents wouldn’t approve.
You may believe strongly in a candidate, or an ideal, but do you have to disparage everyone else who doesn’t hold your view? Let’s not forget what we were taught about civil discourse, agreeing to disagree, and there is value in dissenting points of view. All of this does not have to come at the cost of alienation or violence. Please, can we at least agree that swearing and violence don’t jive with cultivating consensus or persuasion?
We have an opportunity to tone down the rhetoric and take the high road in the next few weeks. We strongly encourage people to respect the age appropriateness of political messages that you espouse.
Thank you for your time and consideration.