News Sen. Ed Murray on Rev. Hutcherson.
posted by on January 28 at 19:36 PM
Re: Rev. Ken Hutcherson at Mount Si High School on MLK Day.
State Sen. Ed Murray (D-43, Capitol Hill) sent this letter:
Principal Randy Taylor Mt. Si High School 8651 Meadowbrook Way S.E. Snoqualmie, WA 98065Dear Mr. Taylor,
Today, every American is familiar with Dr. Martin Luther King’s great leadership in the fight for civil rights for African Americans.
However, Dr. King’s example was not simply limited to the tireless quest for equality. It was also found in the manner in which he treated his opponents, embracing them with respect and without vitriol – even while they denigrated and insulted him. When we honor Dr. Martin Luther King, we would do well to remember this, too.
One man’s own personal experience of racism, while certainly regrettable, is not enough to qualify him as a spokesperson of Dr. King’s values. To truly uphold Dr. King’s example, one must also uphold his humility and his fundamental objection to derogate those who disagreed with him.
Rev. Ken Hutcherson decidedly does not follow in these footsteps.
Here is a man who, in his battle against equal rights for gays and lesbians has said: “You know how the Bible says, ‘Turn the other cheek?’ Well, I did that. But I’m not giving them the big cheeks.” These kinds of degrading remarks about gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender citizens are simply obscene.
Here is a man who, after viewing the movie ‘The Passion of the Christ’ told a reporter that the Jews were responsible for killing Christ: “The truth is that they did push to have Christ crucified. That’s just plain truth… that’s Biblical truth.” This libel has resulted in the suffering and death of millions over twenty centuries of Western history.
Intolerance and contempt are objectionable enough. Using Christianity to support them – to use, in other words, the tools that Martin Luther King developed not to extent rights but to deny them – is a cynical order of magnitude worse.
History has taught us that we must speak out, and speak out vigorously, against these slanderous attacks. There are many leaders in the African American civil rights movement, including some who oppose my position of sexual orientation, who would have better represented the example of Martin Luther King.
As an agent of intolerance and contempt, Hutcherson should not have been invited to speak at your school’s Martin Luther King Day event. I have no doubt that he has very painful stories of the inequality he has experienced in his life. But his story today is about perpetuating inequality among gays, lesbians and Jews. And that cannot and should not be condoned.
A member of your staff thought as I do, and, at the end of Hutcherson’s remarks, respectfully questioned him about his commitment to the values of acceptance and respect as they apply to gays and lesbians. I was shocked to learn that you issued Hutcherson an apology as a result. This – and your subsequent “fact-finding” inquest into your staff’s actions – only adds insult to injury.
Although a minimal amount of circumspection alone might have helped you determine that inviting a known bigot to speak on Martin Luther King Day may have offended members of your student body, staff and faculty, I am heartened to know that you plan to examine your policies and standards related to speakers and presentations at your school.
However, to not disavow Hutcherson’s presentation at your school will continue to amount to an endorsement of his views and values – neither of which follow in the footsteps of Martin Luther King.
Sincerely,
Sen. Ed Murray
I had to look up the word “derogate,” but otherwise: as MLK Jr., John Lewis, Stokely C., Diane and the gang used to say: Make it plain Sen. Murray!
Man, I get tired. Really tired. You don't know what it's like for me watching you be jerkoffs all eay and all night.
I'm sure no one cares what it's like for you "You know who". But baby I feel your pain and I DO CARE, here take this little purin tablet, it will help ease the pain. And bravo Ed for the letter.
Man, I sure do hate that cynical order of magnitude.
Think he meant "refusal to denigrate" myself, but, hey, close enough is good enough, right?
How in the world did you get a copy of the letter, Mr. Feit?
Oh, come on Feit! So the man decided to give you a fair amount multi-syllables and a bit of elegant prose. I think a little elegance and class goes along way, son;t you?
or I guess I should say -don't you? (lol)
or I guess I should say -don't you? (lol)
Good stuff.
Way to school the Principal Ed!!! Every now and then, I am inspired by a politician. This is one of those moments.
yeah good stuff!
So I was reading the Bible and I came across that whole Curse of Ham thing and was wondering why Reverend Hutcherson isn't out picking cotton? Hey! Don't blame me. It's in the Bible, right along with all of Hutch's hate the gays and the Jews stuff.
Preach it, senator.
"Derogate" - come now - how hard is that? You got "denigrate"...at least I think you did. Oops! Guess I thought the bulk of writers at The Stranger have at least a BS in Journalism degree. Time to ask one of the 5-W questions: "What was I thinking?"
Can we get a media ban on hutcherson?
Way to go, Ed! Excellently put. Gotta love a politician with the vocabulary. It's a welcome change from the folksy, dumbed-down talk of many of our leaderz.
Well said, Ed! (And what's wrong with "derogate?" As in: to disparage or belittle? As in: derogatory? As in: it's eloquent, and a nice contrast to Hutcherson's crassness.)
You had to look up derogate? For God's sake, the etymology practically screams at the reader.
You went to fucking Hebrew day school. You should have finding roots drilled into your skull to a degree that even obscure ones should be obvious to you.
'extent'?
extend.
How embarrassing. He sent that to a school.
Otherwise - RIGHT ON!! Wonderful that he did send such a letter.
Way to represent, Ed! I especially like the part about how they could have found speakers who don't necessarily agree about gay stuff but don't beat people over the head with it. To quote Senator Obama: "We can disagree without being disagreeable."
The idiocracy of Hutch Hutcherson is a given.
The issue here is Principal Randy Taylor. What is this guy's story?
go to www.svsd410.org and check out the school board's update on the Mt Si MLK assembly story.
Am I missing something here?
Principal Randy Taylor is responsible for allowing a well known local bigot, Hutch Hutcherson, to speak at an event honoring Martin Luthor King. What are this Randy Taylor guy's issues? What is his affiliation with Hutch Hutcherson?
OK, next the document referred to at #23 (above) from the Snoqualmie Valley Public School Board of Directors states that they will be monitoring and SUPPORTING Principal Taylor and Superintendent Aune.
How depraved will Principal Taylor and Superintendent Aune have to behave before the board goes beyond "monitoring and SUPPORTING".
What is the affiliation between Hutch Hutcherson Taylor, Aune and the board????
Are we dealing with a coven of bigots and homophobes in the Snoqualmie Valley Public Schools?
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