The city of Española and its inhabitants don’t really need defending from a remark made by Taylor Locker, who was the Republican party’s vice chairman for the 1st Congressional District. We’re a little different here and it draws criticism in all forms for various reasons.
Locker said during a radio talk show, “We kind of think of Cleveland when we’re down in the Columbus, Cinicnnati, Dayton area like you think of Española. You gotta keep that fenced off, make sure they don’t populate with the rest of the state.”
Two things must be considered immediately. First, it’s a radio talk show. They are, by definition largely hosted by, listened to and participated in by people who want to share their mostly uneducated opinions, which will immediately be agreed with, thereby validating their incorrect belief, regardless of whether it is researched, factual or pertinent.
Second, the guy didn’t have the education nor verbal skills to more accurately state we should not be allowed to breed with the rest of the state. You can’t populate with anyone. So consider the source.
The “sticks and stones” adage applies here. How about we not play into Locker’s and his radio host’s hands and act like the people they claim we are? Let’s be better than that.
What if we take the higher road and ignore ignorant remarks made by someone who is clearly not familiar with Española, nor its denizens.?
Predictably, Mayor Javier Sanchez responded with a statement and went on the defensive with the big city dailies. He’s the mayor. That’s his job.
We were disappointed when people started emailing and even stopping in the office requesting we do something about Locker’s remarks. We’re not sure exactly what they want done.
The best revenge is living long and well. That really irks an ex-spouse. Let’s do that.
We suggest some of these Españolan’s who are so hurt spend some time volunteering, helping with the litter problem, support an Española event just by showing up or choose their own way to make Española a better place to live.
We have plenty to be proud of in the Valley.
Moving Arts Española just celebrated three great women and an expansion to their already very successful program for youth. Co-founder Roger Montoya also was instrumental in starting Pathways Shelter, which is finding its feet and helping people in so many ways.
He’s a CNN hero.
Northern New Mexico College is on an astronomical trajectory the likes of which has not been seen since its inception. The curriculum, quality, staff, leadership and staggering innovation should be duplicated by every organization whose mission would benefit.
The Española Humane Society and animal shelter have overcome substantial odds during the pandemic to perform thousands of spays and neuters, find homes for abandoned animals and support a successful foster program.
A McCurdy High School alum helped get Chimayó chile genetically married to Hatch chile and shot into space. The seeds now reside on the International Space Station now, waiting to be planted.
We have arts aplenty. The Española Public Library maintained a “to go” arts packet for children to take home and create art projects all through the pandemic closures.
Gabriella Silva heads the Northern New Mexico Regional Art Center. She has continual classes for seniors, youth, children under 5 and the challenged. The shows in the Misión y Convento are high caliber, well-planned and executed.
Love us or hate us, you have the best weekly newspaper in the state. We’re not pretty, don’t win many contests, but we do a great job reporting and writing news and receive national attention regularly.
We could continue. The list is long. We have plenty to be proud of and we also have a lot of work to do. So let’s not react like a six-year-olds on the playground every time an ignorant person says something stupid about Española. It’s going to happen again.
Instead, let’s get to work making the community better and take away the arrows of our naysayers’ quiver.