Central’s Image on the Line

Editor, Central City News

Editor, Central Speaks

    In last week’s Central City News, the Editor chose to print a letter which has generated quite a bit of discussion around Central.  For reasons I will explain later, I am sending this, my own “Letter To The Editor” to both Central papers, recounting my request for information about the original letter and the CCN Editor’s explanation for printing it.  The exchange was copied to City and school officials in Central and Zachary (making it public record) and to the contractor mentioned in the letter.  Here is my request:

    Mr. Jenkins: I am writing in response to Mr. Andy Ash’s Letter to the Editor you published in the September 27th Central City News, under your headline: “Our Tax Dollars Fund Illegals.” I am copying my response to people whom I think should be aware of the letter.  In case any of them have not seen it, it can be seen at the link http://www.centralcitynews.net/ (page 3), and for convenience, here is the text:

 

Letter to the Editor: Our Tax Dollars Fund Illegals

Editor, Central City News:

    A month or so back, I was driving through Zachary and noticed a crew of workers working on what I believe was the sewer system. The entire construction crew was Mexican, most probably illegals.

    A couple of weeks ago, I made a trip to Old River. A large construction crew was working on the Morganza Spillway Structure. Every person on the work crew was Mexican, most likely illegals.

    Then last week, I was leaving Jackson Park subdivision in Central and there was a crew of workers working at Sullivan and Gurney roads. All the workers were Mexican, most likely illegals.

    What in the HE Double L is going on? Americans are out of work and the federal and local governments are hiring illegals to do the work in this country. Why is this happening in Central?

    Who in the Central school system, which authorized the work at Sullivan and Gurney, allowed this to take place? I am one citizen who is fed up with people at any level of government who do not understand what the word “illegal” means.

    I don’t care to hear that it was a sub-contractor who hired these illegals to work on our streets. All contracts with our government should demand that only U.S. citizens be employed to do the work. It’s time to stop employing these illegals and start employing U.S citizens!

—Andy Ash, City of Central

 

My initial inquiry to the CCN Editor: 

    To paraphrase Mr. Ash, why in the HE [whatever] would you choose to publish this? What evidence does Mr. Ash present that the workers in question are illegal (or even Mexican) other than their appearance as he drives by? What if someone wrote a letter asking why the police allow (insert any ethnic group here) to drive in Central, because they are “most probably” or “likely” looking for something to steal?

    Granted, your efficiency is impressive – by choosing to publish this short letter and writing its headline, your editorial decision manages to insult the City of Zachary, the City of Central, law-abiding contractors, Mexicans, people who might look Mexican, the Central school system, taxpayers, responsible journalists, and (by association with you) Republicans, the new Chamber of GBR, and your sponsors. Also, more personally to me, it affects all of the people who have worked for many years to support, encourage, and improve a positive image of Central.

    If you want to make some sort of point about illegal immigration, I’m sure you would be able to find a more rational, better documented, and less inflammatory method than this. Mr. Ash is certainly entitled to his opinion. However, you decide what goes in your paper, and you chose to print the letter, which in my own opinion is racist, offensive, defamatory, accusatory, speculative, presumptuous, untenable, irrational, ignorant, harmful, and probably libelous.

    Why would you do this? Along with myself, I’m sure there are many who will be very interested to hear your explanation, and I look forward to your reply.

Sincerely, Jon Simmons, Central

 

Mr. Jenkins’ reply:

    Dear Jon, Thank you for your letter.  I thought Mr. Ash's letter was very good and made a good point.

    I don't think I need to defend the opinion of every letter-writer, but in this case I will mention this: I have many long years of working in Latin America and speak Spanish.  Whenever possible, I stop and speak with construction workers who appear to be Latin.  I ask where they are from, their home town, how they got here and how long they are staying.  Often I ask to take their photo for the paper.  They open up to me and in almost every case they have told me they are here illegally.  They almost never want their photos in the paper.

    Based on my personal knowledge, Mr. Ash's letter is not in any way an exaggeration but a simple statement of fact.  Does that mean everybody in every crew is illegal?  Of course not, but he didn't say that.

    Americans should be concerned because their jobs are being taken by illegals.  And these are jobs Americans want and need.

Yours, Woody Jenkins, Editor, Central City News

 

My response:

    You may not feel the need to defend every letter-writer, but you should take responsibility for the ones you choose to print.   From your reply: “Does that mean everybody in every crew is illegal?  Of course not, but he didn't say that.”

    He didn’t?  We can argue semantics or exact phrasing forever, but here’s what the letter said:

“The entire construction crew was Mexican, most probably illegals.”

“All the workers were Mexican, most likely illegals.”

“Every person on the work crew was Mexican, most likely illegals.”

    How can you call any of this a “simple statement of fact”?  What personal knowledge (specific and factual) do you (or Mr. Ash) have of these particular work crews?  Have you contacted the contractor to examine their e-verify records?  (The procedure that contractors have to go through to verify the status of their employees is extensive, and probably is public record.)

    Do you (or Mr. Ash) know that these people are Mexican, or Honduran, or Cuban, or is it enough that they “look illegal”?  No one is saying that illegal immigration is not a problem, but who appointed you judge, jury, and INS?  How can you justify printing a letter explicitly accusing businesses, municipalities and the school system of illegal activities, with no proof?  If you truly believe this, file a formal complaint with the proper authorities.  If it’s factual, print it as an article instead of as another person’s opinion.  If this letter were printed about our construction company you would be hearing from our attorney.

    Come on, Woody.  You know better than this.  This is indefensible.

Thank you for the reply, anyway.

Jon

 

    We had no more exchanges other than Mr. Jenkins’ statement that he had already explained his position; I agreed that he had done so quite clearly.

    My reason for writing this letter is to bring attention to what, in my opinion, is the potential effect to Central of choosing to print such a letter.  Of course Mr. Ash has the precious right of freedom of speech.  Our tax dollars should be spent wisely and legally.  And there is no question that illegal immigration is a controversial and problematic issue that warrants serious debate.  However, I question the wisdom and relevance of choosing this particular letter (emphasized by the Editor’s headline) to express a view apparently shared by both Mr. Ash and Mr. Jenkins: that a person’s appearance or perceived nationality is sufficient evidence to accuse them or a business, municipality or other entity of breaking the law.  By any reasonable standard, this is stereotyping at its worst, and irresponsible editorializing at best.  There is ample empirical and credible evidence available to start a rational discussion on immigration, without resorting to such tactics.

    But beyond that, I believe the editor’s choice was made without consideration for its effect on the image of the community that supports his newspaper.  As someone who has been involved in the long-term effort to improve Central’s schools and community, I have experienced firsthand many years of opposition to Central and criticism of our motives, often based on unfounded or outdated stereotypes of racial intolerance and prejudice.  I am not naïve enough to claim that such attitudes no longer exist in Central, or anywhere else. However, when a Central-oriented publication that is seen by many to be representative of the community chooses to provide a golden opportunity for critics to renew or reinforce their negative views, it is irresponsible and should not go unchallenged.  Accountability should be shared among the media, the government, businesses, and the community they serve. I have heard from many others, including City and school officials who share this opinion and strongly disagree with this particular editorial viewpoint, and I believe they should respond publicly.

    I am also very much aware of the political divisions that exist in Central, largely centered around respective supporters of the two local newspapers, although thankfully many people still consider all available information and make up their own minds.  Some may say that my position is directed at Central City News exclusively and question my motivation, but had the same letter been printed in Central Speaks I would have reacted the same way.

    For me, this issue is not about Mr. Ash’s views, or immigration policies, or Woody versus Dave; it transcends the normal political arena and affects everyone in Central.  In my opinion, it’s about considering the effect of your words on others around you, whether in a newspaper, internet discussion, or personal conversation.  We must exercise our freedom of speech and stand up for what we believe, but doing so will be most effective if it is tempered with civility and strengthened with responsibility.

Sincerely,

Jon Simmons, Central