Proposed commission poses threat

By: Stephen Driggs | Fluvanna County
Published: February 09, 2012

Regarding the proposed Charlottesville Commission on Human Rights, Diversity and Race Relations:

Once again, we’re asked to accept an organization, commission or government body that insists on driving a wedge between citizens, creating the resentment, anger and distrust that it proclaims to detest.

But this is much more than that. This is creepy! This is thought police! This is fascism!

This is not an issue of left vs. right, liberal vs. conservative or even large government vs. limited government, so just forget your team for a moment and realize that this is far beyond the slippery slope.

The idea that you would give anyone the position and authority to hold hearings and impose penalties based on perceived thought is fundamentally wrong for free people. This fact does not change regardless of how backers attempt to “soothe your concerns” over this proposed commission.

I realize that there are very real issues of discrimination. I realize that my ancestors had generations to build me, a 36-year-old white male, a better foundation than they themselves had. And yet a short time ago when my father was in his late teens, there were places in this country where a black man could not drink out of a white water fountain. I understand it’s not a level field.

If the city of Charlottesville wants a commission for “outreach and education efforts,” go for it. Set up a free Facebook page and post events of goodwill that all can volunteer for. Build a gazebo at the Hospice House, organize a food drive or build a community playground. Afterward, sit around together and order some pizza. Things like this will bring people together. Finding discrimination whether or not it actually exists in a particular place will only serve to drive people apart.

Imposing guilt upon a good person who needed to make an honest, legal decision is despicable. Basing that guilt on what one man determines is in the heart and mind of another man is very dangerous for all of us, and no one has the right to do so.

No matter where you stand on politics or social issues, please wake up and oppose this.