July 7, 2015 - 16:12 — Timothy Gillespie
Town has "more important" issues to deal with
Plans for a controversial "redneck" competition at the venerable "Founders' Days celebration in July remain in place after a special meeting Monday of the Town Council's Anti-discrimination and Racism Committee.
Endorsement
Despite vocal objections by several of the Committee members and almost all of the citizens speaking at the meeting, Town officials expressed their endorsement of the event, which appears to glorify the antics of "rednecks", as expressed in the wildly popular Duck Dynasty television reality show. (see previous story)
Despite vocal objections by several of the Committee members and almost all of the citizens speaking at the meeting, Town officials expressed their endorsement of the event, which appears to glorify the antics of "rednecks", as expressed in the wildly popular Duck Dynasty television reality show. (see previous story)
Josh Brown, a onetime candidate for Town council and active youth sports volunteer has been a vocal critic of the "redneck" event and pushed to have the special meeting of the Committee held to discuss the matter. "Discriminating against anyone in 2015 is not cool - no matter the genesis of the event, it is insensitive and backwards to label and promote a redneck event," Brown said recently on the Shelburne Says Facebook site. " If you want to have an event celebrating all that we love to do in Shelburne, have a "Shelburne county games. Founders' Days is supposed to celebrate our history, and with such a rich untapped history to expand on (shipbuilding for example or the black loyalists ) and celebrate, lets keep the focus there."
Brown made a considerate and intelligent presentation to the Committee, outlining the reasons he thought the event was inappropriate. During the challenging questions and comments - some bordering on rude - Brown kept his cool and answered each query calmly and reflectively.
Bad timing on complaints?
Committee chair and Shelburne mayor Karen Mattatall appeared defensive and combative during the 90-minute meeting and suggested that, if the "redneck" event was canceled because it did not reflect the stated goals of Founders' Days, then bouncy castles, music and other events should be canceled also.
Committee chair and Shelburne mayor Karen Mattatall appeared defensive and combative during the 90-minute meeting and suggested that, if the "redneck" event was canceled because it did not reflect the stated goals of Founders' Days, then bouncy castles, music and other events should be canceled also.
Chief administrative officer Dylan Heide and deputy mayor Elizabeth Rhuland took offense at Brown bringing his concerns to the Committee at what was described as "the last minute." "Josh should have contacted the Town sooner," Rhuland testified.
Brown explained that he contacted the Town as soon as he saw the event published in the brochure for Founder's Days, but failed to reach a number of Town staffers, despite several calls.
Heide asserted that Town staff had been having regular meetings about the event and that Brown had "created an artificial time-sensitivity" about the matter. Tourism coordinator Eyra Abraham told SCT that there have been meetings at least once a month in 2015.
Committee members who did not represent the Town were generally opposed to having the event continue. Louise Delisle said that, as a black person, she knew "what racism is in this community," and felt the thrust of the "redneck" ideal was racist in its nature. RCMP constable Kirk Naye said he found the term "redneck" offensive. Janet O'Connell said that she had several problems with the event, including its connection to Duck Dynasty and its "redneck" flavour, among others.
Mark Hartley, who is black, said that he identified as a redneck and felt that the anti-redneck sentiments expressed at the meeting discriminated against him.
A matter of lifestyle?
Deputy mayor Rhuland said she had not been aware of the event last year, but that the "redneck" identity was merely a matter of lifestyle. "We need to be careful about not being prejudiced against a lifestyle," she told the group.
Deputy mayor Rhuland said she had not been aware of the event last year, but that the "redneck" identity was merely a matter of lifestyle. "We need to be careful about not being prejudiced against a lifestyle," she told the group.
Rhuland also opined that "the Town has enough really difficult issues," not to have to deal with the "redneck" matter.
Town officials oppose altering redneck event
A majority of the Committee voted to recommend to the Town Council that the event be changed into one without the elements of "redneck", "Duck Dynasty" and other "offensive aspects." Mayor Mattatall and deputy mayor Rhuland opposed that motion. It was moved that the Committee's motion come to Council on July 15
A majority of the Committee voted to recommend to the Town Council that the event be changed into one without the elements of "redneck", "Duck Dynasty" and other "offensive aspects." Mayor Mattatall and deputy mayor Rhuland opposed that motion. It was moved that the Committee's motion come to Council on July 15
Several citizens addressed the Committee at the meeting's close. Local businessmen Ed Cayer told the Committee the entire meeting "made my stomach churn." Cayer asked the Committee whether they had given any consideration as to the effect of the event on Shelburne's reputation and what possible connection the "redneck event" had to the stated principles of Founders' Days. Neither question received an answer.
Town staff working to damage reputation
This correspondent said that, because Founders' Days is now wholly a Town-sponsored event, and because there can be no question that, worldwide, "redneck" has a predominately negative connotation, infused with bigotry and racism, that the promotion of a "redneck" ideal amounted to Town staff and funds actively working to damage the Town's reputation to the outside world.
This correspondent said that, because Founders' Days is now wholly a Town-sponsored event, and because there can be no question that, worldwide, "redneck" has a predominately negative connotation, infused with bigotry and racism, that the promotion of a "redneck" ideal amounted to Town staff and funds actively working to damage the Town's reputation to the outside world.
"It is crazy that, after celebrating the opening of the Black Loyalist Heritage Centre - one of Canada's premier cultural institutions - the Town proceeds to celebrate and glorify a destructive, dangerous and obnoxious ethos."
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