Quintero’s fundraiser invite offends
Recently, Fresno City Councilmember Sal Quintero sent out an offensive fund-raising invitation for his run for Fresno County Board of Supervisors, District 3. On what he thought was a funny play on a baseball theme, he actually alienated women in Fresno County by using sexist language to solicit money. He equated contribution levels with the size of a donor’s body part.
Our language choices can have a subtle but troubling impact on how we think about different groups of people as a society. In 2016, when a woman is the front-runner to be the president of the United States, our elected officials should lead with more integrity and an eye for equity. We all need to hold decision makers accountable to conduct themselves in a respectful manner and call them out when relying on sexist tactics.
Quintero is stuck in the past and clearly doesn’t have the vision to create one healthy and equitable Fresno. My vote if for the candidate that values women and understands the contributions we make to our community. That’s not Quintero.
Sandra Celedon, Fresno
This story was originally published May 16, 2016 at 2:11 PM with the headline "Quintero’s fundraiser invite offends."