The First Amendment establishes our right to free speech. This right guarantees that others may express ideas or opinions that we disagree with or even find offensive or threatening.
Statements by Clark County Council Chair Eileen Quiring provide a prime example of how the expression of these rights can result in public uproar. At a recent meeting, Quiring condemned racism but also stated that she did not believe that we have systemic racism in our county. Her comments have prompted some to call for her resignation.
A Columbian editorial (“In Our View: Quiring should recognize inaccuracy or resign,” June 30) calls for Quiring to either acknowledge that her comment was inaccurate or resign. I suspect that Quiring’s detractors would not accept a quickly issued apology as credible and would continue their call for resignation.
Is Quiring incapable of performing her public service duties as she reflects on her opinions? I suggest that she continue in her current role with its opportunities to interact with others in a mature and grace-filled manner about racial injustice issues. There is a better way to settle this matter than demanding a resignation. It’s called an election.
