via Wikimedia
Leaked text messages recently revealed how Lewiston, Maine’s former mayor, Republican Shane Bouchard, called older Black people “antique farm equipment.”
His racist and ageist remarks are problematic for a number of reasons, obviously.
One of the more problematic reasons is that this line of thinking isn’t far off from the way slave masters regarded their enslaved “chattel,” treating our ancestors as the “antique farm equipment” Bouchard described.
It’s disturbing to know a government official today - tasked with the responsibility of fairly protecting all citizens - is spewing the same sentiment of racist slave masters.
While Bouchard is gung-ho that, in his own words, “I say stupid things and stupid jokes occasionally,” this is no laughing matter.
To be in a position of power and casually text, as Bouchard did while in office, “[I’m going to] my clan meeting. I mean my GOP meeting,” lets us know he really doesn’t care about the safety of Black people. The KKK and GOP have historically been close allies.
Having politicians like Shane Bouchard in office is a detriment to our wellbeing. Thank goodness he resigned. We say, “Good riddance!” And good riddance to any others who have similar racist “jokes!”