Common Sense

The saga continues. McLennan County Commissioner Lester Gibson has threatened to sue to get the unanimously adopted resolution apologizing for the lynchings of the past put up next to a depiction of Waco’s old hanging tree in a mural in the courthouse rotunda.

“That is certainly an option,” Gibson said after Tuesday’s commissioners’ meeting. “If they keep on being silent, indifferent and insensitive, that might be where we go with it. This is a serious matter to me and other folks in regard to that symbol.”

The symbol Gibson refers to is a hanging tree and noose that the late artist Ruth Smith painted in murals she donated to the county in 1970 that depict many scenes from Waco’s past.

Most of the members have remained silent, except for Ray Meadows, who is possibly the world’s largest gaping asshole. Seriously, that guy is a total prick.

Only Precinct 4 Commissioner Ray Meadows sparred with Gibson. Meadows said he would continue to vote against displaying the resolution. As their debate escalated, Meadows asked Lewis if the court could conduct future noose discussions originated by Gibson at the end of their meetings “so I can excuse myself, because you know how I feel.”

The resolution was a step in the right direction, but that was not the end. For those who write letters to the editor in to the Trib complaining that there is no problem, or like Commissioner Mashek who just want to drop it, you should take the passion of Commissioner Gibson to heart. Obviously it is not over or he wouldn’t feel so strongly about this issue. And he’s not the only one.

Being silent isn’t a solution. You were elected to be the voice of the people. The people are passionate but you won’t speak. At least Commissioner Meadows is voicing his opinions out, speaking the words he thinks need speaking. I think those are the wrong words and I think many people in the county would disagree with him, but at least we can debate him on it.

If you can’t stand up and speak, then you need to step down and get out of the way of those ready to represent the people. Bunch of snivelling, whiny babies the whole lot of you.

This community has had a wound that has not healed for quite some time. We can either face it together and turn the shame we all feel into a positive action, or we can run and hide and try to pretend it never happened.