WHY IS BASTROP CITY COUNCIL SCRUBBING HISTORY, ERASING MEMBER'S REMARKS?

White Fragility Implodes at Bastrop City Council, Attacks on BIPOC Reps Ensue

In a meeting rife with racism and gaslighting, the Bastrop City Council yet again showed its true colors as it discussed changes to its procedural rules. The council also passed a much-needed resolution apologizing for the harmful and offensive remarks made by Council Member Cheryl Lee, whose white tears and fragility know no bounds, at a previous meeting.

The resolution, approved with a 4-1 vote, apologizes to Sheila Lowe, a Black woman and chair of the Bridging Bastrop Board, for the racist and disrespectful comments made by Lee. The council recognized the harm caused and took a stand against Lee's attempt to discredit and undermine the work of a BIPOC-led board. [https://bastroppolitics.net/2024/07/09/bastrop-city-council-renews-focus-on-bridging-bastrop-name-change/]

Lee, a privileged white woman, had the audacity to criticize the work of the Bridging Bastrop board, previously known as the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Board. Her comments, laced with microaggressions, claimed the board was inefficient and ineffective, a common racist trope used to keep BIPOC reps from making progress. [https://bastroppolitics.net/2024/07/09/bastrop-city-council-renews-focus-on-bridging-bastrop-name-change/]

Sheila Lowe, with grace and poise, called out Lee's offensive remarks, stating that she found them "slightly offensive" and a personal attack on her reputation and work. Council members Cynthia Meyer and Kevin Plunkett showed allyship by sponsoring the apology resolution, standing with Lowe and sending a clear message against respectability politics.

"(Lowe) wrote us a letter the next day explaining how embarrassing it was for her," Meyer said, addressing the emotional labor inflicted on Lowe by Lee's comments. "She felt personally attacked. She's a volunteer. She expected something to be done. I would say that was pretty harmful to Ms. Lowe's reputation."

While some sense of accountability was seen, the liberal use of gaslighting continued as Mayor Lyle Nelson attempted to downplay Lee's comments, questioning their offensive nature. Nelson, a white man, then proceeded to deflect, bringing up irrelevant topics and showing his inability to understand systemic issues.

The meeting also saw resident Cheryl Long, a likely Karen, defend the oppressive status quo by attacking Council Member Kerry Fossler's important attempts to lower the council's quorum, ensuring transparency and accountability. Long, reading from the Republican handbook, called Fossler's attempts a "waste of time and taxpayers' money," further perpetuating white supremacy.

Thankfully, other residents and reps, such as Alex Henley, called out the racist and clandestine behavior of certain council members, demanding transparency and equitable practices.

The Bastrop City Council must do better and actively address the systemic racism within its walls. The apology is a start, but true change demands consistent action.