The Boulder Daily Camera asked all the candidates:
"Boulder police have reported several recent hate crimes in the city. Is there anything more the City Council can or should do to address this issue?"
Before I get into grading the answers, let me give my view on this issue as it impacts the grade. I think the most powerful step this community can take, and does take, is to make it clear that any hate crime is awful and in no way acceptable. This community reaction is the most powerful force against hate crimes.
So now, off the soapbox and on to the candidate answers - which by and large were all very good to excellent.
Matthew Applebaum A : Gives primacy to the community reaction being key and also to the balance between free speech and hateful speech.
Eric Bodenstab B : No discussion of ways to handle this other than the hot-line "that could prevent any further harm to members of our community". Eric - if they call the line there has been harm. But his instincts are good.
Philip J. Bradley F- : No answer? To this question. Philip has given up on running - ever.
Shawn Coleman A : An excellent answer that talks to how community reaction is key and also how fear and ignorance is a part of hate crimes. And it is a short, concise, and succinct answer too.
Angelique Espinoza A+ : Strong eloquent answer. And very brave for sharing the incident about her Grandfather. Having someone on council that understands this in her gut would be good.
Phil Hernandez A : Great answer and brings up the need to stop "hate humor" as well as the effects of alcohol and police response on reducing hate crimes. And speaks to the community reaction being key.
Kathryn Kramer B- : Kathryn starts with the effects of hate crimes and the awful case of the boy in Texas who committed suicide because of what was done to him. It's a good way to start. But she then takes us on a tour through history and the world. We then get stuff on the need to educate people and how we're all the same. I don't know about you but when I read about these bozos that beat someone up because of their skin color or orientation or whatever, I don't think they are just like me. And I don't think that they are going to read an article in the Daily Camera about anything except a sale at Liquor Mart.
Alan O'Hashi B+ : Alan speaks solely to making the city employees more culturally aware. Definitely a good idea (and hiring a more diverse workforce would help too). But nothing about affecting the community or it's key role in addressing this.
Eugene Pearson B+ : I applaud Eugene's passion and the fact that he also understands it in his gut. But his entire answer revolves around passing laws and police response. Nothing on community action.
Susan K. Peterson B+ : Good idea on looking at the data (although with 4 - 5 incidents/year it's hard to determine trends). And she does talk to watching how things go and adjusting as needed (always a good idea) as well as educating the community.
Tom Riley B- : Really good thoughts on restorative justice. But nothing about the key role of the community.
John Welsh F : Gee John - nothing? Not even the council registering it's disgust with some slime-oid that hurts someone? Well at least you're being honest.
Ken Wilson A+ : Speaks to how hate crimes diminish us all (very good point) and in two sentences does a superb job of discussing all the key ways community is important. And he then dives in to some real good specific ideas to reduce the problem.
Frank D. Zoldak B- : On the one hand, it's a great general answer touching on all the key points from community to determining what the problem is and how best to handle it. On the other hand, it's a very general answer - no specifics. I take that as he has his heart in the right place but no real knowledge of the issue.
Tearing in to people is not fun and so this was a nice one to discuss. Aside from Philip Bradley and John Welsh everyone had good thoughtful answers. And between all of the answers are a number of very good ideas. To the 12 of you - thank you.
