'A Human Foible?' Salt Lake City Councilman Apologizes for Right-Wing Screed
They sounded like punch lines from some Trumpish stand-up comic, and they have come back to bite a Salt Lake City councilman in the rear.
Last week a Salt Lake City councilman David Alvord claimed the Left would not be happy until "we each have light brown skin, exactly alike" and "until we are all bi-sexual and in non-committed relationships," reported the Salt Lake City Tribune.
The now private post read in part: "The left won't be happy until we have light brown skin, exactly alike, (or else there will remain someone whiter than another)... They won't be happy until there are no males, no females... They won't be happy until we are al bi-sexual and in non-committed relationships... They won't be happy until no one smiles more than another... They won't be happy until we are as miserable as they are."
The next day he was denounced from all sides of the political spectrum,
"Statements, such as those shared by Council Member Alvord, negate the suffering of those historically marginalized and promote attitudes that perpetuate the very inequities that systematically neglect the well-being of those who need our help the most," the mayor's statement continued. "The comments shed light on why it is important for us to continue our work towards a better understanding of equity and inclusion in the community. ... We are leaders in a world already suffering. We must rally to give one another hope, not to take it away."
Not surprisingly, on March 4 his FB post went private and Alvord apologized, reported the SLCT. It was hard not to see the irony in his original statement, in which he accused the left "won't be happy until there are no jokes, since humor derives from human foibles in one way another."
His apology read: "Social media is a place for ideas and conversation. My post was meant to engage discussion about where 'cancel culture' is heading, which I believe has a dangerous destination."
Alvord added: "The examples I came up with were simply hyperbole meant to illustrate why cancel culture is problematic.
"I recognize that as an elected official, words take on extra meaning and significance. I would like to apologize for any who misunderstood my intentions. I assure you that I don't hold any ill will towards anyone."