In his letter in the April 19 edition of this paper, the San Juan County Democratic Party Chairman James Adakai played the racism card in an age-old effort to agitate hostilities in San Juan County. These are the same tired and shameful tactics used for decades by the likes of Arafat, Farrakhan, Jackson and Sharpton.
Apparently, Adakai assumes that anyone who disagrees with him is a racist. I not only find this simple and juvenile, but unbecoming a leader of a political party.
Counter to current political correctness, racism actually goes both ways. Racism is defined as: “prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one’s own race is superior.”
When San Juan County Commissioner Bruce Adams suggested a referendum regarding Bears Ears in the last County Commission meeting, he was responding, in part, to input from his constitutes. As the responsible and responsive commissioner that his is, he acted in accordance with our input and his own conscience.
Regardless of the actions and motivation of past commissions, and contrary to Adakai’s little-informed assertion, referendum has always been an option to any citizen who takes the time to learn the system of law under which we operate.
I plead with the leaders of both political parties, please spend more time seeking unity, rather than inciting division and conflict via childish insults and innuendo.
Mr. Adakai, the democratic part of our republican form of government certainly does include the election of officials by majority vote. It also includes the right and responsibility of citizens to voice opposition as well as shower praise, remain vigilant against corruption and malfeasance, and hold those same elected officials accountable.
Mr. Adakai, if you have a beef, it is with the concerned citizens of San Juan County, not the easy target of an elected official doing his job.
Shanon Brooks, Monticello
