Ritzville citizens need to practice tolerance

 

Last updated 4/25/2013 at Noon



To the Editor,

I felt sorry for the fellow who wrote that when he voiced his opinion, he was told to get out of town. I was shocked to hear another person agree.

When he was told to leave if he didn’t like it here, he got angry sure, but he was also devastated because he wrote that he had lived in Ritzville for six years and when would he be considered a part of the town? Clearly he wants to participate and offer his opinions. Usually having a strong opinion means you are vested in something (Ritzville in this case) and care about the outcome.

Here’s another scenario: suppose a guy starts spouting off about whatever the current debate in town is. He or his extended family is “from Ritzville.”

No big deal, right?

Why do I feel like the reaction to him might have been different, “There he goes again,” “Will somebody please shut him up,” etc … But of all things that could be said, I can’t imagine anyone saying, “If you don’t like it here, leave – get out of town.”

I’m pretty sure this isn’t a conscious thought on the town’s part and it’s those of us who aren’t “from Ritzville” that notice. I understand that it’s only a small percentage, but still, it’s a rumor that maybe only we outsiders hear or experience. I was dismayed to see it validated.

But there’s hope, because across the board we are encouraging our kids to be tolerant, to allow others to feel differently than we do, to teach and show that there’s room for more than one opinion, to stop bullying and not reject others because they don’t look or believe as we do.

This is the Ritzville we must become if we want people to move here and we all want our population to grow. Don’t we?

Michele Pendrey

Ritzville

 

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