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Letter to the
Editor
Citizens of Our Great Community Deserve Better
By Councilman Tom
Waniewski
When I was growing up in
north Toledo off Lagrange Street, my three brothers and I
fought often. We also loved each other a lot. There was
something endearing, as I look back, on this sibling
dichotomy that took place in our neighborhood of manicured
lawns and freshly-painted wood-frame homes. But brothers
being brothers, the rivalry got a bit heated occasionally
inside our well-kept, two-bedroom home.
One day, when both our
parents were working and my oldest brother at 13 was
babysitting, things got a bit rough. In frustration over
something I can no longer recall as the source, I picked up
a Downy bottle to throw at my brother. It was a small,
plastic, empty Downy bottle. What harm could come out of
throwing a small, plastic, empty Downy bottle? Plenty as it
turned out. The bottle hit my brother square in the mouth
knocking out his two front teeth.
I had another Downy moment
a couple of months back when, in my attempt to resolve a
long-standing nuisance in the district I represent, I used
an entomological term to describe the ongoing nuisance that
was creating an unhealthy environment for neighbors. Next to
pot holes, nuisance complaints are the largest number of
calls I receive. It was the wrong choice of words. It hurt
people. And I regret using it.
Since I consider myself
somewhat studied in English lexicon, it seemed like the
right metaphor. As harmless as an empty plastic detergent
bottle. I was wrong. After meeting with Councilman Larry
Sykes, and another meeting with Pastor Cedric Brock and Earl
Mack of the Buffalo Soldiers, the historical context became
clear. These community leaders, who have worked so hard to
erase prejudices and right the ship of inequality in our
community, helped me see the pain such a metaphor can bring.
In other words, what I thought was a minute descriptive
really wasn’t at all. Never mind the fact that I painted a
business climate with too broad a stroke of negativity.
I’ve worked a long time
helping people of all races and income levels. From my
volunteer work and fund-raising for non-profits, public
service has been in my DNA in the upbringing from wonderful
parents and a supportive church and school system. So
knowing that I had hurt others was not sitting well with me.
All citizens of our great community that I love deserve
better.
The community leaders with
whom I’ve met are leading the charge and fighting the good
fight. Sykes, Brock, and Mack are to be commended for their
work. But there has to be more. And it has to come from me
and people like me by empathizing with the inequalities and
reaching out to correct it. Otherwise I’m defeating their
hard work and reaching for that Downy bottle again. |
