Letter to the Editor: Demographics of new leaders not nearly as relevant as content they provide

Good day, fellow Quincyans.  

I wanted to share a perspective that has been on my mind for awhile, and if you’ll humor me for just a moment, I’ll pass it on.

While our community’s leadership and representation is evolving, I wanted to draw attention to the fact that the demographics of those new leaders, while important, is not nearly as relevant as the content which they provide. 

In a recent Muddy River News article, emphasis was placed on the statement that “3 Black men” were on the Park Board.  While I have no doubt about the benevolence of the author’s observation, sometimes that illumination can be too much of a good thing.  As an American, who just happens to be a person of color, sometimes a certain fatigue from differentiation can occur.  

I’m fortunate that as a child, my mother provided me with not only a mirror but a 64-box of Crayola crayons, so I’m pretty well versed in my colors. I don’t require any reminders. As we begin a new cycle of representation in our community, perhaps it might be more beneficial to focus on the substance that those individuals bring to the table instead of their gender or hue.

Martin Luther King dreamed of a day when people were judged “not by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” It sure would be nice if we could start today.

Mark C. Philpot
Quincy, Illinois