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When you open your meeting Tuesday night, it would be fitting if you shared a prayer once offered by William Penn: "O Lord, help me not to despise or oppose what I do not understand."
With all of the important City business on your plate, there is no question that much of Jacksonville — and a lot of America — will be most interested in seeing what you say, how you act and the way you vote on legislation to reappoint Parvez Ahmed to the Human Rights Commission.
We are braced for Tuesday's vote for a couple of reasons.
Last week in this column I implored the members of the Rules Committee to put behind us the 2-year-old saga of accusation and innuendo toward Ahmed's service on the commission.
For reasons mostly dealing with his Muslim religion, Ahmed has been singled out by screeching, demagogic opposition that would be better reserved for murderers and child predators.
He has been quoted as saying, "This is a caricature of my life's work. The rhetoric does not match the reality."
There is no conversation that he has not served as a solid member of the commission for the past two years, after being appointed by Mayor John Peyton.
If the past is prologue, Ahmed will be re-confirmed by the Council.
After the prolonged, ugly rhetoric two years ago, Council finally approved Ahmed on a 12-6 vote.
Council members who cast three of the six no votes against Ahmed are gone, leaving only Clay Yarborough, Don Redman and Ray Holt as the original cornerstones of opposition.
Of the 12 who voted to approve Ahmed, eight are still members of the Council, including Stephen Joost, who was pointed in his criticism of the treatment aimed at Ahmed.
"This is not the Muslim commission. This is not the Jewish commission or the Christian commission. This is the Human Rights Commission. I'm offended by this line of questioning," Joost said two years ago.
But, this is not about Ahmed.
Instead, it's an appeal that Council members will use the opportunity of Ahmed's reappointment Tuesday night as a re-affirmation for decency and tolerance in Jacksonville.
It's important enough because Jacksonville is being watched across America — even around the world — by those waiting on your actions, expecting us to continue as the poster child for prejudice.
Please disappoint them.
We'd rather be able to boast to ourselves and others that you did the right thing by staring down prejudice and, instead, you stood up for tolerance.
Instead of sitting silent in the face of unfairness and bigotry, we want to brag that you shouted loudly that in Jacksonville, we value inclusiveness, diversity and the dignity of every person.
It matters. It really matters.
Jim Bailey
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Tacachale
February 25, 2013, 03:48:00 PMVery nice piece, Jim, and very important. Thank you.
Doctor_K
February 25, 2013, 04:04:41 PMAgree whole-heartedly. Very well stated!
fieldafm
February 25, 2013, 10:00:03 PMIn regards to Hemming Plaza, it's time for the powers that be who have 'led' Hemming to step aside and let the people who actually use this once proud public space the opportunity to shape it's future.
Cheshire Cat
February 25, 2013, 10:21:10 PMWho are the people who use it and how can they shape it's future. Just wondering who you see those folks to be.
Cheshire Cat
February 25, 2013, 10:24:35 PMstephendare
February 25, 2013, 11:00:14 PMCheshire Cat: There are two Jim Bailey Editorials.
Cheshire Cat
February 25, 2013, 11:16:50 PMI hadn't realized that Stephen and must have been having a senior moment. Thanks for the heads up. I am glad Jim is speaking up about these issues. His publication is read by all the people who need to receive his words. I do think he may get the attention of many who would otherwise stay mired in bigoted ways and being a respected conservative member of our community makes it that much nicer.
Cheshire Cat
February 25, 2013, 11:59:52 PMOne last comment on this post. We often discuss the problem voters face in Jacksonville when trying to decide who would be someone of character and intellect who understands our city and worth voting into public office. At a time when no one is currently running for political office, we are lucky enough to see the actions and thoughts of a Jacksonville business leader and citizen that truly understand and cares about how our city is viewed and represented. I would submit at this point should Mr. Bailey every chose to run for public office in Jacksonville, I will be one of the first in line to support him. He has shown us the strength of his character when he could have remained silent. That speaks volumes about him in my view and about his leadership standards. Good stuff.
thelakelander
February 26, 2013, 06:15:06 AMThe Republican Club of West Jacksonville doesn't agree with Mr. Bailey:
full article: http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/403455/steve-patterson/2013-02-25/republican-club-opposes-parvez-ahmeds-reappointment
stephendare
February 26, 2013, 06:22:56 AMI think a couple of those guys are still trying to find the communists funding for Martin Luther King, though. "Westside Republican Club" is kind of like "Prison Recreation Committee". The second two words are not as important as the first.
BridgeTroll
February 26, 2013, 10:13:44 AMAs a Westside republican... I heartily disagree with the Republican Club of West Jacksonville.
Cheshire Cat
February 26, 2013, 12:14:24 PMThe attitude of this group is exactly what continues to damage the "Republican" brand.