SNAP Blog Header
Home : Blogs : Blog Option 1 :
 

Crystal_Cotti's Blog

by Crystal_Cotti from Austin, Texas

Last Post 195 days, 3 hours Ago


The Austin Bubble
Mar 21, 2008 | 10:14 AM
Category: News
Report This Post

I was shocked and amazed when I first contacted Charles Laws Thursday morning.  When I asked him if he thought the word "BLEEP" was derogatory, he replied "Lady, I'm 74  years old and that's what we called them when I was growing up. I don't care about political crap." I then asked him, "Did anyone else in the public meeting take offense?" Mr. Laws responded "No, they laughed, they thought it was a joke."

But city officials in Austin aren't laughing. They want Laws to resign from the Creedmoor Maha Water Supply Corporation and as Mayor Pro Tem of the Mustang Ridge City Council.

Mr. Laws published this slur "holding pen for BLEEP" in a public meeting agenda, he was referring to a proposed Immigrant Detention Facilty near Mustang Ridge.

It wasn't just shocking hateful language would be printed in a public meeting agenda, it was equally disturbing that Mr. Laws at first saw absolutely nothing wrong with using the slur. He later acted apologetic after getting several calls from media and city officials asking him to resign.

 Living and working in Austin for the last eight years, I'm not used to hearing such language, even if people privately think and say these words, it's so rare to hear them actually spoken in public and to a reporter nonetheless. A friend of mine put it like this, "We live in a bubble in this town." There's a lot of truth to that.
3 Comments |  Add a Comment

Member Comments Total Comments: 3
Page 1 of 1
moist-rear
Mar 21, 2008 | 3:11 PM

"BLEEP"?!?! Don't you mean "the W-word"?
westdil read my blog view my photos
Mar 22, 2008 | 9:14 AM

I consider Austin a youthful city with UT, an arty atmosphere, aspiring musicians, etc. With youthfulness comes idealism.

From a political standpoint Austin is more liberal than most of Texas. Anti-war, anti-death penalty, environmental demonstrations are more likely in Austin than other cities of Texas. Austin is considered a "safe" city for BLEEP, BLEEP and BLEEP.

Go 10 miles out of Austin into the Texas countryside in any direction and listen to the choice of words people use in private conversations, church, etc. I personally find the use of inflammatory words offensive and try not to use them. However, I don't try and correct people and I'm not naive about what goes on around me. I live in a bubble called the world of reality.

"Serenity Prayer: God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference".
westdil read my blog view my photos
Mar 22, 2008 | 9:19 AM

I consider Austin a youthful city with UT, an arty atmosphere, aspiring musicians, etc. With youthfulness comes idealism.

From a political standpoint Austin is more liberal than most of Texas. Anti-war, anti-death penalty, environmental demonstrations are more likely in Austin than other cities of Texas. Austin is considered a "safe" city for BLEEP, BLEEP and BLEEP.

Go 10 miles out of Austin into the Texas countryside in any direction and listen to the choice of words people use in private conversations, church, etc. I personally find the use of inflammatory words offensive and try not to use them. However, I don't try and correct people and I'm not naive about what goes on around me. I live in a bubble called the world of reality.

"Serenity Prayer: God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference".
Page 1 of 1


Write your comment below:




Crystal_Cotti

Hi there, my name is Crystal Cotti and I'm the City Hall Reporter for FOX 7 NEWS. I graduated from the University of Texas at Austin and am proud to call this city home. When I'm not at work, I'm spending quality time with my new daughter Victoria and my husband Mark.

Member Since: 9/19/2006


 

View All Photos


RSS: XMLWhat is RSS?