The curtain for the 2023 election will drop and the candidates and activists will soon take a bow. We will again reflect on who we were and what we have done.
The apparent take is that, as one of the wealthiest cities in the United States and one of the most sophisticated crucibles for ingenuity, we could have done better. We had an election season roiled by hatred, disrespect, social shaming and gross mischaracterization. An all-or-nothing, either-or type of thinking epitomizes our political arena.
type of thinking epitomizes our political arena.
Many of our activists were quick in condemning, social shaming, minimizing any voice of reason, and grossly mischaracterizing the pragmatic approach the city badly needs. In today’s Cambridge, one cannot be a practical bike lane supporter. It would be best if you were a zealous our-way-or-the-highway advocate. Otherwise, you will be labeled as an opponent to saving lives, only trying to rip off the bike lanes. In today’s Cambridge, quick-to-shame activists will label many moderate views on civic issues as “homophobic” or “transphobic.” Anyone who differs from a single component of their agenda will be quickly treated as an unforgivable opponent. In their belief, being a moderate is “just supporting the other side.”
Angry and hostile tones permeated this election, and group allegiance came out as a kind of mentality disorder and hate politics, grossly deterring the balanced approach the city needed to bring itself together. Even our esteemed Harvard Crimson may have forgotten the noble tradition of Walter Cronkite in journalism, mistaking allegation with verification, conviction with indictment. In some reporters’ minds, a judge and jury will no longer be necessary; the accused is automatically guilty as charged.
In this toxic arena, we are no longer capable of building a consensus. There can be no rational political dialogue. In this climate, Cambridge did not treat our centrist, moderate or independent candidates respectfully. A balanced candidacy was hard to win. The “us vs them,” “all or nothing” mentality is almost certain to harm everyone ultimately.
It may be very late in this election, but we need our solidarity back. Diversity will not hold without solidarity. Equality starts with solidarity. As a city, we will need to transcend cultural and political boundaries. We must signify once again our unity, mutual support and our shared sense of community. We must show compassion and regain our ability to empathize with others and stand by their side for their needs and ways of life. We need to offer our cooperation and support to each other. The polarization is toxic. The apathy must go. The divisive politics must go.
Hao Wang, candidate for Cambridge City Council
A stronger
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Thank you for this thoughtful piece!
I for one don’t seek to empathize with homophobes, transphobes, or racists. You can choose to ignore their tweets and pretend like they had no idea what they were saying and/or liking, but nobody genuinely believes that.
Good luck Hao!
Some of the candidates running *literally sued the city to have the bike lanes removed.* Thankfully they didn’t succeed, but on the council they may get another chance.
Some candidates want more affordable housing. Some think we’ve done enough.
Those are actual things we disagree on. That’s not about tone, it’s about the fact that some policy paths are in fact mutually exclusive.
As for the rest, the transphobic and Islamophobic comments made by Pasquarello and Winters were condemned by decent candidates on both “sides.” Councillor Nolan, a CCC endorsee not normally considered part of the ABC crowd, denounced them. Appropriately! Two other CCC endorsees, Ayesha Wilson and Frederick Muchnik, also criticized the comments. The divisiveness is not in accurately calling out hateful bigotry for what it is. The divisiveness is in ignoring or defending bigoted comments targeting people’s identity.
Jess “the attacker” is at it again. Will you also call out Mayor Siddiqui (and the ABC group who endorses her) for reportedly creating a toxic work environment for a number of city employees (4 of them minority women): https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/10/16/metro/employees-cambridge-mayor-sumbul-siddiqui-allege-toxic-workplace/
Will you call out the very low percentage of local Cambridge campaign support for many members of the ABC, DSA, CBS political pacs? And will you call out the vile anti-Catholic tweets of Dan Totten or the social media support he has given on social media to destroying property in Central Square (and condemn the groups who endorsed him them)?
Much of your framing was fomented by a very angry and vengeful individual who misrepresents and twists the facts. Fortunately, they no longer lives here. And happily you are no longer allowed to spew this kind of vitriol on neighborhood list serves.
Said another way, if you don’t like a candidate, or a group of candidates, just don’t vote for them. Or if you are going to attack one group or individual make sure you attack the other candidates who have actually DONE things that are highly problematic (and the groups and candidates affiliated with groups making these endorsements.
Sanfordw, I have no idea what you’re talking about, going on about listservs, but it seems clear you very much to want to argue with me personally. I’m not biting. Have a great day.
Jess: The listserves of the city neighborhood groups – which have tamped down on attacks. And no – I have no desire to argue with you. I just want you to stop fueling attacks and become an honest broker in terms of addressing the full spectrum of actions for various candidates and groups in play.
I kind of think it’s impossible for you not to know what he’s talking about.
You are right Patrick, the only answer is willful ignorance — there seems to be a lot of that going around lately. That and gaslighting.
We can only hope it gets better.
And Thank you Hao for your letter!
Jess is a good egg. The election is over … the back and forth can maybe stop for a few days. I think I owe a few $1 bets to people. Happy to say I’ve underestimated our little city/town. Congrats to all who won and better luck next time to most who didn’t
If your goal is to bring everyone together, Mr. Wang, you might start by not attacking everyone involved in Cambridge politics. If you don’t want a politics that’s divisive, don’t be divisive, exude positivity, and look for areas of agreement.