This isn’t breaking news.
It’s a harvested video from an old post on La Gordiloca’s Facebook page that is making the rounds these days.
It’s rather self-explanatory and illustrative of mayoral candidate Roque Vela’s use of the pejorative term “retard.”
Though it is late in the election cycle, it is important to me to share it with you.
It’s no secret that I’ve never embraced the idea that Roque Vela Jr. has the leadership qualities to move this City forward as its mayor.
If like much of compassionate society you’ve decided “retard” has left the lexicon for the panteón of ugly, hurtful, demeaning language, you’ll take offense at Mr. Vela’s use of the word.
With one broad verbal backhand (he’s known to use his hands to make a point), his use of“retard” defines his view of people with learning and intellectual disabilities.
Further, it points to his racist views as he talks about Vish Viswanath, an outspoken Indo-American who is running for City Council District VI against Vela’s good friend, Dr. Marte Martinez.
If elected, how would Mr. Vela treat foreign investors who wish to establish businesses in the City? With derision and ridicule?
Vela’s use of “retard” speaks about whom Vela thinks deserves inclusion in mainstream life.
As well, it speaks to his superior views of himself and those he considers inferior.
Kind of like when he summed up Nelly Vielma, the woman to whom he lost his District V Council re-election bid, as “an inferior candidate.”
