City of Boulder: I Want My Fucking Voice Heard

I'm guilty of apathy. I'm an active community member is some regards but have stayed on the sidelines for things I consider political. Today I'm writing my first letter to Boulder City Council because I want my fucking voice heard. Others in the community have asked for the city to terminate a project with Code for America designed to increase civic engagement based on an Ignite Boulder talk given by Becky Boone, a Code for America senior fellow.

The premise of Becky's presentation is that the majority of Boulder's residents are vastly underrepresented in local governance. That local elections and participation in the political process are the most effective ways to create change. That those who don't agree with conversations that are happening without them should do something about it. She presents data from the work she's done with the city to support that premise. It seems to me that the message is clear: you should care about your local government.

Sadly, there are fellow community members who have written City Council asking for Becky's immediate termination on the grounds that Becky's presentation was unprofessional and biased. From my point of view she presents important facts underscored with the use of the word fuck. Anybody who has seen me in a professional environment knows I say things underscored with the use of the word fuck quite often. Fuck's just a word folks.

When it really comes down to it calling for Becky's termination is a thinly veiled bullying of a community member who is encouraging other community members to participate in local government. Those who are behind this know that their agenda is threatened if the silent majority speaks up. Fuck that.

Below is what I've written to Boulder's City Council members (council@bouldercolorado.gov) and Jane Brautigam, City Manager (brautigamj@bouldercolorado.gov). Writing City Council is the most effective way that you can make a difference right now - feel free to copy and/or edit for your own use. 

Mayor Appelbaum, Mayor Pro Tem Jones, Councilman Karakehian, Councilwoman Morzel, Councilman Plass, Councilman Cowles, Councilwoman Young, Councilman Shoemaker, Councilman Weaver -

I'm writing to you this afternoon to ask for Becky Boone's immediate reinstatement so that she, the City of Boulder, and Code for America may continue to do the incredibly important work of increasing your constituency's engagement in the political process.

Calling for Ms. Boone's termination is a thinly veiled bullying of a community member who is encouraging other community members to participate in local government. She spoke on her own time, presented important facts, and used the word fuck to underscore her point (a word I use to underscore my point in a professional setting quite regularly).

Please protect the political process and your constituents by immediately reinstating Ms. Boone.

Respectfully,

Bing Chou
Downtown Boulder, Inc. board member