Robinson’s question proves his ignorance
To the Editor:
I am writing about the opinion Mark Claxton of Bryson City gave regarding the Republican candidate for governor, current Lt. Governor Mark Robinson, and opinions he was quoted to have said.
Mr. Claxton was trying to “correct” Margaret Pickett, from Highlands, who was aghast by the comments from Mr. Robinson, and was saying that she took Robinson’s comments out of context. He then explains his version of the context saying this was a question “Robinson asked himself,” and explained his reason for saying, “he wanted to go back to an America where women couldn’t vote.” Claxton “explained” Robinson’s comment was saying America was better because, “Republicans fought for real social change.”
I believe Claxton was so intent on trying to clear Robinson of any misogyny, that he somehow believes it means the “Republican party was supporting women’s suffrage.” A somewhat unfathomable interpretation.
I for one, believe that Claxton misses the point: this doesn’t matter about context. In my opinion, the question itself was ignorant and drastically biased at best and should have been called out as unanswerable for those reasons. If, as Claxton wrote, Robinson asked himself this question, I’m not sure how it became so nationally known, but it would have been better to keep it to himself.
If someone cannot see the inherent racial and misogynistic prejudice in such a question, they are either of those beliefs himself or herself, or ignorant to the extreme pain and suffering caused by both options. The most appropriate answer to such an inquiry is, “Neither, both were/are reprehensible times in America.”
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I agree that voters must be aware of any candidates’ opinions, beliefs and behaviors as they make their voting choices. Both Ms. Pickett and Mr. Claxton admit Robinson did utter those words. I find no way not to credit him with that belief system and would not like to see that in our next governor.
Gloria Lobnitz
Waynesville
