Letter: ‘Republicans Posing as Democrats’

The following is response to a letter written by Dianne Gregg, advisor of Jim Leous; a paid political ad released by Ronald Filippelli and Cathy Dauler; and the most recent State College Borough Council work session. 

“I too, am America.” Langston Hughes, a renowned author, activist and poet, wrote these words in 1926 to speak on racism and his American identity — a Black man’s lamentation on the way he is excluded from American Society, even though he is a key part of it. Ninety-five years later, we continue to see individuals doubt the inclusion and contribution of Black folks and members of other marginalized groups to American society. This is unacceptable. 

The roots of America are racist. The institutions that currently stand were built on stolen Native land, and on the backs of Africans. In the mid-1920s, the Klu Klux Klan had over 250,000 members in Pennsylvania. In the 1990s, the Western Pennsylvania White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan were training followers in the use of pipe bombs and organized terror campaigns. Aside from the savagery of lynching and murdering citizens of color, they also used fear-mongering tactics to keep people in line, and politics the same. Racial tropes of Jewish people being thieves and scammers and Black people being a danger to society were used to justify white supremacy and as a mechanism to maintain the status quo. That is our history, America’s history; and you may ask, why is that relevant now? In the words of Malcom X, “it seems the chickens have finally come to roost,” and in my professional opinion, Jim Crow still flies. 

Under the guise of dog-whistle politics, Dianne Gregg released a racist and factually incorrect letter to the editor questioning the financial integrity of Ezra Nanes and his campaign for State College mayor. To blatantly imply that a Jewish-American mayoral candidate misreported the use of donors’ money for his own gain is not only offensive and insensitive, but it speaks to a larger issue regarding deep-seated anti-Semitic sentiments toward Jewish people in Centre County.

A select group of “Democrats” in this community either have no historical knowledge or no concern of how racial innuendos can create pain and separation in communities. In effect, what Gregg seemed to insinuate was, “Don’t trust the Jew.” She has caused division, pain and hurt, all in her desperate efforts to support her colleague Jim Leous. As of this moment, Leous has yet to speak out against this racially insensitive letter written by his political advisor. Anti-Semitic sentiments would not be acceptable if this was truly a “Happy Valley,” right?

In addition to this, a recent paid political ad released in the Centre Daily Times is no more than political propaganda used to propose a flawed perspective of the people in this community. For white, heterosexual, cis-gendered, middle/upper-class members of American society to say that State College is a welcoming place to live for all marginalized communities is white privilege at its finest. To believe you can speak for groups you barely understand is arrogant and ignorant to say the least. By stating marginalized communities can live their lives here “without fear,” is implying that if Divine Lipscomb and Gopal Balachandran were elected to borough council, the community would have “something to fear.” Ultimately, Filippelli and Dauler seem to be saying, “Keep our council white to secure your safety.” This raises even more flags, seeing as Lipscomb has run on the platform of being a formerly incarcerated individual.

On May 14, 2021 at a borough council work session, the board was discussing the Community Oversight Board, in reference to diversity when selecting members. Mayor Filippelli stated, “If the community is going to respect this board, then, in my opinion, it ought to reflect the community it’s representing.” One might ask, if you have to constantly clarify your statements, they must be initially problematic, as well your way of thinking. How are you to lead State College into the future with regressive politics and racist, tone-deaf articles?

What is becoming increasingly evident is the trend of Republicans posing as Democrats: politicians who espouse conservative, alt-right ideologies, but run as Democrats to maintain political power. Ironically, Filippelli and Dauler mentioned Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., but failed to quote him: “America has failed to hear that large segments of white society are more concerned about tranquility and the status quo, than about justice and humanity.” State College, are we to continue to let “Jim Crow” nest in “Happy Valley?” Are we to continue to allow those politicians who became born-again Democrats during the Trump era, lead us into the future? Your vote.

Tierra Williams

Ferguson Township

The author is a candidate for Ferguson Township supervisor.