Hinchman: Phillips lacks values to serve our ‘Golden Rule City’
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By Emily Hinchman
Dear Mayor Lane and City Councilmembers,
I am writing to you as a private citizen to condemn Councilmember Guy Phillips’ hateful speech he recited at Wednesday’s “Unmask Us” protest.
With a mask around his neck, Mr. Phillips addressed the crowd in front of City Hall and stated, “I can’t breathe.”
This sentence is utterly disrespectful and extremely unbecoming of an elected official.
To dishonor a man’s brutal death, amidst weeks of public outrage, is despicable. Mr. Phillips has completely disregarded the Black Lives Matter movement and exploited George Floyd for his own political stunt.
The Human Relations Commission recently had a meeting to discuss how to have the most impact on our city in a time that necessitates it. That time is now!
As you are well aware, the Commission “acts as an advisory body to the Mayor, City Council and staff to make recommendations on ways to encourage mutual respect and understanding among people, to discourage prejudice and discrimination, and to work towards cultural awareness and unity.”
After Wednesday’s disgraceful display by Mr. Phillips, it is quite clear that the Commission has a lot of work to do.
Several months ago, Mr. Phillips had to publicly apologize for his insensitive and completely inaccurate remarks against our Asian-American citizens when he falsely claimed to know what COVID-19 stood for. You would think he would’ve learned something from that debacle.
It appears that not only does Mr. Phillips lack the understanding of how the simple act of wearing a mask can help reduce the spread of infection, but he also lacks empathy, compassion, and understanding for all Arizonans.
Scottsdale has been proclaimed a Golden Rule City and values kindness, respect, civility, and empathy. Mr. Phillips is lacking in all four of these standards and should therefore resign immediately.
Editor’s Note: Emily Hinchman is a Scottsdale resident, vice-chair of the Human Relations Commission, a board-certified nurse practitioner and registered nurse.
