A public relations disaster is unfolding for officials in Evans, Colorado, after a city memo suggesting the invitation of Hispanic residents to a council meeting was widely condemned as shockingly tone-deaf and discriminatory.
The internal communication, sent by a senior official and later obtained by media, proposed designating a council meeting as 'Hispanic Heritage Night'. It specifically suggested ensuring 'that we have a room full of Hispanics' to attend the event. The clumsy and directive language has ignited a firestorm of criticism from community leaders and civil rights advocates.
A 'Cringeworthy' and Problematic Proposal
Council member Andrea Haitz, who received the memo, expressed her disbelief, labelling the proposal as 'cringeworthy'. The memo's approach, which treated a diverse ethnic community as a monolithic group to be paraded for a photo opportunity, has been slammed for its insensitivity.
Critics argue the incident reveals a deep-seated failure in understanding genuine community engagement. Instead of fostering inclusive dialogue, the proposal is seen as a checkbox exercise that reduces cultural heritage to a performative spectacle.
Official Response and Fallout
In response to the backlash, Evans City Manager Jim Becklenberg issued an apology. He stated the memo's language was 'not appropriate' and did not reflect the city's values, acknowledging the need for more thoughtful and respectful outreach efforts.
The incident has sparked a broader conversation about how local governments interact with minority communities. It underscores the importance of moving beyond superficial gestures and towards building authentic, lasting relationships based on mutual respect rather than tokenism.
