A Response to Rita Montoya calling Community Members Racist

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here is a thoughtful response to Rita Montoya's comment caught on a hot mic at the March 26th BOE meeting:

https://moderatelymoco.com/when-disagreement-becomes-racism/

I'm not following this argument that relocating Wootton "breaks up" the community. There was a boundary study that impacted a lot of high schools. The only school being taken out of Wootton is Cold Spring and I think they are fine with that.

I think it’s because they fear that Crown will be overcrowded and sooner or later they will be broken apart. Eg Parkway families become the new edge property and first one to be pushed out if and when Crown is overcrowded.

But also I think the authors point was even if you disagree with this premise, it’s not appropriate to call anyone who disagrees with you racist.

We are weaponizing racism so much to the point where it’s beginning to lack meaning.

I agree. I think it is important to be specific when calling out racism, and Montoya didn't do that when she made the hot mic comment. It makes a mockery of anti-racism to use it in this snarky and catty fashion. Unfortunately that is quite common in the anti-racist movement.

For all those ppl saying she was saying this in reference to the regional program and not boundary study, is this the best defense of Rita you can think of? Is it ever appropriate to call everyone who disagrees with you on a policy as racist? Is board member Julie Yang also racist then?

Rita’s regional programming speech was dripping in Anti-Asian hate. Rita Montoya hates Asians kids and Asian parents. We knew this before she let her mask slip.

I didn't hear any hateful language in Rita's regional programming speech. I thought it was dumb because she conflated the DCC and NEC with magnet programs that aren't part of the consortia. Describing the racial makeup of the magnet programs is not hateful or racist.

Per Rita, those who oppose regional programming whatever their reason (perhaps they want to preserve DCC and NEC), are all racist.

As a parent of color who is a huge fan of DCC, this is offensive on its face.

So to all the people who are saying o no Rita’s comment wasn’t about boundary program, it was about regional program—that’s not a defense babes. The most basic point of the article is elected officials shouldn’t call disagreement as racism. Thats not a controversial or hot take.

Try having a honest conversation with people rather than dismiss them as racist.

I agree it is stupid and distasteful to call everyone who opposed you racist, but it is not hateful towards Asians.

So racism doesn't equate to hate for you. OK.

Calling people racist isn't racism

"But indiscriminately labeling a room full of engaged parents, many of them Asian American, as racist is, at best, ironic; at worst, the very kind of conduct you claim to oppose."

What Rita said was racist - she was generally characterizing the opponents of the BOE's vote as racist. Rita put this out there and she has to own her words. It's too bad that she has never apologized for her hot mic comment.

[Anonymous]

This is a little off topic, but I am in the Viers Mill community, where there is a lot of talk about how detrimental it will be for our community to go and be the poor immigrant kids in the Woodward pyramid. Even though this will probably help our property values here, it is interesting how, even within the black/brown community, there is no perfect answer.

Do I think that Montoya should have said what she said- No. Do I think she should apologize- yes. Do I think what she said is pretty accurate of those arguing for Wootton to stay- yes, she is probably correct. Is there really a great solution for everyone in this insanely large county where every group will be happy- absolutely not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm Asian, grew up in a similar circumstance as that writer, but have a different viewpoint.

There are all types of Asians, but the sort that is in W schools are materialistic in a way that definitely reflects racism and classism. I don't think they realize it from inside their echo chamber.

Most Asians are not like this thankfully and we choose to stay clear of those clusters.

So you are saying every Asian person at a W school is racist and classist?

No because many Asian families are happy about the move to Crown.

Sorry you are racist and classist per the PP.

He/she/they said “There are all types of Asians, but the sort that is in W schools are materialistic in a way that definitely reflects racism and classism.”

Not the ones happy about the move.

No, actually even the ones happy about the move are racist and classist per the PP comment. They said they “sort that is in W schools” is racist and classist, and don’t forget materialistic.

You bought into Wootton. You are thus racist, classist, and materialistic.

There’s no nuance.

Does this vast generalization upset you? Because vast generalizations are bad?
So…ergo…an elected official calling all dissenters racist…is this good or bad?

You need to touch grass… and wootton grass is better than the rest so …

Is it real grass or turf? Inquiring minds want to know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is a little off topic, but I am in the Viers Mill community, where there is a lot of talk about how detrimental it will be for our community to go and be the poor immigrant kids in the Woodward pyramid. Even though this will probably help our property values here, it is interesting how, even within the black/brown community, there is no perfect answer.

Do I think that Montoya should have said what she said- No. Do I think she should apologize- yes. Do I think what she said is pretty accurate of those arguing for Wootton to stay- yes, she is probably correct. Is there really a great solution for everyone in this insanely large county where every group will be happy- absolutely not.

Most people protesting this move are doing so because
1. Proximity: they are worried it is only a matter of time before they get redistricted because crown is much further for them than walkable Wootton
2. The insane gaslighting and lunacy of this process. (Brown Station: I can promise you this move was made because mcps has already made up its mind to close Ridgeview. Yet another example of decisions being “done deals” before public engagement even started)
3. Unfair: they chose to close down a majority minority school. Why do predominantly white schools get renovations but Wootton didn’t for 17+ years?



And again—regardless of how you feel about Wootton or even if you think Montoya made the comments in response to the regional program, not the boundary study, her comments are disqualifying for an elected official.

Full stop.

Condoning or putting up with this type of behavior from elected officials is why we have who we have in the White House. There’s no debate on the merits of policies and issues, just constant demagoguing

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here is a thoughtful response to Rita Montoya's comment caught on a hot mic at the March 26th BOE meeting:

https://moderatelymoco.com/when-disagreement-becomes-racism/

I'm not following this argument that relocating Wootton "breaks up" the community. There was a boundary study that impacted a lot of high schools. The only school being taken out of Wootton is Cold Spring and I think they are fine with that.

I think it’s because they fear that Crown will be overcrowded and sooner or later they will be broken apart. Eg Parkway families become the new edge property and first one to be pushed out if and when Crown is overcrowded.

But also I think the authors point was even if you disagree with this premise, it’s not appropriate to call anyone who disagrees with you racist.

We are weaponizing racism so much to the point where it’s beginning to lack meaning.

I agree. I think it is important to be specific when calling out racism, and Montoya didn't do that when she made the hot mic comment. It makes a mockery of anti-racism to use it in this snarky and catty fashion. Unfortunately that is quite common in the anti-racist movement.

For all those ppl saying she was saying this in reference to the regional program and not boundary study, is this the best defense of Rita you can think of? Is it ever appropriate to call everyone who disagrees with you on a policy as racist? Is board member Julie Yang also racist then?

Rita’s regional programming speech was dripping in Anti-Asian hate. Rita Montoya hates Asians kids and Asian parents. We knew this before she let her mask slip.

I didn't hear any hateful language in Rita's regional programming speech. I thought it was dumb because she conflated the DCC and NEC with magnet programs that aren't part of the consortia. Describing the racial makeup of the magnet programs is not hateful or racist.

Per Rita, those who oppose regional programming whatever their reason (perhaps they want to preserve DCC and NEC), are all racist.

As a parent of color who is a huge fan of DCC, this is offensive on its face.

So to all the people who are saying o no Rita’s comment wasn’t about boundary program, it was about regional program—that’s not a defense babes. The most basic point of the article is elected officials shouldn’t call disagreement as racism. Thats not a controversial or hot take.

Try having a honest conversation with people rather than dismiss them as racist.

I agree it is stupid and distasteful to call everyone who opposed you racist, but it is not hateful towards Asians.

So racism doesn't equate to hate for you. OK.

Calling people racist isn't racism

"But indiscriminately labeling a room full of engaged parents, many of them Asian American, as racist is, at best, ironic; at worst, the very kind of conduct you claim to oppose."

What Rita said was racist - she was generally characterizing the opponents of the BOE's vote as racist. Rita put this out there and she has to own her words. It's too bad that she has never apologized for her hot mic comment.

She absolutely needs to apologize.
She knew she messed up.
If you watch the video, right after she made the comment and realized the mic picked up on said comment, she immediately pushes the mic away from herself.

Rita: We all know you are reading this. Don’t bother running for re-election. You diminish the dignity of the office you were elected to serve.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a little off topic, but I am in the Viers Mill community, where there is a lot of talk about how detrimental it will be for our community to go and be the poor immigrant kids in the Woodward pyramid. Even though this will probably help our property values here, it is interesting how, even within the black/brown community, there is no perfect answer.

Do I think that Montoya should have said what she said- No. Do I think she should apologize- yes. Do I think what she said is pretty accurate of those arguing for Wootton to stay- yes, she is probably correct. Is there really a great solution for everyone in this insanely large county where every group will be happy- absolutely not.

Most people protesting this move are doing so because
1. Proximity: they are worried it is only a matter of time before they get redistricted because crown is much further for them than walkable Wootton
2. The insane gaslighting and lunacy of this process. (Brown Station: I can promise you this move was made because mcps has already made up its mind to close Ridgeview. Yet another example of decisions being “done deals” before public engagement even started)
3. Unfair: they chose to close down a majority minority school. Why do predominantly white schools get renovations but Wootton didn’t for 17+ years?



And again—regardless of how you feel about Wootton or even if you think Montoya made the comments in response to the regional program, not the boundary study, her comments are disqualifying for an elected official.

Full stop.

Condoning or putting up with this type of behavior from elected officials is why we have who we have in the White House. There’s no debate on the merits of policies and issues, just constant demagoguing

+1. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Almost everyone on the board is an unserious person.

They are mean and petty. They don't actually understand their roles. They pretend oversight is asking questions when they are given error-ridden powerpoint presentations.

MCPS is an embarrassment, honestly. I thought it would get better with TT, but the culture of mediocrity is so entrenched that he has been subsumed into it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here is a thoughtful response to Rita Montoya's comment caught on a hot mic at the March 26th BOE meeting:

https://moderatelymoco.com/when-disagreement-becomes-racism/

I'm not following this argument that relocating Wootton "breaks up" the community. There was a boundary study that impacted a lot of high schools. The only school being taken out of Wootton is Cold Spring and I think they are fine with that.

I think it’s because they fear that Crown will be overcrowded and sooner or later they will be broken apart. Eg Parkway families become the new edge property and first one to be pushed out if and when Crown is overcrowded.

But also I think the authors point was even if you disagree with this premise, it’s not appropriate to call anyone who disagrees with you racist.

We are weaponizing racism so much to the point where it’s beginning to lack meaning.

I agree. I think it is important to be specific when calling out racism, and Montoya didn't do that when she made the hot mic comment. It makes a mockery of anti-racism to use it in this snarky and catty fashion. Unfortunately that is quite common in the anti-racist movement.

For all those ppl saying she was saying this in reference to the regional program and not boundary study, is this the best defense of Rita you can think of? Is it ever appropriate to call everyone who disagrees with you on a policy as racist? Is board member Julie Yang also racist then?

Rita’s regional programming speech was dripping in Anti-Asian hate. Rita Montoya hates Asians kids and Asian parents. We knew this before she let her mask slip.

I didn't hear any hateful language in Rita's regional programming speech. I thought it was dumb because she conflated the DCC and NEC with magnet programs that aren't part of the consortia. Describing the racial makeup of the magnet programs is not hateful or racist.

Per Rita, those who oppose regional programming whatever their reason (perhaps they want to preserve DCC and NEC), are all racist.

As a parent of color who is a huge fan of DCC, this is offensive on its face.

So to all the people who are saying o no Rita’s comment wasn’t about boundary program, it was about regional program—that’s not a defense babes. The most basic point of the article is elected officials shouldn’t call disagreement as racism. Thats not a controversial or hot take.

Try having a honest conversation with people rather than dismiss them as racist.

I agree it is stupid and distasteful to call everyone who opposed you racist, but it is not hateful towards Asians.

So racism doesn't equate to hate for you. OK.

Calling people racist isn't racism

"But indiscriminately labeling a room full of engaged parents, many of them Asian American, as racist is, at best, ironic; at worst, the very kind of conduct you claim to oppose."

What Rita said was racist - she was generally characterizing the opponents of the BOE's vote as racist. Rita put this out there and she has to own her words. It's too bad that she has never apologized for her hot mic comment.

Nope, not racism, that is absurd (by this standard I could call everyone who calls Rita Montoya (a Latina) racist, a racist - we can go on an on forever like this)

[Anonymous]

Not every insult that is mean and unfair is racist people. You can use other words to describe Montoya - performative, stupid, petty - but nobody has shared any examples of her using hateful language that is specifically about Asians

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Almost everyone on the board is an unserious person.

They are mean and petty. They don't actually understand their roles. They pretend oversight is asking questions when they are given error-ridden powerpoint presentations.

MCPS is an embarrassment, honestly. I thought it would get better with TT, but the culture of mediocrity is so entrenched that he has been subsumed into it.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a little off topic, but I am in the Viers Mill community, where there is a lot of talk about how detrimental it will be for our community to go and be the poor immigrant kids in the Woodward pyramid. Even though this will probably help our property values here, it is interesting how, even within the black/brown community, there is no perfect answer.

Do I think that Montoya should have said what she said- No. Do I think she should apologize- yes. Do I think what she said is pretty accurate of those arguing for Wootton to stay- yes, she is probably correct. Is there really a great solution for everyone in this insanely large county where every group will be happy- absolutely not.

Most people protesting this move are doing so because
1. Proximity: they are worried it is only a matter of time before they get redistricted because crown is much further for them than walkable Wootton
2. The insane gaslighting and lunacy of this process. (Brown Station: I can promise you this move was made because mcps has already made up its mind to close Ridgeview. Yet another example of decisions being “done deals” before public engagement even started)
3. Unfair: they chose to close down a majority minority school. Why do predominantly white schools get renovations but Wootton didn’t for 17+ years?



And again—regardless of how you feel about Wootton or even if you think Montoya made the comments in response to the regional program, not the boundary study, her comments are disqualifying for an elected official.

Full stop.

Condoning or putting up with this type of behavior from elected officials is why we have who we have in the White House. There’s no debate on the merits of policies and issues, just constant demagoguing

This reads the same way the writer of the op-ed writes so I suspect it's the same person. YAWN.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here is a thoughtful response to Rita Montoya's comment caught on a hot mic at the March 26th BOE meeting:

https://moderatelymoco.com/when-disagreement-becomes-racism/

I'm not following this argument that relocating Wootton "breaks up" the community. There was a boundary study that impacted a lot of high schools. The only school being taken out of Wootton is Cold Spring and I think they are fine with that.

I think it’s because they fear that Crown will be overcrowded and sooner or later they will be broken apart. Eg Parkway families become the new edge property and first one to be pushed out if and when Crown is overcrowded.

But also I think the authors point was even if you disagree with this premise, it’s not appropriate to call anyone who disagrees with you racist.

We are weaponizing racism so much to the point where it’s beginning to lack meaning.

I agree. I think it is important to be specific when calling out racism, and Montoya didn't do that when she made the hot mic comment. It makes a mockery of anti-racism to use it in this snarky and catty fashion. Unfortunately that is quite common in the anti-racist movement.

For all those ppl saying she was saying this in reference to the regional program and not boundary study, is this the best defense of Rita you can think of? Is it ever appropriate to call everyone who disagrees with you on a policy as racist? Is board member Julie Yang also racist then?

Rita’s regional programming speech was dripping in Anti-Asian hate. Rita Montoya hates Asians kids and Asian parents. We knew this before she let her mask slip.

I didn't hear any hateful language in Rita's regional programming speech. I thought it was dumb because she conflated the DCC and NEC with magnet programs that aren't part of the consortia. Describing the racial makeup of the magnet programs is not hateful or racist.

Per Rita, those who oppose regional programming whatever their reason (perhaps they want to preserve DCC and NEC), are all racist.

As a parent of color who is a huge fan of DCC, this is offensive on its face.

So to all the people who are saying o no Rita’s comment wasn’t about boundary program, it was about regional program—that’s not a defense babes. The most basic point of the article is elected officials shouldn’t call disagreement as racism. Thats not a controversial or hot take.

Try having a honest conversation with people rather than dismiss them as racist.

I agree it is stupid and distasteful to call everyone who opposed you racist, but it is not hateful towards Asians.

So racism doesn't equate to hate for you. OK.

To be honest, most racists I know don't actually hate people of other races. They just have a belief that some races are better than others. No hate behind it.

let's remember there were plenty of white people with save wootton apparel on at all the BOE meetings taking up all the testimony spots. They felt very comfortable using the Asian majority minority argument to save Wootton. But it was really to protect their insulated cluster from kids in Gaithersburg with different demographics. Same white characters rudely lecturing the BOE at every meeting and even used sponsored posts on fb from their businesses OR their political office title to save their kids from what? Kids from Gaithersburg?

[Anonymous]

Of course they are mean and petty. Everyone who is there got their by sucking up to someone else. They are not people who believe in public service. They think their job is to protect their buddies and that means discrediting anyone who opposes what their buddies want.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here is a thoughtful response to Rita Montoya's comment caught on a hot mic at the March 26th BOE meeting:

https://moderatelymoco.com/when-disagreement-becomes-racism/

I'm not following this argument that relocating Wootton "breaks up" the community. There was a boundary study that impacted a lot of high schools. The only school being taken out of Wootton is Cold Spring and I think they are fine with that.

I think it’s because they fear that Crown will be overcrowded and sooner or later they will be broken apart. Eg Parkway families become the new edge property and first one to be pushed out if and when Crown is overcrowded.

But also I think the authors point was even if you disagree with this premise, it’s not appropriate to call anyone who disagrees with you racist.

We are weaponizing racism so much to the point where it’s beginning to lack meaning.

I agree. I think it is important to be specific when calling out racism, and Montoya didn't do that when she made the hot mic comment. It makes a mockery of anti-racism to use it in this snarky and catty fashion. Unfortunately that is quite common in the anti-racist movement.

For all those ppl saying she was saying this in reference to the regional program and not boundary study, is this the best defense of Rita you can think of? Is it ever appropriate to call everyone who disagrees with you on a policy as racist? Is board member Julie Yang also racist then?

Rita’s regional programming speech was dripping in Anti-Asian hate. Rita Montoya hates Asians kids and Asian parents. We knew this before she let her mask slip.

I didn't hear any hateful language in Rita's regional programming speech. I thought it was dumb because she conflated the DCC and NEC with magnet programs that aren't part of the consortia. Describing the racial makeup of the magnet programs is not hateful or racist.

Per Rita, those who oppose regional programming whatever their reason (perhaps they want to preserve DCC and NEC), are all racist.

As a parent of color who is a huge fan of DCC, this is offensive on its face.

So to all the people who are saying o no Rita’s comment wasn’t about boundary program, it was about regional program—that’s not a defense babes. The most basic point of the article is elected officials shouldn’t call disagreement as racism. Thats not a controversial or hot take.

Try having a honest conversation with people rather than dismiss them as racist.

I agree it is stupid and distasteful to call everyone who opposed you racist, but it is not hateful towards Asians.

So racism doesn't equate to hate for you. OK.

To be honest, most racists I know don't actually hate people of other races. They just have a belief that some races are better than others. No hate behind it.

let's remember there were plenty of white people with save wootton apparel on at all the BOE meetings taking up all the testimony spots. They felt very comfortable using the Asian majority minority argument to save Wootton. But it was really to protect their insulated cluster from kids in Gaithersburg with different demographics. Same white characters rudely lecturing the BOE at every meeting and even used sponsored posts on fb from their businesses OR their political office title to save their kids from what? Kids from Gaithersburg?

Oh, you mean the ones in the red hats chanting shame on their way out after the vote?? Or the one that said move wootton over my dead body?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The entire premise of her op-ed is ridiculous. With the exception of Cold Spring, the entire existing Asian community at Wootton will move right over to the new building. She loses nothing.

She is fighting so hard against adding other students to the school, and giving them the same sort of opportunity she was given at WHS. Adding more diversity is a good thing. But I guess they are the wrong kind of immigrant.

Way to miss the point of the article.

And I'm a supporter of H, but what she said is not wrong about Montoya's racism message. Montoya should apologize. Imagine if she said something like that about Hispanic or Black parents.

Montoya was referring to voting against the regional model when she said it. It was obvious, go watch the meeting. And the writer knows that but she is desperately grasping at straws to try to stop H from going forward. Not a coincidence that she's also the lead of CEPA and filing all the lawsuits.

That makes no sense. Wootton at Crown would be in Region 4, with RM and Churchill. I don't think those parents are upset about being with RM and Churchill in the regional model.

Montoya's hot mic moment was purely about Wootton at Crown. And she should be censured for what she said.