With KKK resolution, why bring up past injustices – Canon City Daily Record

A response to the recent article: “Resolution adopted condemning Ku Klux Klan’s history.”

First, I appreciate the introduction. Our town has an inspiring history of combating and overcoming the evil of the Ku Klux Klan. This history reveals the fact that our town has, in fact, protected all its citizens for almost 100 years. Bravo, Cañon City!

It’s good that every request for materials on the ugly KKK chapter of Cañon City’s history will also have the language of the resolution provided. The legacy of standing up for the rights of all is due to the bravery of the Constitutional Liberty League Party of Fremont County and the daily choices of generations since.

Although the article celebrates these facts, it also quotes a local woman who complained about our community. She claimed that our loving community “is not creating an atmosphere of inclusivity… [it has a] legacy of white supremacy that is still alive and well.” This is a dishonest smear. It’s also a tiresome cliché.

Our Mayor did well to reject the premise that Cañon City is not yet inclusive enough and pointed out that past problems don’t define the city now. (Thank you, Mayor Smith!)

But why are people bringing up old injustices, which were already handled generations ago? We’ve seen critical race theorists do this for years now, exploiting the charge of racism to gain power for themselves.

As Ibram Kendi wrote: “The only remedy to past discrimination is present discrimination. The only remedy to present discrimination is future discrimination.” There are Marxian activists today who claim to promote inclusion when really they are working to stoke past grievances and produce “conscientization.”

They want to call everything racist or discriminatory – where the only cure is giving power to the grievance specialists. In this case, the council was asked to have “national cultural responsivity experts” to be invited to the community to “help with this conversation.”

We’ve seen this movie before; beware Marxian Trojan Horses.

Where one’s conscience reveals true personal guilt, I would invite people to the forgiveness and hope for transformation found in surrendering to and trusting in Jesus Christ. We should all focus on promoting merit and virtue.

But the grievance studies ideology doesn’t offer any redemption or true growth – just a constant barrage of blame, struggle sessions, new grievances, reverse discrimination, and cynical agendas. Let’s not go down that path.

Heather Currado,
Cañon City

Head Start program thanks all the supporters of Safety Town, U.S.A.

The children, parents and staff of the Upper Arkansas Area Council of Governments Fremont County Head Start Program would like to thank all the individuals and organizations who assisted in presenting Safety Town USA to the children and families of Fremont County. This was the “45th  year the program has sponsored this event. Community Safety Personnel came together to donate their time, to present safety information to over 450 children and 250 adults who attended the two- and half-day event at Head Start.

This year, Safety Town was dedicated to Spectrum Communication and the Fremont County Head Start teachers for their continued support and service to the children, families, staff and the community we serve.  Spectrum Communication has been participating in Safety Town for many years and the Teachers quality Service to our children. Framed artwork, made by a Head Start child, as well as a plaque was presented during the ribbon cutting during the Safety Town Opening Ceremonies.

The Head Start Program has been serving children and families throughout Fremont County since 1967. Head Start began in the Nation in 1965.

The colors were presented by Tim Grabin, Dave McCulley, Debi Weger, Mike White and Theresa Brandt of the Canon City American Legion Post #13. The National Anthem was sung by Kizzy Riske from the GOAL Academy.  Spectrum and the Head Start Teachers then conducted the ribbon cutting, which officially opened the two- and half-day event.  In addition to the community presenters for the opening ceremony were Heather Evans, UAACOG Executive Director, Fremont County Commissioners Dwayne McFalland Kevin Grantham

We also would like to give a heartfelt thank you to all the Head Start Staff and volunteer parents for their hard work and dedication to help plan, set up, host and feed the many community participants who presented lessons on safety for young children and their families.

The following supporters provided outstanding safety information and experiences to young children, their families and teachers:

Alta, American Medical Response, American Legion Post No. 13, Atmos Energy, Big D’s Super Food, CCPD Animal Control, Cañon City Daily Record, Canon Family Dental, Colorado ELKS Association – Drug Awareness, Cañon City Fire District, Cañon City Humane Society, Cañon City Police Department, Cañon City Rotary Club, Fremont County Sheriff Department, Cañon City Re-1 school bus transportation, Colorado Operation Lifesaver,  Florence High School National Honor Society, Fremont Conservation District, Fremont County Crusader, Fremont County Sheriff Department, Fremont County Humane Officer, Fremont County Dept. Public Health and Environment, Fremont County Department of Human Services, GOAL Academy, Greater Heights program, John C. Fremont Library, Main Street Dental Care, Parents as Teachers, Red Ball, Spectrum Communication, Town of Brookside, US Foods, Valley Wide Health System, UAACOG WIC Program and Yard Expression.

Once again, we want to thank each and everyone that participated and we look forward to seeing you again next year!

Rhonda Webb,
Fremont County Head Start