Hamtramck 'Rights' law covers far more that state and fed laws

7/30/08

There seems to be a lot of confusion regarding Hamtramck's Human Rights ordinance and the people that it protects.

Reading a Letter to the Editor in last weeks edition of The Citizen, there were claims that this ordinance is “frivolous” and “misguided.”  Well, the author of that letter is entitled to his opinion, but the one statement that I couldn’t let go untouched was the false claim that “there are already state and federal laws in place protecting all citizens in regards to civil rights issues.”

 In simple terms, not true.  This ordinance covers a wide range of societal classes currently not covered under state and federal laws.  It provides protections not just for a woman who is Muslim, but for a woman who is a pregnant Muslim.  Not just for people who are renters, but for people who are gay renters.  These are just two examples of the 10-plus protections not covered under state and federal laws.

Now whether you think it is “frivolous” or “misguided” is again, your opinion.  But I think it would be safe to assume that you have never been pregnant, aren’t gay, have all of your fingers and toes, and don’t carry a Bridge Card.

And it seemed so easy for you to point the finger at Councilmember Scott Klein and cry "personal agenda!"  What you may not know is that there are numerous citizens in Hamtramck actively supporting the ordinance -- not because they know Scott Klein personally, but because they believe in respect, empathy, dignity and fairness.  Who deserves more clout than the unfortunate: the distant influence of Midland, MI-based Gary Glenn - who probably doesn't even know how to say Ham-tram-ck?

I think that the citizens of Hamtramck are smart enough to remember their struggles to gain basic human rights recognition.  On Nov. 4, I believe the citizens of Hamtramck will leave the drawbridge down for others to cross and allow them to enjoy the same basic human rights – to be afforded the same values of justice and fairness – that they themselves enjoy today.

Richard Lee Sparks

Hamtramck