In the same way I appreciate the muscle-headed 20-something men who openly refer to Mexicans as “beaners” and the neo-nazi white supremacists with SS or Celtic crosses visibly tattooed on their bodies, I appreciate Hector Gastelum.
Gastelum, an Otay Water District board member elected to his position this past November, has a documented history of saying things that could be interpreted as bigoted, prejudiced, ignorant and Islamaphobic.
And while I’ve always disagreed with — and laughed at — his simple-minded, intellectually lazy and stunningly vacuous pronouncements on cultural and social issues, I’ve appreciated his willingness to state his opinions openly. As with racists, homophobes and others who openly demonstrate their intolerance and hate, at least I know where I stand with them. I know whether to cross the street, plug my ears, ignore them or engage in conversation.
That Gastelum, a Republican who has run for public office before, including Chula Vista City Council, finds himself the object of derision and on the receiving end of calls for his resignation is not a surprise.
The tone of his recent comments on social media, referencing Muslims as “#subhuman” and “#scum” and indicating Islam is not “compatible with any form of #civilsociety #equality” is nothing new. Gastelum has for years on social media casually made references to black protestors as thugs and monsters while referring to undocumented immigrants as “illegals.”
Late last year when I pressed Gastelum to elaborate on his position that all Muslims should be vetted [a conversation in which he ultimately told me go make love to myself], he clarified he meant Muslim immigrants new to this country. He also revealed that he feared Muslims because “they blow up.”
Anyone who might be tempted to defend Gastelum for making clumsy remarks because he is not accustomed to public life and cannot distinguish between public and private comments would be foolish. Gastelum has chased public office long enough — even previously serving under a current Chula Vista city councilman — to know how the political game is played. In politics you keep your less than popular beliefs to yourself so as to not offend anyone and to advance your career and your party’s goals.
Or, like Gastelum, you don’t. You put it all out there and you let people decide if they want you or don’t. If they should cross the street or plug their ears when they see you coming. Again, I appreciate knowing who among us is prejudiced, bigoted or racist. You can’t fight hate, ignorance and intolerance unless it shows its face.
So now that more people know who Gastelum is and what he believes, the question is what will they do with that information?
