Forcing Councilor Davis to resign isn’t progressive

(RE:) “PROGRESSIVE group wants Davis to resign” Albuquerque Journal, June 26.

To me, the word “progressive” refers to a process of introspection, selfawareness, growth and change. It seems to me that (Albuquerque City Councilor) Pat Davis exemplifies someone who follows this process.

Like all Americans, Davis was raised in a culture steeped in institutional and systemic racism, sexism, homophobia and authoritarianism. Overcoming the largely silent indoctrination into these pernicious cultural influences is a difficult and life-long endeavor which is, or should be, a bedrock guiding principle of the world view called “progressivism.”

Still another unfortunate aspect of American culture is the propensity to fix the blame and punish, with the solutions on offer, prison and banishment, being the two favorites. Progressive people should reject this authoritarian practice. Neither prison nor banishment has been a successful way to produce human transformation. Progressives should know that and should, instead, encourage and support individuals who have demonstrated the willingness and ability to redeem themselves.

It appears to me that Davis has overcome much of the indoctrination, acknowledging harm he caused before learning better — transformation. He’s not just talked the talk; he’s walked the walk. The call for him to resign is precisely the result progressives should reject.

ANNE KASS Albuquerque