Hold events that are respectful

Irecently attended a town hall on Colorado’s 2021 legislative priorities moderated by Joey Bunch, of Colorado Politics, and Marshall Zelinger, of 9News.

As someone who has attended her fair share of political events, this one stood out to me for being especially closed of f to its constituents.

Town hall meetings are events where politicians or public of ficials answer questions from members of the public, so it was confusing when the event was dominated by questions that had been prerecorded by individuals who, as Bunch put it, were friends of the moderators.

After an objection from an audience member, the representatives did begin to answer participant questions.

A constituent asked how legislators are planning to stand up for women in relation to the disproportionate impacts the pandemic has had on them.

Bunch directed this question toward House Minority Leader Hugh Mckean by asking, “Mckean, you like women, what are you going to do about this issue?”

To hear the question phrased in this way made my skin crawl. The impact this pandemic is having on women in the workforce should not be joked about in relation to their “likability.”

It was very off-putting to hear this comment in what should have been a professional setting. I expected more from the moderator and legislators attending this event than to stand by and let that comment go by without reprimand.

The entire event felt unprofessional and more of a grab for news attention as opposed to a true town hall.

As a young person who was hoping to get her ideas heard prior to the upcoming legislative session, I am rather disappointed.

I hope that lawmakers and moderators will take their jobs seriously and commit to holding more respectful events where constituents can truly have their voices heard.

ZOE BARLEY

Boulder