We’ve been incensed over the hateful anti-gay mailer attacking Ken Herndon during the May primary for several weeks now. So what you’re about to read is probably not too surprising. But it’s come to our attention that C-FAIR, the Louisville Fairness organization, is attempting to paint Ken Herndon as something he’s clearly not: a racist bigot.
What complete horse shiz.
Important: Read about and see the mailer HERE. Read the interesting story surrounding the mailer HERE.
Fairness is up in arms that George Unseld is connected to the mail piece (via his buddy Denise Bentley). And because there’s evidence that potentially connects Unseld to the piece either directly or indirectly, they feel the need to cry racism. Sorry, but that doesn’t fly in this instance. C-FAIR can get over it.
Carla Wallace, the woman who co-founded Fairness with Ken Herndon (and whose father gave $1 million in the form of an endowment), has made it no secret that she opposed Herndon’s candidacy in favor of Unseld because Unseld was an original fairness supporter. That’s all fine and dandy. But now she and others at Fairness/C-FAIR are taking things a step further by reaching out to members of the media and prominent gay folks in the community in an attempt to demonize Ken Herndon. Classic move of character assassination.
Read the rest of this big, hot mess after the jump…
We have confirmed with several print and television journalists that Wallace has made interesting if not disparaging remarks about Herndon via email and telephone. And we’ve seen messages left by members of C-FAIR/Fairness posted on websites such as Facebook that call into question the integrity of news reports about the whole situation.
We thought that was everything until the C-FAIR/Fairness June newsletter was thrown at us. Plastered on the front page is a strange editorial attacking Ken Herndon for speaking out and questioning his opponent (who took more than 48 hours to decide whether or not he wanted to address the hate piece) and his opponent’s political machinery– which involves Denise Bentley, who has a history of being involved in distasteful attacks, as we’ve mentioned in other stories about this matter.
Take a look (PDF link) for yourself:
Together We Must Combate Divisive Tactics of Homophobia and Racism
The fanatical right mines festering cesspools of homophobia and racism to divide people who in fact share a need to work together if any of us are to be truly free.
The vicious anti-gay attack literature aimed at Metro Council candidate Ken Herndon is one of the more despicable pages out of the anti-gay playbook, serving to keep homophobia alive and well as a tool to deny people equality. Unfortunately, Herndon’s response to this attack, handing out literature door to door blaming his opponent, longtime Fairness supporter and CFAIR endorsee George Unseld for the anti-gay hate mail, plays right into the anti-gay ‘divide and conquer menu’ as well.
Ever since it’s founding in 1991, the Fairness Campaign has been committed to winning LGBT rights through community building across lines of difference, a winning strategy that has expanded justice for all.
Anchored in the inclusive vision best expressed by Martin Luther King’s when he taught us that we are “inextricably linked in a web of mutuality,” we have been able to win some of the strongest, most inclusive protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in the country. We have done so understanding that if we are to honor the diversity WITHIN the LGBT community, and build coalitions that grow people power, we must recognize that the battle against homophobia is interconnected with all struggles for social justice, and the struggle against racism in particular.
For some reason, C-FAIR/Fairness harbors bitterness toward Ken Herndon (referenced here in their endorsement of Unseld, barely mentioning Ken or that he was co-founder of the organization OR openly gay). We don’t care why. It’s not important. What’s important is that the organization STOP this crap immediately. We could go on for days about the unrest in the community re: Fairness, but we’ll save it for another time. Suffice to say: No one is happy that Fairness is partaking in such childish behavior while slowly withering away to nothing.
C-FAIR/Fairness has done nothing to help uncover the party or parties responsible (ask us who we think paid for it! you’ll choke) for the Herndon mailing, despite assurances made by Fairness folks– including Carla Wallace– to many prominent supporters of the organization in the community. Now that supporters are fired up and complaining, they’re holding a “dialogue session” to “talk” about things. All right for some CYA, kids. We’re nearly certain the event will be a ‘paint Ken Herndon as racist’ bitch session on Fairness’ part. Beautiful.
Mainly because of the opening paragraph of the email announcing this:
We appreciate you sharing your thoughts and concerns with Fairness Campaign and CFAIR Leaders about the vicious anti-gay attacks and divisive attitudes played out within our community.
Note the use of “within our community” – as in, another attempt to paint Ken Herndon has racist.
The “dialogue” is set to take place:
Tuesday June 24, 2008
7pm at Central Presbyterian Church
318 W Kentucky St
Louisville, KY 40203
We encourage our readership to show up. Even if you’ve never been involved. Even if you don’t particularly care about homophobia and equality. Ask questions. Find out why there is an organized movement to silence critics, why big dogs within Fairness have attempted to paint Ken Herndon as a racist, why the organization has attempted to keep the media from reporting on the issue.
Maybe ask questions about why Fairness would continue to support Unseld and his ilk who are literally spreading the myth that Herndon is responsible for the mailing, which is absolutely ludicrous. Or ask questions about why the Fairness board met with Unseld and Bentley last evening but won’t even talk to Ken Herndon.
Fairness should be focused on EQUALITY, not division, not character assassination, not good old boy politics. It’s time the organization is held responsible.
P.S. If you have information about the Herndon mailer? Don’t bother with Fairness. Get in touch with us or LEO. We’ll promptly file the appropriate legal complaints and get law enforcement involved. C-FAIR/Fairness has proved once and for all it is not capable of addressing issues like equality and fairness.
16 responses so far ↓
1 Sam Marcosson // Jun 23, 2008 at 2:24 pm
As a member of the Fairness Campaign’s Board, but speaking only for myself, I will refrain from trying to respond to all of the misstatements and misleading comments in this blog. I will say only this much, in response to this question:
Or ask questions about why the Fairness board met with Unseld and Bentley last evening but won’t even talk to Ken Herndon.
The answer is quite simple. George Unseld asked to meet with us; we were happy to oblige. Had Ken Herndon expressed a desire to meet — at any time since the primary — we’d have gladly done so. Several members of the Board have reached out to him, including (but not limited to) an invitation to the forum at Central Presbyterian, which he has rejected. We remain open to such a meeting, since our real goal is to move forward and bring the community together in the best, most positive way possible. The real facts about what CFAIR and Fairness have done will show that clearly. Attacking each other does nothing but sow discord and help our right-wing enemies divide us.
2 Jill // Jun 23, 2008 at 2:30 pm
The Fairness campaign has lost my respect. To insinuate that Herndon is a racist is disgusting. If Fairness is willing insinuate that about one person, then they do not deserve the title Fairness campaign. They have forgotten where they come from. They are nothing more than a joke and have lost all respect. People tire of this type of bull.
I hope whoever did this crap is found and exposed. It would be nice to see happen.
3 jake // Jun 23, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Bullshit.
Would you like me to start publishing private emails and all that jazz that back up everything I’ve said? I’d be more than happy to do so. I’d also be more than happy to publish screenshots of various comments left by Fairness folks that attempt to discredit the entire Herndon story.
Don’t try to pull this bullshit. I’m not impressed. What have I published that is untrue? Back your claims up. I back mine up.
If Fairness really cared about ending this whole crappy situation, you would back up Carla’s promise that Fairness would participate financially in the investigation process. No dice.
If Fairness really cared about ending this whole crappy situation, Fairness wouldn’t be functioning as an arm of the Unseld-Bentley defense mechanism.
There are some interesting connections that run throughout this whole situation in the 6th District and Fairness isn’t going to be pleased once everything is pieced together and published. Mark my words. You will have egg on your face.
4 Sam Marcosson // Jun 23, 2008 at 4:17 pm
“Fairness isn’t going to be pleased once everything is pieced together and published. Mark my words. You will have egg on your face.”
Do you think I care about that? You are quite wrong if you do. I couldn’t care less whether it makes me or anyone else look bad if and when the truth comes out. I would like nothing more — nothing — than to learn who was responsible for the flyer and to hold those homophobic bigots up to the public scorn (and worse) they deserve. If it was people who have lied to my face when they told me they weren’t responsible, so be it. They need to be held accountable, and the consequences be damned.
But I also believe that throwing around unfounded accusations is divisive, unfair, and wrong. So if you have proof — not innuendo, proof — that anyone in particular was responsible for what was done to Ken Herndon, then bring it forward. Because these are serious charges, serious enough that a person’s reputation shouldn’t be ruined without proof. But so far, no one has done anything more than make accusations backed up with . . . nothing.
But hey, you seem to know who is responsible, and you say you can back up everything you claim with hard and fast proof. Which makes it pretty ironic that you accuse the Fairness Campaign of not investigating — since you apparently already have the evidence yourself but have decided not to share it with the rest of the world.
5 jake // Jun 23, 2008 at 4:26 pm
None of the accusations I have made are unfounded or wrong.
And for the record, “several” from the Board haven’t contacted Ken about anything. I know because I just confirmed it with Ken, who was kind enough to answer my questions.
Like we said in the original story, we have more than suspicion to go on. Once we have solid evidence about who is 100% responsible, we’ll go with it. As for everything else I’ve said, I have stuff to back me up. As do other media outlets.
Further, for Fairness to paint Ken as racist and to drag this whole thing out while Carla is busy contacting members of the media to disparage Ken and discourage stories about this matter is horse shit.
Dozens of people from the Kentucky Fairness Alliance and members of the local Fairness Campaign are foaming at the mouth. They’re wholly incensed at the situation so I’m betting tomorrow’s little meeting won’t go over so swell.
6 Montgomery // Jun 23, 2008 at 7:59 pm
First off, I’d like to say that I am not affiliated with C-FAIR, Fairness, PageOne, Ken Herndon, George Unseld, or any party implicated in this struggle. I have no ties, personal or political, to the 6th District or to the City of Louisville for that matter.
With that said, I see no REAL evidence in any of the claims made in this blog. The excerpt from the Fairness June newsletter points no fingers to Herndon being a racist bigot. Quite the opposite.
“Unfortunately, Herndon’s response to this attack, handing out literature door to door blaming his opponent, longtime Fairness supporter and CFAIR endorsee George Unseld for the anti-gay hate mail, plays right into the anti-gay ‘divide and conquer menu’ as well.”
Fairness even states that the authors of the hate mail wish to lable Unseld and Herndon as homophobic and racist, respectively. Infact, the majority of the article centers around LGBT issues, not racial issues. The newsletter takes a stance that Herndon’s response may not of been the best of responses by pointing the finger to the conveient opponent.
As for your divulgence of the first paragraph of the e-mail announcement:
“We appreciate you sharing your thoughts and concerns with Fairness Campaign and CFAIR Leaders about the vicious anti-gay attacks and divisive attitudes played out within our community.”
Do you really want to split hairs about diction? How would YOU rewrite that statement to frame it in a “positive” light. Please explain how that sentence paints Ken Herndon as racist. You think that because Fairness says “our community” they instantantly connect that community to the black community. What happened to every other group of people residing in the 6th district? You are perpetuating the divide by not allowing a bridge to be built. This election is not a race for the black community or the gay community. It is a race for the betterment of the 6th District and instead of focusing on the issues, both parties are forced to turn their attention accusations made from outside and inside affiliates.
“If Fairness really cared about ending this whole crappy situation, Fairness wouldn’t be functioning as an arm of the Unseld-Bentley defense mechanism.”
Isn’t that the point of an endorsement? To defend their candidate against malicious implications? Furthermore, why should Fairness be forced to state anything at all about Ken Herndon in their endorsement of George Unseld. The focus of the article is SUPPOSED to be about their endorsee, not his opponent. They did an honorable thing mentioning Herndon’s involvement with Fairness as well. It should be up to Herndon’s endorsers to reveal his politcal stance and accomplishments.
Rather than perpetuate this divide with malicous implications, why don’t you be constructive and provide evidence. If you truly feel that Fairness and C-FAIR wish to portray Ken Herndon as racists, try proving your argument instead of just stating that it is because it is.
7 jake // Jun 23, 2008 at 8:04 pm
Thanks for hiding behind anonymity.
Also, you’d need to read more than just my comments in this post in order to have a complete understanding of the situation at hand. Have you read all of our stories? All of the LEO coverage? Seen all of the television coverage in Louisville? Spoken to parties involved?
Yeah, doubtful.
I appreciate your skepticism, but I recommend digging a little deeper before assuming we’re perpetuating some sort of divide amongst the gays.
8 Jeff // Jun 23, 2008 at 8:10 pm
post the screen shots
9 Montgomery // Jun 23, 2008 at 8:35 pm
So anonymity is ok when it shrouds the identity of one your supporters, but for someone who holds a different view, its frowned upon?
There is nothing anonymous about me. I am a 21 year old resident of central-southern Indiana who honestly has no ties to any party in question and happens to have the name Montgomery. Or do you not want the input of the public? Afterall, thats who this matter affects the most.
I am fully aware of the situation at hand. I too have done my research. I would suggest you follow your own advice and speak to affiliates of C-FAIR and Fairness. If you are going to accuse me of being onesided, you should be cautious to not be onesided yourself.
I do appreciate that once again you have responded with no real support of your claims or answers to questions posed. Once again you have dodged the real issue and turned your nose up, saying “I’m right; you’re wrong; deal with it.”
Finally, not once did I say you were perpetuating a divide amongst the gays. Perhaps you should, again, read a little more carefully and you’ll see that I say you are perpetuating a divide between race and LGBT. I say that you are helping people look skin deep at the candidates and forgetting what really matters.
10 jake // Jun 23, 2008 at 8:43 pm
Here’s one of the more innocent ones. A message posted at a Facebook group by a member of the Fairness Campaign that questions the integrity of LEO reporter Phillip Bailey and the story about the situation.
The position of Fairness has been to act as if it was terrible for LEO to publish the story. I believe Carla said to LEO something similar, that I’m sure the paper’s editor can confirm.
P.S. Digging deeper than those affiliated with C-FAIR and Fairness is necessary. If for nothing else than to understand the various back stories. And having no ties to the situation makes it almost impossible for you to have a full understanding of the situation.
Further, I get to reveal information when I want to reveal information. This is a blog, so, we don’t abide by rules of traditional journalism… meaning we’ll reveal things when it’s beneficial for us to do so.
And, yes, attacking with anonymity is worse than saying something positive without it. If you can’t sign your name when attacking– especially when you admit you have no ties to the situation– I’m a whole lot less likely to take you seriously.
11 travis spears // Jun 23, 2008 at 8:52 pm
ok as a gay white male who dates/sleeps/has sex on a regular basis with a gay black male, i try not to be racist just to keep peace in the family. but also as a gay white male, i am interested in joing a fairness type organization whose first main goal is the advancement of freedoms and rights for gay males without having to be filtered through the advancement of freedoms and rights for african-americans (including the one i sleep with) and females (which ive never slept with), even though there is nothing wrong with a group doing these other things. i just want my own group for my kind of people, some exclusivety. are there any in louisville or southern indiana?
12 Montgomery // Jun 23, 2008 at 8:53 pm
Thank you for putting the “truth” before everthing else, especially your own personal gain.
Signed,
Mongtomery
13 Montgomery // Jun 23, 2008 at 8:55 pm
The Human Rights Campaign focuses on LGBT issues, unfortunately I do not know if Louisville holds a headquaters. I could very well be wrong though.
14 jake // Jun 23, 2008 at 8:55 pm
What’s true doesn’t, unfortunately, get to be determined by you. And just because you disagree with something? Doesn’t mean it’s not true or factual. Deal with it.
Regular readers of this site know better.
15 Montgomery // Jun 23, 2008 at 8:59 pm
I’m sorry, let me clarify.
That statement was in response to:
“Further, I get to reveal information when I want to reveal information. This is a blog, so, we don’t abide by rules of traditional journalism… meaning we’ll reveal things when it’s beneficial for us to do so.”
16 Terri // Jun 23, 2008 at 9:56 pm
Damn, Travis! WTF? Ever hear of a thing called intersectionality? Oy vey!
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