Shame on Gov. LePage

Less than a month ago our communities celebrated La Kermesse ”“ a 33-year tradition honoring our French-Canadian heritage.

While my last name may be misleading, I am proudly one-half French-Canadian and one-half Irish. My mother’s family came down from Canada and worked in the textile mills of Biddeford-Saco. My maternal grandfather was the Mayor of Biddeford; my mother’s brother ”“ my uncle ”“ was a major in the U.S. Navy; and my other uncle was a leading environmentalist who tirelessly worked to clean up the Saco River. I am very proud of my French-Canadian roots.

After decades of discrimination and disparaging rhetoric, Franco-Americans have finally shed these stereotypes ”“ and instead, a movement is afoot that embraces and celebrates French-Canadians’ cultural contributions to our communities. Because of this, it is especially disconcerting that Governor Paul LePage uses the very language that perpetuates negative cultural stereotypes. His recent spate of offensive remarks degrading French-Canadians has no place in this day and age. Comments like these ”“ while untrue ”“ may have been heard 50 years ago, but this type of language is no longer acceptable.

“It’s very clear, very, very clear ”“ even I can understand it and I’m French…” ”“ Gov. LePage

“I think you’re misusing the word ”“ and that’s coming from a Frenchman…” ”“ Gov. LePage

“Even a Frenchman can be taught to cool down…” ”“ Gov. LePage

For decades, French-Canadians were discriminated against and treated as second-class citizens. At one time, it was even illegal to speak French in Maine schools. So, while some may slough off comments like these as a joke, the fact remains that words matter. And words like the ones used by Gov. LePage reinforce stereotypes, degrade civility, and cross the line.

People who hold positions of power have a choice about how to use one’s influence and the accompanying bully pulpit ”“ to unite and strengthen or to divide and conquer. Governor LePage has chosen to use his words as a weapon and his soapbox as a stage for picking winners and losers.

His recent attacks on people who have had children out of wedlock is another example of rhetoric that reinforces stereotypes and ultimately bullies a group of people. My father’s mother was 18 years old, unmarried, and poor when she gave birth to my father. My father was then raised by his grandparents in a third-floor Portland tenement with seven people sharing a two-bedroom cold water flat ”“ at a time far less forgiving of single mothers. My father went on to become a successful and hard working attorney. He owned his own businesses and even got his pilot’s license. Best, he never forgot where he came from. He led by example and was always quick to lend a hand to someone in need.

What kind of signal is Gov. LePage sending to a child growing up in poverty or to the thousands of French-Canadian Mainers? I stand firmly against Gov. LePage’s shaming, stereotyping and bullying language. It is unacceptable and not fitting of any citizen ”“ and the governor should not be held to a different standard.

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