After a high-school student protest and criticism from fellow public officials, New Bedford City Councilor Shawn Oliver apologized in a public statement Monday for having, a few years back, in his own words, “carelessly and thoughtlessly shared some insensitive memes that have taken away from” his goal “to bring people together and stop the division while fostering a sense of pride and community.”
Oliver had posted the memes on his Facebook account, memes that were “mocking transgender people and their advocates” and “prompted a high-school student protest and public officials’ criticism,” according to The New Bedford Light.
Reports New Bedford Light:
The three-paragraph statement released late in the afternoon expands on attempts Oliver made to make amends moments after he was sworn into office early Friday evening, as he spoke briefly with students and a local clergy member who had gathered in City Council chambers to protest the Facebook memes and Oliver’s election to the open Ward 3 seat on Feb. 28.
“When I began my candidacy I made it clear I was not a politician, just a guy who truly wanted better for New Bedford,” Oliver said in the statement that he posted to his personal Facebook page Monday and shared to his campaign page. “My goal has been to bring people together and stop the division while fostering a sense of pride and community that has faded within our city.”
Oliver, 39, a correctional officer at the maximum security state prison, MCI-Cedar Junction, and a city constable, said that a few years ago he had “carelessly and thoughtlessly shared some insensitive memes that have taken away from that message.”
He said he recognized the struggle members of the LGBTQ+ community face “with discrimination while facing abuse and fear for themselves and their rights. Although this was never my intention I do see that my actions caused harm and for that, I apologize. No one should ever feel illegitimate, afraid, or unheard. As your city councilor, I will represent all residents without prejudice.”
Oliver concluded the statement by saying he hopes this episode is a reminder that “words have meaning and that the message of fear or hurt may spread while having no intention of ever doing so. There’s a human in all of us and we all need to work together toward bridging the gap on different topics to bring back the sense of community and belonging we all deserve.”
Read the complete New Bedford Light story here.
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