August 13, 2020
Dear Editor,
First, I’d like to include a content warning that I’ll be briefly mentioning sexual misconduct and abuse of power.
I’m writing in regard to the recent controversy surrounding Alex Morse and the College Democrats of Massachusetts (with whom the Mount Holyoke College Democrats are affiliated). Recently, the University of Massachusetts Democrats sent a letter to the Massachusetts Daily Collegian, UMass’ newspaper, with allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse of power by Alex Morse, the current mayor of Holyoke and a congressional candidate. The allegations stated that Morse was involved in sexual misconduct and abuse of power towards UMass Amherst students. MHC Democrats, Amherst College Democrats, and the Massachusetts College Democrats swiftly followed (within one day) with their own condemnations of Morse and the campaign. However, less than a week later, evidence has come to light that these allegations were at best misleading and at worst downright false accusations used in an effort to sink Morse’s campaign. There are many articles surrounding this topic, so I won’t bore you with any more details. However, what I do have contention with is Massachusetts College Democrats’ and, more specifically, MHC Democrats’ handling of this issue.
Over the past day, I’ve contacted the MHC Democrats asking for a revised statement regarding the allegations against Morse in light of the new evidence. They responded that they’re taking time to speak with the community of college democrats and clarify information before they publicly announce anything.
While I do appreciate the concern for clarity in this matter and commend the MHC Democrats for taking all allegations of sexual misconduct very seriously (as they should), I’m writing this letter to implore the MHC Democrats to just as swiftly condemn instances of homophobia and attacks on the Queer community. I understand that information is still being clarified, but for those of us in the MHC Democrats (and greater MHC community) who identify as Queer, the attack on Morse, fueled by homophobic stereotypes, is hurtful and dangerous. The instant response towards Morse’s original allegations were swift (and without time to “clarify information” or “look into the allegations”), while an update in response to recent evidence (showing that the UMass Democrats planned this attack) as well as Morse’s statement seems to be lacking urgency.
The Democratic Party, especially in Massachusetts, has long prided itself on championing the causes of the LGBTQ+ community, but I am disappointed, to say the least, that the College Democrats of Massachusetts is perpetuating homophobic stereotypes and weaponizing them to harm a candidate. MHC is also supposed to be a safe space, especially for the Queer community, and to see MHC Democrats taking so much time to respond to homophobia is frustrating. I’m hopeful we will see a condemnation of homophobia and updated statement from MHC Democrats soon, but four days after Morse’s statement regarding the allegation and more than a day after new articles have been published explaining how UMass Democrats planned to destroy Morse’s campaign using homophobic stereotypes, all I’ve heard from MHC Democrats is resounding silence.
Best,
Chisato Kimura ’22