The recent dust up at Portland City Council was not only disturbing but disappointing to see how two young female councilors of color treated Councilor Loretta Smith, a well-respected elder female councilor who has long been a warrior for justice, (“Tempers flare after Portland mayor casts first tie-breaking vote and councilors trade ‘daddy’ jabs,” July 22). Listening to Councilor Angelita Morillo tell Smith that the mayor is “your daddy” harkened back to horrible memories of slavery and the control white slave owners had over Black women. To watch Councilor Candace Avalos reach over and turn off Smith’s microphone was as if she slapped in the face every woman of color who paved the way for her to sit in that seat. Women like Avel Gordly, Margaret Carter, Jackie Winters and Jo Ann Hardesty. It was disturbing to watch, but as the late Sen. Gordly would have, Councilor Smith handled herself with grace not just for herself but for those who came before her. My hope is Morillo and Avalos find a way to lead with grace and won’t forget that those who came before them — and those who will come after them — are all watching.

News Source : https://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2026/08/readers-respond-daddy-comment-disrespects-those-who-paved-the-way.html