Removal of Nichols not about political correctness, but about

what’s right

Recently, when a Daily Pilot reporter spoke with Newport Beach City

Councilman Richard Nichols relative to beach improvements to be made

at Corona del Mar State Beach, Nichols stated “with grass, we usually

get Mexicans coming in there early in the morning, and they claim it

as theirs, and it becomes their personal, private grounds all day.”

Nichols says his comments were taken out of context, although when

I spoke with him, he stated that he actually did use those words. I

stated to him that, in my opinion, what he said was extremely

offensive and insensitive to a particular nationality and was adverse

to the best interests of this city. After a further in-depth

discussion, I suggested he resign his position on the City Council.

The entire City Council has now asked Nichols to resign, and one

resident has already begun recall proceedings against him. The

purpose of this article is to set forth a brief review of the events

that occurred and also discuss facts, misconceptions and a few myths.

Interestingly, there are some who feel Nichols’ comments were

appropriate. If you have been reading the letters to the Daily Pilot,

these folks support Nichols because “he speaks his mind and he speaks

the truth” and “by the way, what is the big deal, the Mexicans do

take over the beach.” So, since it’s “true,” what’s all the fuss? We

also hear from some that my colleagues and I have asked Nichols for

his resignation simply because it is politically correct and we want

to be everything for everybody, so to speak.

It is inappropriate to characterize people by their ethnicity. For

those who disagree, I would simply ask you to take Nichols’ comment

and remove the word Mexican and replace it with African Americans,

Asians, Jews, Catholics, Christians, Mormons and keep on going until

you run out of virtually every identifiable ethnicity or religion.

Anyway you look at it, it is wrong. Now, try the word “people,” and

see if that changes your opinion.

My comments and the comments of the other council members were not

made out of political correctness or pressure. To the contrary, four

of us asked for his resignation the same day the story broke in the

Daily Pilot, prior to being contacted by anyone. Our actions thus far

come from common sense, logic and most of all, decency as well as

respect for human beings.

Speaking one’s mind is a good thing, however, when you are a

public official, to attack a particular ethnicity based on their

behavior is simply wrong and unacceptable in today’s civilized

society. This is not the first instance that Nichols referenced

“Mexicans” in a derogatory manner. The use of the word Mexican by

itself is not derogatory, as it is descriptive and identifies

ethnicity. However, that changes when the word Mexican becomes

pejorative.

Nichols appeared before a public audience when the topic of a

proposed development at Banning Ranch was discussed. He said that if

a high school was built in that area, only Mexicans would go there,

because the white kids would be afraid to. He stood in front of the

City Council in December 2002, after he had been elected, but not

sworn in, referencing a traffic accident that occurred in Corona del

Mar on Coast Highway. He made reference to “a Mexican” that caused

the accident, although he subsequently admitted that he had no idea

what the nationality of the individual involved in the accident

really was. He also stated, “You know, it’s the Mexicans that do

these phony accident rings and rip off the white people.” When I

asked him how he knew that, he simply said, “Who else would do it?” I

asked him if he had a problem with Mexicans. He said he did not.

The problem we have here is Nichols identifies minorities in a

derogatory manner and in a very casual way. He does it as common as

if I were to say to you “how are you doing today.” And I will submit

to you that reasonable people do not subscribe to this type of

conduct and that reasonable people are the strong majority that lives

in this city, and we are hearing from them very loudly. I really

don’t believe that the few people supporting Nichols are racists or

bigots. I also realize that these supporters were not aware of

Nichols’ prior derogatory comments. I know this because I have

corresponded and spoken with so many of them.

Here’s to tolerance.

* STEVE BROMBERG is the mayor of Newport Beach.