In 2021, the library embarked on an effort to bring “equity, diversity and inclusion.” | Unsplash/Clay Banks
In 2021, the library embarked on an effort to bring “equity, diversity and inclusion.” | Unsplash/Clay Banks
EQuality Downers Grove’s Mary Blanchard is dismissing a library board candidate for being a “white conservative.”
Blanchard’s assessment failed to note any other aspect of the candidate’s character, instead, focusing on advocating the community to put pressure on Bob Barnett to withdraw the appointment.
“Mayor Barnett is about to appoint another white, conservative male to the library board," Blanchard said in a Facebook post. “You see, Bob likes 'balance' on his boards and the library has apparently gotten a bit too progressive for his liking so he means to fix that with this appointment. Our library is doing incredible work to help everyone in our community to feel a sense of belonging. We’ve seen how the conservative voice has worked out on the library board in the past — and have the lawsuit to prove it. The balance of power has always bent toward the power base of those that want to control the narrative. Haven't we had enough of this? If you're so inclined, drop the mayor a note to let him know how you feel. He will probably ignore you, he likes to do that too.”
Blanchard, a Pride Day spokesperson, is new to the political scene. Her most notable effort thus far has been in the planning of the city’s first Pride month, Patch reported.
EQuality Downers Pride month kicks off June 2 with an event at Skeleton Key Brewery in Woodridge.
“There will be a handful of elected officials and LGBT community organizers there and there will be BEER, lots of beer! So come out to celebrate and to support one of our local brews,” Ken Mejia-Beal, chairman of the Democratic Party of DuPage, said of the event in a Facebook post.
In 2021, the library embarked on an effort to bring “equity, diversity and inclusion.” Critics argue the buzzwords are often cloaked in ambiguity but weaponized against conservatives and aimed at leaving their voices out.
“It’s just so meaningful what the library is doing," Blanchard said of the DEI programing at the time, according to Shaw Local. "It allows people to feel more at ease in the community they live in, and that’s huge.”
Blanchard is a named supporter of DuPage County board member Liz Chaplin, according to Chaplin's campaign website.
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