Houston Councilman Ramirez Quotes MLK, But Silent On His Party Supporting Insurrection

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Below is a Martin Luther King quote Republican Houston City Councilmember Julian Ramirez used on Facebook to mark MLK Day. 

“People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other because they have not communicated with each other, and they don’t communicate with each other because they are separated from each other.” Martin Luther King, Jr., Cornell College, Mount Vernon, Iowa, Oct. 15, 1962. 

That's all fine. But Mr. Ramirez is a Republican endorsed by the Harris County Republican Party. Harris County Republicans are very much a party of Greg Abbott and Donald Trump.

Bipartisanship is important. We must be able to work across the aisle. But there must be a bottom line of humanity and support for democracy. Councilmember Ramirez might meet those standards. I had a conversation with him over the summer and he seemed possibly reasonable.

Yet Mr. Ramirez is part of an extremist organization,--The Republican Party--and we are right to insist he speak up about today's cruel and authoritarian Republican Party. (Above is a picture I took of Mr. Ramirez talking to a Houstonian.)           

Here is another thing MLK said:

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. The true neighbor will risk his position, his prestige, and even his life for the welfare of others.”

Councilmember Ramirez everyday has the opportunity make to clear that Greg Abbott saying he'd shoot migrants if he could get away with it is wrong, and that Donald Trump is the wrong person to lead the Republican Party and be President of the United States.    

If Councilmember Ramirez would speak and act with courage, then he would indeed reflect the life and mission of Martin Luther King.     

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