Words matter, especially when they come from lawmakers debating and shaping public policy.
That’s the lesson state Sen. Leonard Christian, R-Spokane, hopefully has learned.
Earlier this month, Christian used a derogatory word to describe people with developmental disabilities during a debate on House Bill 1390. “I guess I need a list of words I cannot say. That would be helpful to me,” he told Lt. Gov. Denny Heck, president of the Senate. “We’re moving these folks who have sexual violent tendencies in with a group that doesn’t, who maybe can’t understand or can’t protect themselves.”
The bill, which is now on Gov. Bob Ferguson’s desk, would eliminate the Community Protection Program, which is for people with developmental disabilities who have a history of aggressive sexual behavior. Those participants would be integrated into other programs and services with other people with disabilities but without serious criminal backgrounds.
Christian’s intentional use of the word can’t be defended, though Christian tried. He said he chose that word purposefully to reinforce his view on the legislation, and to garner negative media attention to what he called a bad bill.
“I needed to do something to draw media attention to this bill and that’s the option I chose. It was not meant to be mean or ignorant or anything else. This was the only option left in my toolbox,” Christian said. He added that despite the dozens of calls from people who disagreed with his approach, including many Republican Party leaders, he’d do it again if it meant protecting vulnerable people. He said his fear was that people with histories of sexual violence would be with people who could fall victim to them.
Essentially, Christian suggests he exploited a group of people with disabilities in order to protect them. That rationale is disturbing, especially since he is the ranking member of the Human Services Committee.
As a society, we have evolved, politically and socially. And we expect those who represent us in shaping public policy do so as well. Christian demonstrates he is not there yet.
