One would think that the Mayor of Las Cruces would be able to recognize, at least be familiar with, the historically ingrained bigotry in and about Las Cruces, plus that supporting baggage dragged in by all the favored newcomers. From his comments recently reported in the weekly folksy/newsy My Las Cruces for Black History Month, Mayor Miyagishima appears to only recognize color as the only category subject to local, state, and national bigotry.
When Mayor Miyagishima stated, "....Las Cruces is probably one of the most tolerant cities in New Mexico.", he apparently forgot his personal mayoral plaques he hands out. The ones with the white rays of light emanating from the center cross of the three undeniably Christian Trinitarian crosses. Also forgotten in that statement is the recent well-known history of Las Cruces, when the local faith-biased mob leaders guided the federal court, to deprive the plaintiffs especially, and many other citizens, of their civil liberties. That cloud still hangs over the city, not to be removed by additional Latin crosses.
His silence can still be heard when the Latin crosses were put on the three sides of the purposefully-built tower of the new City Hall. Mayor Miyagishima was there when the building was strangely inscribed "City of Las Cruces City Hall," which intones the English translation of the Spanish "Ciudad de Las Cruces (City of the Crosses)," and that keeps at least half of the bigots happy.
It's obvious Mayor Miyagishima just doesn't get it.
