If you’ve ever regretted sending an e-mail, you’ve got a good idea about how Watsonville Councilman Manuel Bersamin feels about now.
Bersamin probably didn’t think that the e-mail would become public. He admits to not completely thinking through the content. Thursday, two days after a story about what’s been called a “racially divisive” e-mail appeared in the Sentinel, Bersamin delivered a letter to the editor via e-mail.
The letter apologizes to his colleagues on the council, to the city staff and to the community for the e-mail sent in hopes of disuading a band from playing at a rival berry festival in August. ( Click on the “Playing the race card” link at the right under Recent Posts to read Bersamin’s original e-mail.)
“Mainly my reason for writing (the letter to the Sentinel) was that I wanted to say to the people of Watsonville I’m sorry if it came off like I’m just pro-Latino, which I am not,” Bersamin said.
Here is the letter to the editor, dated July 23:
Dear Editor:
Everyone has, at one time or another, sent an email they regret. My email to Dr. Gonzalez, Malo’s manager, is one that I wrote with passion and love for my community, but it is also one that I regret sending because it does not reflect my compassion for the community as a whole.
In retrospect, the language used does not accurately reflect my true feelings about the diverse Watsonville community and the complex history of the Pajaro Valley, nor does it reflect how I feel about the Watsonville community with its great diversity of culture.
I apologize that my email has cause the City Council, City staff and the Watsonville community to be distracted from what should be our top priorities. With the worst economic situation in California history happening right now, we really need to focus on the ramifications of the just approved State budget and its resulting terrible impact on our local community. We need to focus on the priority of finding creative ways for the community to survive the economic downturn affecting our city, state and country.
Again I apologize for any of the negative effects that my email may have caused, and I wish both Strawberry Festivals much success.
Sincerely,
Manuel Quintero Bersamin
City Council, District 1
Hi Manuel,
I noticed that you apologized to everyone but me…
The person who you committed the crime against…and make No Mistake about it…what you did was criminal…
I might have forgiven you if this was the only crime you committed against me…but it was not..
All you did was try to justify…an unjustifiable position…
That in my book…is Not an Apology…
Its just you…giving me…another slap across the face…
Apology…Not Accepted…
If you are a Man of your word…and you are really sorry…Call Me and apologize in person…You know my number…
It is really sad to see a person who represents Watsonville write such a disturbing letter. To write an I’m sorry letter after the fact when all his fellow councilmen were upset now means nothing to the public. It was very clear in that letter his main purpose for Watsonville and he talked only of representing the Latino community. There are many cultures in Watsonville and all should be represented. I’m sure many other cultures such as myself was offended by such a letter. This turned into a competition not what it was meant to be. This letter has now made me want to support the Strawberry festival at the fairgrounds ! I agree and Mauel Berseamin should give his letter of resignation and should feel real shame.
Mr. Bersamin,
Your apology does not mean much to me, as an “anglo” living, voting, and paying taxes in Watsonville. Your true colors have shown. Good luck in supporting the “raza”, just please don’t do it from the city council anymore. I never voted for you, and now I never will!
Testing 1,2,3…
Well it just seemns to me that being biased towards one ethinicity or another , no matter which ethinicty , is just as dis favorable as being racist ,, Racist Biased the result is the same !!!!!
Isnt that6 the basis of affirmitive action ???? i theory that over time has disproved itself as causing more damage than equalization !!!!! racism is racism no matter how you try and word it , This councilman should be ashamed of himself , on one point for OBVIOUSLY being a racist and on the other point for trying to justify it .