All year I have struggled to get through to Representative Richard Hudson of Cabarrus County about what seems a blatant disregard for constituents who don’t happen to be Christian. I live here and my congregation has called Cabarrus County home for over a dozen years.
My struggle began last February, when I received a newsletter from Representative Hudson. He began by describing a meeting with in which he was “struck” by President Donald Trump’s statement that “he was blessed to be raised in a ‘churched home.’” In the very next sentences, Hudson went on to say this:
“At a time when our country faces serious challenges, I believe it’s critical that we unite in placing our trust in the Lord and put the interests of the American people first.”
Hudson first touted the value of a presumably devout and Christian president and then seemed to assume that every one of his constituents should share his faith.
I wrote him. Did my representative acknowledge that his constituents included people of other faiths? Was Representative Hudson insisting that atheist constituents follow his lead in “placing our trust in the Lord”?
I wrote five times about this matter. I never received an answer to my request for a specific response in writing. I did, at one point, receive a phone call in which a staffer insisted to me that I was attacking Hudson’s right to express his beliefs.
I was writing often to Representative Hudson about a range of issues. He did respond to some of my other concerns. A pattern emerged.
I signed as Rabbi. He wrote to me as “Ms. Thiede.” Once, after I signed “Dr.” he wrote back to me using that title. He can respect my PhD, apparently, but not my ordination.
Yesterday, Representative Hudson send me his latest newsletter, entitled “We Must Act Now.”
Not one word about Charlottesville or the murder of a peaceful protester. No mention of the fact that North Carolina’s Loyal White Knights, a chapter of the Ku Klux Klan were among the white supremacists marching in Charlottesville were. They were among those who chanted “blood and soil” and “Jews will not replace us.”
This past weekend, we all witnessed how President Trump dodged his responsibility to use words like “white supremacy” or “white nationalism.” When asked whether he would label the murder of Heather Heyer an act of terrorism, he refused to respond.
He did talk about the economy, though.
In like spirit, Representative Hudson sent me a newsletter about budgets and tax reform.
This morning, I had a long talk with a nice young man named Brett who works in Representative Hudson’s office.
“When someone chooses, for example, ‘reverend,” on your email system does your office use that title in their response?”
“Of course!” Brett replied.
I explained that I am the only Jewish clergyperson in Cabarrus County. I lead the only Jewish community here. Why can’t my representative respect my position as a clergyperson?
Brett apologized and said he would pass on my concerns.
But in case you don’t get to hear this the way I need to express it, I’ll say it again for you, Representative Hudson.
Representative Hudson your constituents are not all Christian.
Representative Hudson, can you respect those constituents who don’t happen to be Christian or do you believe that you only represent Christians?
Representative Hudson, you have refused, for eight months now, to acknowledge that I am an ordained rabbi. You have demonstrated a pattern of disregard for those who do not believe as you do.
Representative Hudson, you have made no discernible effort to stand against white supremacy or white nationalism.
Your choices make me wonder: With whom do you stand when it comes to bigotry and racism?
I’d like your answer in writing, please.
