Did You Hear the One About the School Board Chairman?

Okay, all you supporters of a ballpark in Shockoe Bottom, I have some great news. I think I have come up with a virtually sure-fire plan to get city officials, as well as city residents, to come out in full support of the Atlanta/Richmond Braves proposal for a new stadium in the Bottom.
Being an astute student of history, I've learned from the recent goings-on in Richmond. And, it's all very simple. Here's what has to be done. R-Braves general manager, Bruce Baldwin, simply has to announce that he, and the entire Braves team are all gay. Just for a little insurance, he may want to post semi-nude pictures of himself and the players on a pornographic internet site. That's not mandatory, but it would be a nice touch.
Do you see the logic here? Just look at the reaction to the Stephen Johnson deal. Here, you have the chairman of the Richmond School Board posting a semi-nude picture of himself, along with what has been termed an explicitly worded profile of himself on a pornographic, gay, Internet website. When word gets out about his little indiscretion, he does resign his chairmanship, but feels it appropriate to stay on the school board.
Now, if you're thinking there'd be public outrage, you'd better check your calendar. The times, they are a-changing. Here we are in a city that prides itself on being slow to change. We're so slow that when Bruce Baldwin announced a proposal to build a mega-complex in downtown Richmond, centered around a beautiful new ballpark, you'd have thunk he was calling for the repeal of the Emancipation Proclamation.
The guy's virtually tarred and feathered by everyone including the city's own mayor, Governor Wilder. But what happens when Stephen Johnson steps down as chairman of the school board, and then proceeds to blast the Richmond Times Dispatch for telling on him? He gets a standing ovation.
According to the story in the TD, the crowd, including fellow board members did everything but hoist him on their shoulders and carry him out of the room, singing "For he's a jolly gay fellow."
You think I'm exaggerating? Well, here's what school superintendent, Deborah Jewell-Sherman, was quoted as saying, "I want to publicly thank Mr. Stephen B. Johnson for the tremendous job he has done over the last year as chairman of the School Board." Forget the fact that Mr. Stephen B. Johnson has set a horrible example for the city's youth, you know the ones who go to those schools he's working for. Let's just concentrate on that tremendous job he's done.
Bruce Baldwin, are you getting this? The ballpark is in the bag if you'll just bare your chest for the camera. The Times Dispatch went on to continue Ms. Jewell-Sherman's quote: ""I have never been prouder of you, Mr. Johnson, than I am tonight when you put before your own personal feelings the well-being of the Richmond Public School Board." Next, the newspaper writes: "She (she, being the school superintendent, don't forget) stood and began applauding. Nearly everyone in the packed room joined her."
I don't seem to recall Bruce Baldwin getting a standing O when he proposed an exciting, dynamic project for the city. I don't seem to recall anyone telling him what a tremendous job he's done in providing the city with a first-class professional sports organization over the past several years.
But, Stephen B. Johnson, now that's another story. Deborah Jewell-Sherman is so proud of the former school board chairman that she couldn't resist embracing him, much the way a city that hates change has embraced homosexuality. And, let's be honest, that's really what this is all about. One thing you have to say about the gay community, they've done a great job making heterosexuals feel embarrassed for opposing homosexuality...so embarrassed that now, seemingly normal, good, decent everyday folks are too scared to come right out and tell Stephen B. Johnson that they're repulsed by his actions.
People today are so scared about being branded homophobic that they'll sell their own kids down the river (the James River, in this instance) rather than risk offending a gay guy.
My personal feelings (or anyone else's) about homosexuality are not at the heart of this story. WRVA's afternoon talk show host, Mac Watson, has summed this up well. He's basically stated that if Johnson were straight and had posted his evidently titilating profile on a heterosexual porn dating site, he would not have received the same, warm, accepting reaction from the public. Mac's exactly right.
I know that a city like Richmond has not been turned into an east coast version of San Francisco overnight. But, I also know that many Richmonders are just too gutless to let their true feelings be known. According to the TD, when one Richmond resident began circulating a petition urging Johnson to resign from the board, she only got five signatures.
So, bottom line, Bruce Baldwin, you know what you gotta do. Listen to me, and before you know it, we'll be watching baseball in the Bottom and enjoying three-dollar beer night.