Dear Editor,

I believe community events should bring neighbors together. That is why the language being used to promote the Peak to Peak Peoples’ Festival deserves a closer look.

The festival’s own materials describe its mission as “activate resistance” and say this is where “music meets activism.” They speak about standing against “totalitarian forces” and declare, “Activism never stops. Vote. March. Dance. Help our neighbors.”

Those aren't words someone else assigned to the festival. They are the organizers’ own words.

The festival is also not simply an independent community celebration that happens to attract politically active people. Its materials identify the Gilpin County Democrats as a presenting partner and organizer, while promotional material identifies the Gilpin County Democratic organization in its paid-for disclosure.

That raises a question that I think Democrats, Republicans, independents, and unaffiliated voters should all be willing to ask:

Is “activate resistance” really the message we want attached to an event intended to bring our mountain community together?

There is plenty about this festival worth celebrating. Music, local vendors, families, charitable organizations, food drives and neighbors helping neighbors all speak of community togetherness. Those are exactly the kinds of things that can strengthen a small community.

So why wrap them in rhetoric about “resistance” and “totalitarian forces”?

More importantly, does that language actually represent the many reasonable, moderate Democrats who live here? Or does it allow the loudest activist voices to define an entire local political party?

There is a big difference between encouraging people to vote and telling a community it needs to be organized for “resistance.”

We already have enough division in national politics. We don't need to manufacture more of it here in our mountain community.

If the goal is truly community, perhaps the message should be neighbors helping neighbors, regardless of political affiliation.

Because community isn't supposed to mean only the people who agree with us.

Community means all of us.

Tami Archer

Gilpin County