By Sonya Fox Sultan Santa Monica
If one’s impression of Santa Monica was derived solely from the opinion pages of the Daily Press, one might erroneously conclude that the majority of Santa Monicans are self centered and mean spirited — blaming the homeless for their poverty, supporting inhumane practices such as union busting, decrying the spending of public funds on services including public education, and scapegoating our public servants whose efforts have helped to create one of the most vibrant and livable cities in the world.
Fortunately, as a long time Santa Monica homeowner, I know for a fact that the majority of those who live in this city that I love are decent, caring and compassionate people who feel empathy, not anger, for the less fortunate among us, who are willing to pay increased taxes to fund public education and other services, who support the rights of workers to organize to achieve better wages, benefits, and working conditions, and who appreciate the hard work of our elected representatives and civil servants, who, while only human and therefore imperfect, generally strive to balance and fulfill the many competing needs and goals within our diverse community.
I often suspect that the words I read in the Daily Press are not those of real Santa Monicans but rather of some venomous ghost writer whose goal is to undermine the political and social order by sowing distrust, disdain and dissension.
My wish for the new year is to see more of the kindness, compassion, decency, and civility which is reflective of the Santa Monica I know and love represented on the pages of the Daily Press.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on December 30, 2003. Read the original PDF.