This letter is written in response to: “Spokane Valley leaders clash over racial equity proposal at Tuesday council meeting” (July 24).

I commend Councilwoman Linda Thompson for her courage in advocating for equity and fairness in Spokane Valley. She is correct: Spokane Valley should take a seat at the table with Spokane and Spokane County in discussions with Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers and the Spokane NAACP. Arne Woodard’s refusal to even entertain discussion of updating the city’s equity policies, however, is just another example of why he needs to be replaced.

Woodard shows his total lack of understanding of the pervasive and systemic inequities faced by people of color, immigrants, religious minorities and the LGBTQ community right here in Spokane Valley. Putting his head in the sand does not make the problem of inequity go away. Discussing inequity does not create problems where none exist.

Businesses in the 21st century have diverse workforces. Standing up for diversity is good for people and it is good for business. To attract and retain the best businesses, Spokane Valley needs to stand out as a welcoming place for everyone and not have another embarrassing story in the media.

Spokane Valley officials should take an affirmative stand for equity. Not refuse to discuss it. Inequity exists when elected officials espouse white supremacy and anti-Semitism, and other elected officials endorse them. White-supremacy and white-‘nationalism’ have no place in a city that stands for equality. Spokane Valley deserves councilmembers who are willing to discuss our city’s challenges and work for common-sense solutions.

Lance Gurel

Spokane Valley