By JULIE SMITHA few months ago I wrote a letter about my disappointment in the proposal to re-brand Los Alamos with the high-falutin’ “Live Exponentially”; well, since the issue is still being pushed down our throats I’m writing again because I feel so strongly against it.
This idea, this plan to spend $250,000 of my community’s funds in order to promote Los Alamos as an arrogant, elitist community is unacceptable.
First of all, it was only a few years ago that a significant amount of OUR money was spent in branding Los Alamos “Where Discoveries Are Made”, on surveys, literature, banners, and the beautiful rock sentries that greet folks driving into town. “Where Discoveries Are Made” is a clear, positive thought immediately understood by children as well as adults.
“Live Exponentially” is an abstract idea, a mathematical term addressing only the intellectually elite while ignoring the rest of us. I’m fairly educated but have never in my 52 years used the word “exponentially” except in this argument. If you do a google search for the word “exponentially” you’ll see mathematical and technical definitions that often need further defining just to be understood. It’s kind of like a bad joke … if you have to explain it, it’s no good
Second, there is already too much arrogance and elitism expressed by many of those in Los Alamos toward our surrounding communities. I’ve heard business owners talk negatively against hiring or offering service to those from “off the hill” because “they all do drugs” or “they all steal from me” or “they can’t speak English”. It’s this kind of racism and classism that perpetuates negative stereotypes and discourages trust and growth between communities and individuals.
This is almost 2015 and we, such a supposed “advanced” community should be passed this; we have scientists, teachers, labor and service providers and community members from all over the world yet some of our own community leaders are still stuck with 1950’s prejudices. Re-branding in the manner proposed would only serve to further distance us, in a negative manner, from our immediate neighbors as well as communities around the world.
I live in Los Alamos because it’s a friendly, comfortable, beautiful place. I appreciate Los Alamos’s history, community spirit, our creative minds both technically and artistically, the rich cultures and breath-taking land we’re surrounded with. These are the things I talk about with potential visitors and newcomers because I want them ALL to be interested and feel welcome here. Re-branding this town under the currently proposed project would take away from the warm fuzzies of Los Alamos, which in my humble opinion, is sad and wrong for our future.
Please, please, please don’t let our community be turned into an exponentially bad joke. Help Los Alamos continue to make new discoveries while welcoming the world to join us, in positive, easy-to-understand terms.