Between Ourselves
Donald Martin is hoping to be elected to a city-wide seat on Holland's City Council Nov.5. He loves his community and hopes to keep battling the big C of Conservatism in West Michigan.
1. Why did you decide to run for office?
Back in July, 2011, I witnessed Holland City Council reject a unanimous recommendation by its own human relations commission to begin addressing the lack of basic civil rights for LGBT residents. The experience changed me. I was no longer the same person because Holland was no longer the same city. It was far more complex than I realized, and my reaction to that night's events were far more complex than I would have imagined. Mostly, I felt frustrated that five elected leaders voted to strangle the civil rights debate in its crib before it ever had the chance to breathe. That is not OK. Those choices are the opposite of leadership. Indeed, they are the definition of ideology. I believe that Holland deserves much better. I had to get involved but, on that dark and rainy night, I didn't know how to do that.
For months afterwards, the words of Martin Luther King Jr. ran through my mind, that everybody can be great because greatness is determined by service. In that spirit, I rejected passive frustration in favor of active citizenship. That change in attitude led me to get involved with many of Holland's community development organizations: those that promote racial equity, those that advocate for the homeless, those that develop Hispanic youth leadership, and those that work to guarantee basic rights for LGBT people. The wealth of experience I gained over the last two years opened my eyes to two truths: that all of the elements for greatness exist here in Holland right now and that great things happen when good people work together.
That's why I'm running for office – to advocate for community service that connects good people to the resources that they need to achieve great things for our entire city.
2. What are the biggest issues in this election?
I ask this same question to Hollanders and almost never get the same answer. Having said that, no one has told me that they want Holland to stay the same. The diversity of response I hear does share in common a desire for a different kind of representation in Holland. That desire for the new points to a crucial aspect about Holland that many people overlook: the difference between little-c conservatism and big-C Conservatism. Hollanders are fine with little-c conservatism that encourages people of different opinions to live together with respect and trust – summed up in a "you do your thing, I'll do mine" way of living. After all, how could an openly gay man like myself run in Holland if this attitude were absent? What I hear Hollanders rejecting is the big-C Conservatism. Big-C Conservatism enforces one group's identity and values onto others. Let me be clear: it absolutely exists here but I think that its power is on the wane – which alarms some very powerful people. I understand the appeal of ideological thinking. It is comfortable and familiar. It provides an answer to every question in defiance of unique circumstances. It is, however, lazy thinking. It weakens the public trust for its privileging a romantic past at the expense of the very real present. Hollanders living in the present, facing very real challenges and celebrating very real successes, need representatives that can honor Holland's past by embracing its present and planning for its future.
3. Do you think that the fact you are gay has a role in this election? Is anyone making it an issue?
I strongly suspect that I am not the best person to answer this question. Nobody (that I know) has made my sexual identity an issue. It certainly hasn't appeared in the public discourse. People both inside and outside of Holland have expressed surprise that it's not become political fodder. But, to be honest, it doesn't surprise me at all. It seems that Hollanders assess the value of my candidacy based on the breadth of my perspective, the content of my character, and the wisdom of my choices. What else should anyone expect?
4. How long have you lived in Holland? If you did not grow up there, how did you end up being there? What do you love about the Holland community?
I moved to Holland in 2005, when my employer transferred our department from the Detroit area to here. I knew nothing about Holland save for its popular stereotypes of political and religious conservatism, so I came here kicking and screaming. My brattish attitude didn't last long after I found a fantastic group of people, local businesses, and organizations that kept open the doors of friendship. I bought my first house here in Holland in 2009. The day I received the keys was the day that I knew that Holland was home. My neighbors, a married couple, came over and introduced themselves while I ran a Detroit Tigers flag up the pole in the front yard. By the time our first conversation ended, we agreed that they would clear the snow in exchange for storing stuff in my garage. Every summer I borrow their yard tools and every autumn they store a turkey in my freezer. My neighbors made Holland my home. It continues to feel wonderful.
5. I see you use a lot of bilingual communications. Can you explain the importance of reaching Spanish-speaking constituents?
The simple answer is that I adore the Spanish language and take every opportunity to use it. The practical answer is that the 2010 Census revealed that 25 percent of Holland residents claimed Hispanic as their racial identity. That's an extraordinary number for a city our size. Of course, not everyone who identifies as Hispanic speaks Spanish but I think that anyone running for office in Holland ignores the concerns, challenges, and successes of a quarter of our community at their own peril.
6. What is your profession and what experience do you have that will be helpful for being on council?
This question reminds me of the joke "what can you do with an English Major?" For me, the answers to that question are: solve problems, advocate for the community, mentor kids, build coalitions, and – if elected – I would add represent the City of Holland to that list.
7. Anything else we should include?
Come to Holland. This is a great city. We have great people here. We have great restaurants here. We have great breweries here. We have great neighborhoods here. Everything one needs is here. I'm also to understand that we have a lake, a windmill, and some flowers. But really, come to Holland for the people. Tell them that Donald Martin sent you.
