Dear Editor, Five years ago, the Taylor Christmas Parade is what charmed the heart of this big-city girl and convinced me to put down roots in Taylor.
Growing up in inner-city Dallas, I had never before witnessed such familyfriendly, Christian goodwill as I saw parading down Main Street. I was sold. THIS was where I wanted to raise my children. In Taylor, their childhood would be protected by the public servants, schools, churches, and community organizations I smiled at and cheered for alongside the rest of the town. At last year’s Christmas parade, I began to fear that not even Taylor was safe for children anymore.
While a drag queen Santa and a half-dressed man danced provocatively atop a Taylor-Pride sponsored float, I scrambled to divert the attention of my three small boys.
This year, the Taylor Area Ministerial Alliance acted to protect children when they advertised that they would enforce standards of public decency in their annual parade.
Our city officials responded by denigrating the people of Taylor for their small-mindedness and diverting valuable public funds to sponsor their own parade right on the heels of the traditional Parade of Lights.
Predictably, the city communications team is spinning their violation of one of Taylor’s most beloved traditions as a celebration of “equity” and “inclusivity.” They need to understand, it is not “mean” to protect children from adult themes on our city streets.
This year, with a heavy heart, I will be leaving right after Taylor’s traditional Christmas Parade of Lights. Even if I didn’t have to rush the kids out of harm’s way, I would find little to cheer for.
Our public officials have taken up arms against the town they are supposed to serve. In doing so, they have revealed themselves to be, not public servants, but partisan activists.
Dr. DeAnn Stuart Taylor Resident
