Number
041022
Version
ORIGINAL
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. PUENTE, WITKOWIAK, DONOVAN, WADE, BOHL, WITKOWSKI, DAVIS, MCGEE, HAMILTON AND ZIELINSKI
Title
Resolution denouncing a slur made by Mark Belling on WISN-AM (1130) radio, parent company Clear Channel Communications.
Analysis
This resolution denounces the slur against Hispanics made by Mark Belling of WISN AM (1130) radio and requests that he sincerely and publicly apologize for his inappropriate comment and make whatever restorative action that is necessary for making amends with the Hispanic community.
The City Clerk shall send copies of this resolution to Mark Belling at WISN-AM (1130) radio and to Clear Channel Communications.
Body
Whereas, WISN-AM talk radio host Mark Belling recently made the following comment on-air regarding the elections: "You watch the voter turnout on the near south side, heavily Hispanic, and compare it to the voter turnout in any other election, and you're going to see every wetback and every other non-citizen out there voting"; and
Whereas, The term "wetback" is defined by the American Heritage Dictionary of the English language as "a disparaging term for a Mexican, especially a laborer who crosses the U.S. border illegally"; and
Whereas, Mr. Belling offered a sarcastic apology for his self-proclaimed "derogatory" comment, but suggested that he "should have used a different mean term"; and
Whereas, The City of Milwaukee is comprised of people of many racial and ethnic backgrounds, and residents celebrate racial and ethnic diversity every year through a variety of festivals at various locations within the city; and
Whereas, Publicly made slurs made by members of the media on public airwaves have a far reaching impact on communities in and outside of the city and help foster bigotry; and
Whereas, While broadcast media enjoy the right to freely express various political viewpoints, they also have the responsibility to monitor the content of statements made over public airwaves; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Common Council denounces the slur against Hispanics made by Mark Belling of WISN-AM (1130) radio and requests that he sincerely and publicly apologize for his inappropriate comment and make whatever restorative action that is necessary for making amends with the Hispanic community; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the City Clerk shall send copies of this resolution to Mark Belling at WISN-AM (1130) radio and to Clear Channel Communications.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB04464-1
TWMlcac
11/101/2004