'Words Matter' At Temecula City Council

TEMECULA, CA — Temecula City Council Member Jessica Alexander's continued silence over her racially insensitive remarks didn't falter this week, despite another offensive lob in the form of an email.

During Tuesday's marathon City Council meeting, Alexander was once again mum after many public comments called into question her character — and some demanded her resignation — following her April 13 City Council meeting remark that compared her refusal to wear a mask to the historical oppression of Blacks in America.

But she did speak up after Mayor Pro Tem Matt Rahn questioned why she would follow up her comments last month with an email to the mayor and city manager that contained similarly offensive language.

In the email, Alexander referred to the federal COVID-19 stimulus money coming to the city as the "China Virus" relief fund, Rahn said.

Former President Donald Trump's use of the term sparked fury in many, and critics say his repeated "China Virus" rhetoric helped fuel anti-Asian sentiment.

"Ms. Alexander, the language you used is insensitive," Rahn said. "You have to know this. Words matter. What we say as an elected official is extremely consequential."

The "thoughtless comment" is now recorded in official city records, Rahn continued. "We simply need to do better than this."

Alexander's remarks have distracted the council.

"We have a ton of work we need to do," Rahn said. "So can we please stop the antagonistic, destructive and negative dialogue?"

Alexander, who did not immediately respond to a request for comment, blasted Rahn during Tuesday's meeting for not privately discussing the email with her.

"We come to each other first," she said.

She insisted she is a "God-fearing woman" who loves the people she serves.

"No one can sit here and tell me I'm a racist person," she said.

Never did Alexander offer an apology to offended community members for her "China virus" remark nor her April 13 comments.

Ironically, Tuesday's meeting led with a city proclamation recognizing Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month — the first proclamation of its kind by the city.

Mayor Maryann Edwards said the ongoing community division is painful. A veteran council member, she cautioned that words have consequences.

"When we fail," Edwards said, "we fail on TV and on the front page of the paper."