A lot of people — ourselves included — have relished dunking on former DNC associate comms director TJ Helmstetter today over his embarrassing tale of harassing a MAGA-hat-wearing man and his girlfriend at Hill Country BBQ in D.C. But this incident also raises more serious issues, one that digital communications consultant Ben Smith discussed in a must-read thread:
Some thoughts on what happened at Hill Country…
— Ben Smith (@BenSmithDC) July 5, 2019
I live downtown only a few blocks from the White House. Every day I see hundreds of tourists walking through my area.
— Ben Smith (@BenSmithDC) July 5, 2019
Yes, they can be annoying. The walk on the wrong side. Stop randomly to take pics, and don’t know how the metro works.
— Ben Smith (@BenSmithDC) July 5, 2019
However, they bring a lot of money and much needed revenue to the city.
— Ben Smith (@BenSmithDC) July 5, 2019
A few days ago, I sat down to grab a quick bite before heading to a housewarming party. There was an extremely kind family of 4 sitting near me.
— Ben Smith (@BenSmithDC) July 5, 2019
They were extremely nice to me when I asked them to hand me something down the counter. Two boys and their parents.
— Ben Smith (@BenSmithDC) July 5, 2019
When they left the restaurant, they all put back on their MAGA hats and began walking towards the White House, and for some reason, I began to worry about them. There was no reason to, but I did.
— Ben Smith (@BenSmithDC) July 5, 2019
I had heard them talking joyfully about being in our nation’s capital and what it meant to them. They were excited.
— Ben Smith (@BenSmithDC) July 5, 2019
But for some reason, when they walked out and put on their MAGA hats, I had a lump in my throat as I feared that someone might say something. I then quickly brushed it away.
— Ben Smith (@BenSmithDC) July 5, 2019
Now that this Hill Country incident has happened I would like to make one thing clear to my fellow DC residents. Yes, we live here. No none of us agree on everything, but this isn’t our city.
— Ben Smith (@BenSmithDC) July 5, 2019
This city belongs to everyone in the United States. This is the transient city. It belongs to the nation.
So yes, you may disagree with our visitors, but they have just as much of a right to be here as you.
— Ben Smith (@BenSmithDC) July 5, 2019
So treat with the same respect that you know that they would treat you.
The people visiting are a vital source of both economic stability of the city as well add to the uniqueness and diversity.
— Ben Smith (@BenSmithDC) July 5, 2019
I don’t want to be afraid for these wonderful kind people who, some are doing a once-in-a lifetime visit to come back from our amazing city feeling like they don’t belong in the best symbol of freedom in the world.
— Ben Smith (@BenSmithDC) July 5, 2019
They shouldn’t have to fear being here due to politics. And I am ashamed of my fellow city-dwellers.
(End)
— Ben Smith (@BenSmithDC) July 5, 2019
Well said. People of all political stripes would do well to take Smith’s thread to heart.
Excellent thread. Thank you.
— the Flash (@ThickenParm) July 5, 2019
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