There’s a quaint – but false – notion that people in small towns are uncommonly plain-spoken, even blunt. One sometimes sees examples of this in films or books, where residents are depicted as folksy straight-talkers (“shucks, I don’t cotton to no one abusing nobody,” etc.). I’ve never heard anyone in Whitewater speak so colorfully, and I’ve doubts that anyone not on a Hollywood set actually speaks like this.
Most people – and certainly most leaders – in this small town don’t often speak bluntly and openly. On the contrary, there’s bias against mentioning problems publicly, even if they stem from intentional, grievous misconduct.
Now, and in the years ahead, one can expect that a multi-ethic community such as this one will see heightened slurs and abuse, overuse of force against a few, and (much) official quiescence in the face of it. (Some will even encourage this, convinced that pressure is justified against others and feeling that it is cathartic for themselves.)
Early on, perhaps a few officials will try to stress the positive, hiding others’ wrongful conduct from view, on the theory that the worst of all this will go away.
It won’t. Those who keep their heads down may later find that they’ve no longer the strength to lift them up again. A difficult near-term for Whitewater is likely to get worse. These actions will prove wrong in-and-of themselves, and secondarily will prove an effective retardant against discerning, prosperous newcomers. Such newcomers – much sought by local development officials – will go elsewhere.
No matter, sadly: most locally will carry on as they have been.
For communities choosing the quieter response, including this one, the die is cast.