I was so excited last year when I became a lifetime member to the HLSR, paid my Coral Club dues, and joined one of the hard working committees as a Rookie for the 2009 Rodeo. I am a third generation Texan, second generation Houstonian and I happen to be of Mexican descent. I grew up attending the rodeo each year and remember Elvis Presley, cotton candy and my boots with fond memories.
I have met some of the most wonderful and hardest working people in my first year and I hope they become long-standing friendships. I believe in learning the process and earning my stripes, moving up the chain of commitment and believe me it is a commitment of time and money.
It is unfortunate that the dark side of the recent controversy has appeared and has moved down to the rank and file volunteers of the rodeo. The emails sent to the 21,000 volunteers from Butch Robinson, HLSR Chairman along with other HLSR notifications attempting to set the record straight has only sparked inflammatory and venomous responses from rodeo volunteers and non-volunteers.
Hallway discussions at Reliant Park range from “Which side are you on?” to comments like “What is the penalty for hitting a protester?” The emails and blogs that have been circulated depict such hatred for “Mexicans” that I am just blown away. What did Butch Robinson think he was doing by sending out emails with Senator Mario Gallegos and Ben Mendez’s name under the title “A Public Message from HLSR”. What it created was an army of hate mongers who believe they are right and that “Mexicans should go home.”
I have never been one to shy away from a fight and I am ready to stand up for my rights; however this controversy has nothing to do with the rank and file volunteers and everything to do the decision makers in the HLSR boardroom. This matter should have been settled at the board level and not driven down to the volunteers in this manner. When I signed up as a volunteer it was not to fight the battles created, it was to raise scholarship money.
The only message that the HLSR leadership should have communicated to the 21,000 volunteers is be the best Ambassadors for the HLSR. This role includes greeting attendees, encouraging participation, and adhering to the mission of the Rodeo, because at the end of the day it is about scholarships for deserving kids.
My message to Butch Robinson and the HLSR Board is if you can’t resolve this situation at your level, then maybe we need to clean the boardroom and bring in people who will. The HLSR Board needs to be open and above reproach, not acting disrespectful of elected officials and dismissive of a community that accounts for over 40% of the regional population. I plan to continue my volunteer services for as long as I am alive, for I believe in the mission of the HLSR.
Sincerely,
Liz Lara-Carreño
Lifetime Member HLSR
