By. Senator Mario Gallegos (D) 6th District
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (HLS&R) has long been recognized as one of Houston’s most active charitable organizations. Since the group’s beginnings in 1931, the HLS&R has reflected the western spirit and cowboy heritage that this community so proudly maintains. A lot of things have changed in this city over the 78 year history of the HLS&R. For example, when the Rodeo began in the 1930’s in downtown Houston, the city covered only 72 square miles, had a population of 290,000, the average home price was $6,790, and the Galveston-Houston Electric Railway speedily carried passengers from Houston to Galveston before we built the Gulf Freeway to relieve the old two lane Galveston highway.
Today Houston has a population of over 2.2 million people, covers over 600 square miles, and according to the latest census figures, nearly 60 different languages are spoken in neighborhoods, restaurants, and businesses throughout our city. Like many of our city’s leaders, I believe that diversity among our citizenry is an asset that should be appreciated and embraced by all of us. Diversity does not, however, mean affirmative action or hand-outs; it means being smart about recognizing and understanding growing demographic groups and including them in your planning, execution and then the delivery of your product or service to the community. It means INVOLVEMENT.
As a child growing up in Houston's East End, attending the Rodeo’s annual downtown parade with my mother and father became a family tradition and remains a fond memory not only for me, but for hundreds of thousands of Houstonians as well. During my 22 year career with the Houston Fire Department, it was my privilege to spend my off-duty time serving as part of the HFD medical response team to ensure the health and well-being of millions of rodeo and concert attendees. I have also had the honor of being a calf scramble sponsor for the past 12 years, and will continue that commitment to our state's youth in future rodeos.
I understand and appreciate the commitment and dedication that the HLS&R volunteers contribute to our community. Their selfless sense of volunteerism makes Houston the great city that it is. However, until recently it has gone unnoticed by many in this city that the HLS&R’s Board and executive staff have slowly yet steadily turned the HLS&R into their exclusive enclave and sent a not so thinly veiled message to many of us, especially people of color, that those who question or scrutinize their operations or policy will not only remain unacknowledged, but will also be vilified and ridiculed. As Houston progresses into the 21st century, the HLS&R seems stubbornly committed to holding on to the reigns of a rickety chuck wagon. Even though Houston Hispanics and African Americans consistently break attendance records year after year and spend millions of dollars at the Rodeo, when we ask questions regarding how funds are spent on vendors, scholarships or on its operations, we are told that as a private non-profit organization the Rodeo does not have to disclose any of their operations to us, in other words, its none of our business and go away.
The current controversy that we now find ourselves in was sparked last year by a simple inquiry regarding the selection of musical entertainers. Now, more than a year later, after numerous meetings with Rodeo officials and countless hours spent trying to find middle ground, we find ourselves no closer to answers than when we began. There are still questions about alleged inside dealings between HSL&R board and committee members and no-bid contracts; possible fundraising activities using public agency employees; and how scholarships are granted. These are simple questions being asked from Houston’s largest ethnic communities, without any real answers from the leadership of the HLS&R.
When it comes to protecting the interests of my constituents, I do not back down from a fight. When I see a problem, I take the bull by the horns. The HLS&R and its board members should be above reproach. It is time for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo to welcome increased transparency and inclusion within the organization, and join the rest of the 21st century.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/editorial/outlook/6310480.html
If the people associated with the show were complaining and crying foul, then there would be some credence to this issue. On the contrary, us minorities that are actually volunteering and supporting the show (i.e. buying at auctions; renting suites; buying season tickets) do not agree with or appreciate what Gallegos and Mendez are trying to do.
Gallegos used to party like a rock star at the Rodeo and even rode in the grand entry on numerous occasions. But even he has to volunteer and put in committee hours (working) to be appointed as a Vice President or Directorship, and that comes after many years of volunteering.
I don’t want an appointment based on my race… what value would that have? I want to earn my positions in this life. Maybe it doesn’t happen as fast as I like, but at the end of the day I will be able to appreciate my achievement all the more. (Proverbs 13:12 “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life”
Something to think about: Does the RCA (Black Rodeo Association), LULAC, NAACP, NHPO have transparency and do they have committees and boards that reflect diversity? It seems that people like Gallegos, Mendez, QLX and SJL demand to be included in entities that are white owned/run, while still expecting to be exclusive in minority endeavors. We can’t have it both ways.