Drinks Without Me? Not on My Watch

—IRONY ALERT: Release Tuesday from the office of Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia (D-Bell Gardens) notes that “after numerous reports of inappropriate behavior during raucous events sponsored by the California Contract Cities Association,’’ she has introduced a bill to limit how such associations can spend money. “For local governments to be subsidizing frat parties under the guise of civic engagement is a slap in the face to the residents of these cities, who are often working-class and struggling to make ends meet,’’ Garcia said in her release.

Ok, in the #MeToo era, of which she was a former champion, should there be a push for subsidizing “Sorority Parties” instead to promote more of those cherished gender equity goals of the Assemblymember? Garcia’s outrage over “frat parties” and raucous behavior comes two years after POLITICO reported that a male legislative staffer alleged actions of sexual harassment at a legislative softball game by the progressive Democrat, which have since been appealed. Apparently, her own “raucous” behavior is not limited to extra-curricular athletic events as staffers and lobbyists reported the presence of a kegerator (yes, seriously) in her office from which she allegedly served drinks during office hours. After two Assembly investigations, she was found to have violated Assembly policy for being highly inebriated in the aforementioned softball game; his lawsuit against her is still pending. Speaker Anthony Rendon promised “appropriate remedial action.”

Now, the especially biting point in all this is the posturing that the Assemblymember made during her very vocal support of the #MeToo campaign. A movement that was centralized on the basis of gender equity and the intolerance of sexual harassment deserves spokespeople with statewide platforms to be responsible and to hold exemplary positions that truly embody the ideals of the movement. However, in inner circles, Garcia has been noted to be an especially critical and intolerant voice against sexual orientation and gender preferences, as well as promulgating racial discrimination with her commentary against Asian communities. Going so far as calling the then Speaker of the Assembly, whether meant in intimate circles or not, is very telling of her own inner voice in regards to the marginalized groups within our country. When she hears undocumented, does she internally hear “beaner?” When she hears gender-nonconforming does she hear “faggot?” When she hears feminist male does she instantly think “cuckold?” One can never truly know. But buy her a drink and maybe she can spill her true thoughts. Cheers.