Hate has no place in our community.
Hate speech, like that used by Brigette Browning to attack Nora Vargas, the first Latina Chairwoman of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, should never be tolerated. We call on Brigette Browning to resign from her position at San Diego Labor Council immediately. San Diego deserves so much better than Browning! #RejectRacism #NotOnOurWatch #ByeBrigette
Press Release
For Immediate Release: May 8, 2024
Media Contact: Alma Marquez (619) 746-8153
MORE THAN 130 NATIONAL AND STATEWIDE LATINO & CROSS-RACIAL ORGANIZATIONS & LEADERS DEMAND LABOR OFFICIAL BRIGETTE BROWNING RESIGN AFTER HER RACIST REMARKS
Browning Attacked First Latina Elected to the San Diego County Board of Supervisors with Vulgar Language Insinuating Sexual Acts
San Diego – In the wake of offensive and racist remarks given publicly last week by Brigette Browning, Secretary Treasurer of the San Diego and Imperial Valley Labor Council, attacking a prominent Latina; national and statewide Latino & Cross-Racial organizations and leaders have sent a letter denouncing her remarks, and calling for Browning’s resignation. The remarks were initially recorded and posted on Facebook by Browning’s labor council. Local San Diego news outlet La Prensa also details Browning’s racism and cultural appropriation in this piece entitled “Browning Used Brown Voice to Mock Vargas,” where the publisher explains, “This is a well-connected, wealthy White woman who called a Latina a “Chingona” before taunting her with a chorus of “No mames!” She insinuated that Supervisor Vargas had performed oral sex acts (no mames) after a backroom deal with male colleagues and repeated “No mames, Nora” multiple times. Attached is the letter from Latino leaders calling for Browning’s resignation with names of Leaders, organizations and allies.
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We delivered the letter below via email on May 8th and published publicly on May 9th:
May 8, 2024
INTRODUCTION
Dear Mr. Moore,
On behalf of more than 130 Latino and Cross-Racial organizations and leaders listed below, please accept this letter and our request that it be shared with the full council and delegates of the San Diego and Imperial County Labor Council immediately. This letter has not been made public out of respect to you and the Council of Labor Unions. We wanted to share with you first before making it public. Many of us called on others in Los Angeles to resign when they made racist remarks in private. Now, we are at this again. This time in San Diego regarding racism and misogyny. This time the attacks were made in a public setting without fear of consequence. We cannot, and will not, be ignored or silenced. As leaders, we must hold each other accountable. The implications are far reaching because our children, working families and the public are watching. We represent constituents who know that silence means complicity. Support and defense of this egregious behavior is also complicity. It is our expectation that this Call to Action is placed on the agenda for the upcoming San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council meeting as an action item.
LETTER
Dear San Diego & Imperial County Labor Council,
We collectively abhor and are appalled by the recent comments racially attacking San Diego County Supervisor and Chairwoman Nora Vargas made by Brigette Browning, Secretary Treasurer of the San Diego and Imperial Valley Labor Council on April 30, 2024. Ms. Browning chose to engage in reprehensible behavior by spewing racist language to attack the first and only Latina elected to the county board of supervisors and the entire Latina community. As a labor leader, Browning holds a position of influence and power, and her actions reflect poorly not only on herself but on the entire community she represents. We, the undersigned, call on her to resign immediately.
Racism has no place in our society, especially not in positions of leadership. It undermines the principles of equality and justice that we strive to uphold. It is particularly distressing to see individuals who are supposed to advocate for the rights and well-being of others engaging in discriminatory behavior.
The implication of Supervisor Vargas performing oral sex acts (“no mames Nora”) following the insinuation of a backroom deal with two male colleagues, is not only deeply offensive but also perpetuates harmful stereotypes and misogyny. Such remarks have no place in civil discourse and are an affront to the dignity of all individuals. It is absolutely deplorable.
Nora Vargas, as the first Latina and immigrant to be elected to the county board of supervisors, even when we don’t agree, deserves respect offered through common decency, not racially charged and vulgar attacks. Many of us called on others in Los Angeles who made racist remarks in private. They were held responsible for their actions and we demand that Brigette Browning be similarly held accountable for her deeply offensive, hurtful and irresponsible attacks made in public.
It is essential to recognize that at least half of California’s union members are women- Black women and Latinas, and the majority are workers of color, reflecting the diversity of California’s workforce. Half of union members work in the public sector. Browning's actions not only tarnish her reputation but also reflect poorly on the entire labor movement and its commitment to equity and inclusion of workers like those in our families.
After she resigns, we urge Browning to engage in meaningful reflection and education on issues of race and discrimination. She must acknowledge her micro and macro aggressions, her unconscious biases, gaslighting, and get educated on what it means to be anti-racist, and pro-women. It is only through understanding and empathy that we can hope to build a more inclusive and equitable society.
We expect a prompt response to this demand. We must hold local racist leaders accountable to have credibility when we hold national racists accountable. The same people who denounce Trump’s rhetoric cannot use his playbook while we all watch in silence. We must not be silent.
The Undersigned,
- Richard Polanco, Senator (ret.), Former Senate Majority Leader, Los Angeles, CA
- Manisha Sharma, MD, FAAFP, District 1, Chula Vista, CA
- Ricardo Flores, Executive Director, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), San Diego, CA
- Josie Flores-Clark, President, National Latina Business Women's Association, Bonita, CA
- Sindy Benavides, President & CEO, Latino Victory, Virginia
- Ellen Nash, Chair, San Diego Chapter of Black American Political Association of California, San Diego, CA
- Ginger Hitzke, Hitzke Development Corporation
- Lidia S Martinez, Director, Board of Directors, Latino Leaders Network, San Diego, CA
- Liz Ramirez, President & CEO, Chicano Federation, San Diego County
- Sarah Magana, Former SEIU Local 347 Vice President
- Cindy Borbon, Co-Founder, La Comadre Network, Los Ángeles, CA
- Alma Marquez, Founder and CEO, Del Sol Group, Los Angeles, CA
- Miquitzli Herrera, La Comadre Network, Los Angeles, CA
- Lorena Hernandez, Board Member
- Mario Ceballos, President, HONOR-PAC
- Miguel Cabral, Treasurer, HONOR-PAC, Hawthorne, CA
- Arnulfo Manriquez, President & CEO, MAAC, San Diego, CA
- Alfred Fraijo Jr., Somos Group
- Vanessa Aramayo, Alliance for a Better Community
- Dr. Fredi Avalos, Director/ Co-Founder Director, PRO- Ject Voices- San Diego, North County San Diego, Elizabeth Romero, Trustee, Riverside County Board of Education Education,* Riverside County
- Judy Roldán, Director, Non-Profit, Los Angeles, CA
- Sinar Lomeli, Counseling Faculty, HOPE*, North County San Diego, CA
- Lisette Islas, San Diego, CA
- Humberto Gurmilan, Chula Vista, CA
- Cynthia Ledesma, San Diego, CA
- Dr. Lou Murillo, San Diego, CA
- David Trujillo, Community Activist, University Heights, CA
- Dr. Ted Martinez, Jr., San Diego, CA
- Veronica Macedo, Director of Development & Community Relations, Chicano Federation, San Ysidro, CA
- Anthony Avalos, Council of Equity Advocacy, San Diego
- Tania Zavala, Development Coordinator, Chicano Federation, San Diego, CA
- Viridiana Sandoval, Community Member, Imperial Beach, CA
- Jacqueline Gonzalez Sandoval, Community Member, Imperial Beach, CA
- Norma A. Cazares, Community Activist, South Bay Forum, Chula Vista, CA
- Richard Corral, CEO & Principal Consultant, Corral Consulting, Glendale, CA
- Edward C. Garza, CEO, Mexican American Council, Miami, FL
- Michelle Gastelum, President, Summit, Pasadena, CA
- Oscar de la Torre, Member, Commission for Racial Justice,* Del Mar, CA
- Claudia Perez, Consultant, Consultant, Anaheim, CA
- Griselda Hidalgo, Co- Founder, Alta Public Schools, Los Angeles, CA
- Frank Acevedo, President, Rampart Properties Inc, Southern California Resident
- Veronica Dela Rosa, Healthcare Leader, Individual Concerned Citizen*, Chula Vista, CA
- Adriana Maestas, Owner/CEO, A Call To Action, Inc., Orange County, CA
- Robert Zardeneta, Executive Director, CALO, Inc, East Los Angeles, CA
- Silissa Uriarte Smith, Founder & CEO, Purpose Centered Coaching & Consulting, Long Beach, CA
- Luis Ruelas, Management, San Diego, CA
- Dolores Arredondo, Advisory Board Member, HOPE*, Whittier, CA
- Roberto Licon, Teacher, Public School District, Long Beach, CA
- James Cruz, MD, President, LatinX Physicians of California*, San Clemente, CA
- Stephanie Gill, Woodland
- Ryan Johnson, Director, Vision Culture Foundation, National City, CA
- Norma Bostarr, Program, Manager Promise Health Plan*, Long Beach, CA
- Marisol Rerucha, CEO, Heartset Consulting Group, San Diego, CA
- Guillermo Mayer, President & CEO, Public Advocates*, La Mesa, CA
- Linda Sierra, SVP, Business Development & Co-Chair, DE&I Bench International*, Bonita, CA
- Daniel Diaz, Counselor, San Diego, CA
- Tonya Torosian, CEO, Promises2Kids*, Talmadge, CA
- Linda L. Katz, Civic/Social Activist, Community Volunteer*, Del Mar, CA
- Ruth Segura, Office Manager, San Marcos, CA
- Mario Sierra, Community Member, Bonita, CA
- Richard Gonzalez, Technology Chair, San Diego Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, San Diego, CA
- Xavier Reyes, CEO, APS, Nation City, CA
- Daniela Sainz, Health Educator, Vista Community Clinic, North County San Diego, CA
- Quintilia Ávila, Consultant, Temescal Valley, CA
- Claudia Sandoval, Owner, Claudia Sandoval Productions Inc., San Diego, CA
- Gaby Plascencia, Former Councilwoman, HOPE Alumni, Riverside, CA
- Isa Montano, Student, San Diego State University, Chula Vista, CA
- Lauren Rivera, Escondido, CA
- Elliet Camarillo, Latina Leader, Los Angeles, CA
- Jacqueline Aguilar, Government and Public Affairs Manager, Kern County, CA
- Brenda Canseco, Program Manager, University of California, San Diego*, North County San Diego, CA
- Elmy Bermejo, Advisory Board Member, HOPE,* San Francisco, CA
- A. Arias, Dispatcher, Vista, CA
- Luisa McCarthy, Co-Owner, La Vista Memorial Park and Mortuary, Bonita, CA
- Brenda Esparza, Escondido, CA
- Samantha Villavicencio, Escondido, CA
- Adriana Brunner, VP External Affairs, MANA de North County San Diego, North County Escondido, CA
- Graciela, Community Member, MANA de North County San Diego, San Diego, CA
- Norma Jasso, Board Member MANA de North County San Diego, Oceanside, CA
- Corie De Anda, Hermanitas Director, MANA de North County San Diego, Escondido, CA
- Gabriela Hooshmand, President & Co-founder, MANA de North County San Diego, North County San Diego, CA
- Dulce Miranda, VP of External Affairs, MANA de North County, San Diego Bonsall, North County
- Delia H Talamantez, Member, MANA de San Diego, San Diego, CA
- Wilma Perez Espinoza, Retired, Past President, MANA National Latina Organization, MANA de San Diego, Belmont, CA
- Maria E. Garcia, Retired Principal, MANA Member, North Park, CA
- Karina Quintanilla, Mayor, Palm Desert, CA
- Shauna Turak, Registered Nurse, SCL Health, Westminster, CA
- Adriana Reid, CEO, Downtown San Diego, CA
- Lety Gómez, Advocate, La Comadre Network- Texas, North Texas
- Bhumi Ramani, Blue Shield Promise Health
- David Brooke, Philanthropist, Community Supporter, MANA de North County, El Cajon, California.
- Nikki Clay, Retired, San Diego, CA
- Dina Cervantes, Principal, I.6.8 Consulting, Los Angeles, CA
- Lydia Brazon, Executive Director, HLP, Los Angeles, CA
- Laurie Black, Commissioner, San Diego City Commission on the Status of Women, San Diego, CA
- Ivelyse Andino, CEO & Founder, Radical Health, New York City, NY
- David Espinoza, Community Member, San Marcos, CA
- Laisa Galarza,Community Resident, District 1- National City, CA
- Sonia Macias, Community Resident, National City, CA
- Laura Olivas, Consultant, Independent, San Diego, CA
- Patricia E Chavez, Head of External Relations*, Chula Vista, CA
- Samantha Martin, Communications Manager, Self, El Cajon, CA
- Luis Enrique Rodriguez, Imperial Beach, CA
- Ariana Carmona Federico, Community Advocate, Lemon Grove, CA
- Enrique Aranda, Whittier, CA
- Janice Luna Reynoso, Mundo Gardens, National City, CA
- Anabel Arauz, Chula Vista, CA
- Holly Harwood, La Jolla, CA
- Dr. Feliza Ortiz Licon, Long Beach, CA
- Irmina Haq MD MPH, Signal Hill, CA
- Audrey Dow, Los Angeles, CA
- Melissa Diaz, Long Beach, CA
- Sandy Naranjo, National City, CA
- Autumn Leal, Chula Vista, CA
- Marlissa Hernandez, San Francisco CA
- Summer Leal, San Diego, CA
- Gina Dewar, Chula Vista, CA
- Rosie Arroyo, Los Angeles, CA
- Robert Villarreal, Chula Vista, CA
- Ruben Sanchez, Oakland, CA
- Janet Chrones, Escondido, CA
- Michaela Boster, Previous Chula Vista resident
- Xochitl Herrera, Whittier, CA
- Deshannee Johnice, Oakland, CA
- Osiris Romero, Executive Assistant, Bonita, CA
- Dr. Alberto Gutierrez, Lodi, California
- Alba Sanchez, Community Outreach Coordinator, University Heights, CA
- Sylvia Soto, Community Center Director, Los Angeles, CA
- Alicia Gonzalez, Paradise Hills, CA
- Darcie Green, Community Health Advocate, Bay Area, CA
- Carina Lopez MD, Chula Vista, CA
- Nancy Stone, Seattle
- Ms. Shaina Tsan, San Francisco, CA
- Dr. Andrea Palacios Skorepa, Retired CEO of Casa Familiar, Bonita, CA Maria Teresa Ratcliff, San Diego, CA
*For Identification Purposes Only
organizations & LEADERS calling for browning's resignation
Copyright © 2024 Bye Brigette - All Rights Reserved.
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