An Open Letter to Judge Bailey Moseley

In response to the egregious Facebook post made by Judge Moseley on Monday, January 23, 2017, I wrote this letter to him, which will be sent in an email later today.  I also called his office yesterday afternoon to express my opinion of his comments.  My call was taken by a sympathetic, though seemingly weary, woman who said she would pass along my message.

January 24, 2017

To  Honorable Judge Bailey Moseley:

Although I am not one of your constituents, I am a Texas-born woman who takes umbrage with your recent Facebook comments concerning the women’s march, an event that was held literally around the world.  For your reference, because I’m sure you say a lot of things, here is the quote:

“Just think about this.  After just one day in office, Trump managed to achieve something

that no one else has been able to do: he got a million fat women out walking.”

~ Judge Bailey Moseley on Facebook, 1.23.17

Though I addressed you as “honorable”, there is nothing honorable about what you wrote.  As a judge for whom remaining impartial is imperative, your comments were biased, not to mention how rude and crude they were. The fact that you retracted your statement does not take away the hurt and harm you did to people not only in your district, but people everywhere.  You should know nothing on the Internet “goes away” just because you delete it.  We will never forget your ugly words.  Never.  Sadly, you will forever be associated with those unkind and cruel remarks. Because you are a public figure in public “service”, you should already know this. Your words demonstrate to all who read it what you really think about the women who exercised their lawful first amendment right to peaceful assembly. Your comments were disgraceful as a judge, gentleman, and a Christian.

As a Christian (here I am assuming due to your church affiliation in the Baptist denomination) and a leader in your church, which I learned from your online biography, you know that Proverbs 23:7  tells us, “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” Your campaign website states that “Moseley is known for his strong integrity.” The comments on Facebook say otherwise. Your arrogance and insensitivity are appalling.  You do not represent the Texans I know, unless you represent the red-necked bubbas who are dull-witted due to their genetic inbreeding and alcohol-poisoned brains.  

Perhaps I’ve not given you enough credit.  Perhaps you do not truly understand the purpose of these marches. Please allow me to enlighten you.   We now know millions of women, though men and children, too, marched for as many reasons as there were people in the marches.  The “Mother March” in Washington, D.C. billed its march as “peaceful”, with its purpose being to uphold all human rights. They were explicit in saying this was not an anti-Trump march, although many took that stance, which was certainly their right to do so. Marchers were asked to be respectful, show no hate, to be clean and not trash the event, and to do no violence.  By far and large, we did exactly that.

Judge Moseley, I am a well read, highly educated and intelligent woman who holds four university degrees, two of which are master’s degrees. I am also one of those fat woman you mentioned, along with her equally fat husband, who marched in Denton, Texas on Saturday, January 21. There were 2,800 of us representing the spectrum of sexuality, all colors, and all ages from the cradle to the cane. It was peaceful, uplifting, and inspiring to come together for the cause of human rights for all people.  And this leads me to my reason for marching.

Quite simply, I marched to secure human rights for all people. While I do not personally feel that my rights have been infringed, history is quite clear.  I know full well that my rights are not secure until everyone’s rights are secure. To you and others who glibly say they feel OK with their rights, that they don’t feel oppressed, I say, “Great!” You owe a debt of gratitude to those who came before you as well as to all who marched on Saturday so that people might keep their rights. I hope you continue to enjoy those hard-won rights. By the way, Judge, I gladly marched for you.

The truth is that as Americans, we all owe thanks to the suffragettes, the civil rights activists, our military, and the many others who have preceded us. For us they fought, were beaten, and many imprisoned so that rights could be enjoyed by all and not just a privileged few.  I marched because I do not want the rights we all currently hold dear to be taken away from us. I stand for equal rights for all people with regard to human sexuality and marriage, the full rights for people of color, a woman’s right to choose what to do with her own body, and allowing a pathway to citizenship for immigrants, to name just a few. We cannot go backward in time. We will not go backward in time. We are going to be watching our legislators – and judges – and holding them accountable, making sure they represent and adjudicate for ALL of the people, not just the ones who voted for them. These fat women who marched for you, Judge Moseley, will be watching, listening, and making our voices heard along with other like-minded folk.  We are out there. In huge numbers. And we vote. Oh, yes. We vote.

While we didn’t ask or expect a “thank you” for what we did, we also did not expect to be ridiculed for exercising our rights. Your hateful, mocking words are a prime example of WHY we marched.  You want to silence us through humiliation, and we will not be silenced or humiliated.  Certainly we didn’t deserve to be called “fat”. No one deserves that. You’re a bully, Judge Moseley, and I’m calling you on it. I may be fat, but as I continue my work toward a healthier lifestyle, I can say that fat can be remedied. The rudeness and bigotry you displayed in your remarks are learned and ingrained traits that show an abysmal deficit of charity and character, and are much more difficult, if not impossible, to rectify. As a Christian, you bring shame to the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, as well as to the high office which you hold.

This election cycle was unprecedented in all ways. Yes, I identify as a Progressive Democrat, but to me and millions and millions of Americans, this election cycle transcends politics. It has far-reaching implications beyond that of being a Democrat or a Republican. It has become a matter of human decency and human dignity. Your words in the Facebook post are neither.

As an elementary school librarian, I teach and work with children that are PK through 4th grade. If any one of our students had said what you said on the Facebook post, there would have been consequences. We teach our students not to say mean things. We teach our children that when they say something hurtful, they should apologize. We teach them respect for others, and how to be a decent citizen. We teach them to get along in society, and to do what is right.

So where do we go from here? In my experience, Americans are very forgiving, even to politicians! Your next step should be to apologize for what you said. A gracious and sincere apology would be accepted in the same spirit it was offered, and would demonstrate the class and style that is befitting your office. Again, as a Christian, you know that is the right thing to do. Additionally, some gesture such as a contribution to a women’s shelter in your area would further support your apology.  

Lastly, it’s important to me that as your sister in Christ, I have already forgiven you for the hurtful remarks you made. I forgive because I must also be forgiven. Please go and do likewise.

Thank you for taking the time from your schedule to read this letter.  I will be awaiting your response.  I hope that you, like our children, will do the right thing.

Sincerely,                                                                                                                                                                                               Belinda Scholl