Proud to be Franco-American
To the editor:
I was deeply offended by the recent remarks of Gov. Paul LePage. When discussing the issue of vetoing bills in the Maine Legislature, the governor said that even he understood the Maine Constitution despite the fact that he is French.
For years, Franco-Americans were treated as second-class citizens. In 1919, it even became illegal to speak French in Maine schools. Luckily, as time marched on, the acceptance and appreciation for our heritage progressed and we fought hard to overcome the discrimination that we faced.
Because of our shared past, it is outrageous and offensive for the governor to speak in a way that lends credibility to hurtful stereotypes. This is not the first time the governor has spoken this way. I have heard from my constituents, and many others around Aroostook County, who cannot believe the governor would speak of our heritage disparagingly.
We are proud to be Franco-American and we have a strong cultural identity, but that does not mean that we do not love Maine and respect its constitution. We are French, but we are also Mainers.
Rep. Roland “Danny” Martin
House District 150
Frenchville
