A MESSAGE TO THE CITIZENS OF DISTRICT THREE**
Let me be very clear: The disrespect ends today.
I will not tolerate slurs, racial or ethnic insults, personal attacks, threats, or harassment directed at me. Whether you are a woman or a man, you will respect me, and I will respect you. We can disagree. We can debate. We can challenge each other’s ideas. But there is a line between political disagreement and treating another human being with cruelty and disrespect.
My page is not a playground.
For far too long, some people have treated me like a punching bag simply because of my heritage. I will not apologize for who I am. I am proud of my heritage, proud to be an American, and proud to stand before the people of District Three as a candidate.
If the fact that I am an American of Mexican heritage bothers you, that is something you will have to cope with. I will not allow anyone’s prejudice to determine whether I belong in this community or whether I have the right to run for office.
I have traveled and lived in different places, and I have never experienced anything quite like seeing some people believe that using racial or ethnic slurs is acceptable political behavior. It is not. Not everyone behaves this way, and I will not paint an entire community with the same brush. But those who engage in this behavior need to take a hard look at themselves.
You are better than this. Act like decent human beings
If you don’t like me, that’s okay. If you don’t like my campaign, that’s okay too. If you disagree with my policies, I welcome the debate. But if your purpose is to come onto my page to harass, insult, demean, or attack me, take your harassment somewhere else.
I am not going anywhere.
I will be on that ballot in November, and **no amount of harassment, intimidation, or hateful language is going to stop me.** I have worked too hard, sacrificed too much, and come too far to be driven away by people who believe they can silence me.
I am a strong woman. I know who I am, I know why I am running, and I know who I am fighting for.
This campaign is bigger than me. It is about the people of District Three who deserve representation, accountability, opportunity, and a voice that will actually listen to them.
And let me say this plainly: the slurs end today
You have a choice in November. If you believe the status quo is working, you have the right to vote for the candidate who represents it. If you believe District Three needs something different, I am here to serve you.
I don’t expect everyone to like me.
I expect everyone to respect me.
And in return, I will respect you.
Let’s disagree like adults. Let’s debate the issues. Let’s fight for our communities.
But leave the hate, the slurs, and the harassment behind.
I am still standing. I am still running. And I am not backing down.
Priscilla Gonzalez
Candidate for Congress
Louisiana’s 3rd Congressional District
