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Home My WebLink About2022-03-10-LHRC-min RECEIVED 2022 12 May, 11 SSS aui °m TOWN CLERK Town of Lexington, Human Rights Committee Meeting LEXINGTON nn Thursday, March 10, 2022 Virtual 8:30 a.m.-9:55 a.m. Present Members:Tanya Gisolfi [TG] (Chair), Monami D. Roy [MDR] (Vice Chair,) Stephanie Hsu [SH] (Clerk), Cleveland Coates [CC], Christina Lin [CL], Melissa Interess [MI] (Town Manager's Office Member/Human Services Department), Cleveland Coates [CC], Christopher Barry [CB], (Police) Absent: Larry Freeman [LF] Meeting called to order at 8:30 AM, Quorum was present'at 8:30 AM 1. Welcome 2. Minutes -January 13, 2022; MDR motion to accept January 13, 2022, minutes; MI second; Approved unanimously 3. Commission on Disability (CoD) request for LHRC to join in a Collaborative Reform Workgroup on Emergency Response —John Rossi and Shaun Grady presented on behalf of CoD; CoD is looking to form a collaborative multi — board/committee/department workgroup that will look at the resources/training available to our first responders when they are responding to calls related>to persons with disabilities. The workgroup will make recommendations to the Town and LPb for improving our Crisis Response Training. Chief McCleansupports this effort'and someone from the department will be a part of the workgroup. MDR and SH volunteered to be a part of the workgroup from the HRC. Human Services will send a representative. MI commented that the. Mental Health Taskforce, a collaboration between the schools and municipal staff with community members serving in an advisory capacity, are working on a Critical Incident Response Protocol that is an overarching response for either Town or school depending on the incident that is meant to be the response after an incident happens, not a protocol for what to do while an incident is happening and to be aware of the difference. Suggested having LPS to be part of the workgroup and COD will follow with Dr. Hackett on same. During community comment period, some community members mentioned the importance of new police station taking mental health into account. TG noted that the new police station design includes such spaces and mentioned HEART ( osm//millionexoerimen s ccom/H A T) in Cambridge as one of the many initiatives from other towns that this workgroup may want to review. TG moved to have two LHRC members join CoD workgroup on Collaborative Reform on Emergency Response; MDR second; Approved unanimously 4. Housing Partnership Board (HPB) request for liaison —Jeri Foutter, Chair of HPB — HPB is a select board appointed membership that advocate for affordable housing in Lexington. Asking for a liaison from the HRC to the HPB. Motion to create a liaison to the HPB by MDR; MI Second; Approved unanimously. SH offered to be the liaison 5. Report on No Hate November 2021 presented by SH -committee pages/communitVprograms- events a. Finalized written report will be posted on:LHRC website Intersectionality was the theme/focus this year, thinking about an individual's structural positioning in society is key to understanding the origins of the word "intersectionality". Programming included an Expert interview with Dr: Zine Magubane of Boston College, interviews with many folx sharing personal stories of living within multiple marginalized structural position categories, and a community kindness challenge. A small group discussion was held with Lexington community members and youth about the numerous interviews. The LHRC is grateful to the amazing youth and individuals who were willing to share their personal stories. The group discussion brought forth shared experiences with the challenges of living`as individuals with multiple marginalized structural position categories here in Lexington. Dr: Zine Magubane spoke about the importance of understanding the sociology origins of the term "intersectionality" coined by Patricia Hill Collins. Dr. Collins was the 100th president of the American Sociological Association (ASA) and the first African American woman to hold this position. Dr. Magubane shared that while "intersectionality" was coined by Dr. Collins it gained greater usage by Kimberly Crenshaw's legal evolution of the term. Dr. Magubane unequivocallynoted that any discussion using the term "intersectionality" must always begin race, gender, and class and how those structural positions impact a person's marginalization in society. Youth feedback was very valuable and indicated the need for more discussions in school and the community on how to understand dissimilar experiences and perspective of persons with marginalized structural positioning. There was interest in wanting to be more supportive of those with marginalized structural positioning, but many were unsure of how to proceed and wanted to learn more. The Committee members noted with appreciation the impact of the programming and its initiative. Committee members emphasized the importance of using terms accurately and not erasing Black women's scholarship and intellectual contribution which unfortunately are often appropriated by white society without attribution. Concerns were raised about the sustainability of LHRC programs moving forward and person hours needed to execute worthwhile programing with limited Committee availability. Kindness Challenge may be more easily sustainable but will revisit scope of the larger program and committee resources. 6. Race Amity Day update —We are looking to build our team. Adam Stefansson is on board to help us again this year with video editing. CL offered to help. 7. Report Racial Disparities Sub-Committee — CL reported that the sub-committee "reviewed the slide deck from 2021 and they will be updating these slides. It was helpful to see progress made since the presentation was given. Martha Duffield, Chief Equity Officer, will be helping to align LHRC's work with her work as Chief Equity Officer for the Town. MDR responded to Committee members question the Racial Disparities group will be reaching out to Lexington Public Schools to clarify recently reported data. 8. Member Updates— a. CC -- Cane Award nominations due March 24, 2022, White Tricon Award due April 8 b. CL Parent Academy March 19. c. MI March 14 7pm joint'school committee/Human Services meeting — Mental Health assessment presentation. Additional mental health services for staff, hoping to bring on a AARPA clinician. 9. Chair Quarterly Update — In writing 10. Unexpected Items Not Reasonably Anticipated in Advance — Meeting times and location — Mask mandate in Lexington lifted — MI Governor Baker has extended order for virtual/hybrid through July. MDR requested we revisit the start time of our meetings. MI recommended we remain virtual for April and put the discussion of meeting both virtual/in-person and reassess our start time on the agenda. 11. Public Comments for Items Not on the Agenda -- none 12. Next Meeting April 14, 2022, 8:30 am MDR Motion to adjourn; MI Second; Approved unanimously Attachments: Chair Report Draft No Hate November Report