2023-08-23-LHRC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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A committee member emailed a summary of concerns on the Serious Talks curriculum that they heard or received from community members.The email was read and is included in the addendum of these meeting minutes.Members expressed appreciation for the careful and thoughtful perspectives that offered insight for community members who did not intend harm to others but were apprehensive about the curriculum. Committee members were supportive of the statement.Only a couple of word corrections were made.The final copy of the statement is included as a separate PDF document.The DRAFT version is included in the addendum and the FINAL copy is attached as a PDF. A member shared their appreciation for the letter as a support for students, vulnerable community members and future students.Also,a member shared that a number of parents across multiple demographics felt they did not always feel as well informed and suggested that the schools might benefit from a little more visibility in the work they are doing so more parents can understand what is happening.And emphasized their belief that this work can only become institutionalized when people in the community feel like they are stakeholders and are heard. 5.Request for LHRC co-sponsorship a.Indigenous Peoples’Day Committee voted in support of co-sponsorship of the Bedford Area Indigenous Peoples’Day Celebration event by a vote of 6-0. Event date:Saturday,October 8 at 1pm b.Lexington Lyceum Committee voted in support of co-sponsorship of Lexington Lyceum’s upcoming session titled “Why can’t we talk to each other?Extremism, polarization,bias and our town.”by a vote of 6-0. Event description :Join us as expert panelists discuss how divisions develop –on the national and local level –and how to promote a culture of open,respectful communication in Lexington and beyond.Learn how improving civil discourse allows us to approach difficult topics to build healthier relationships and a more connected community.Tuesday,October 24 at 7-8:30PM : A member expressed appreciation for other community organizations supporting the LHRC’s mission around increasing civil discourse.A couple of questions were asked (1)will there be guidance on civil discourse?If not, perhaps the LHRC could share it’s guidelines,(2)Are the panelist for the event known and was there effort to increase the diversity of panelists?-The chair will follow up on those questions. 1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE •LEXINGTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02420