HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-03-11-FHC-min.pdf Fair Housing Lummittee Minutes 3/ 11 , 92
Present Gerri Weathers , Chairman Florence Baturin
Jim Brannon Mary Haskell ; Leona Martin
Nicole T Herrmann and Marion Kilson,
visitors Steve Baran, Fair Housing Director
( recorder )
Absent Peter Brown Bob Pressman Bill Spencer
Mrs Kitson had expressed concerns in the Minuteman about the
need for a Human Rights Commission in Lexington noted a recent
letter to the Minuteman entitled "Japanese family is upset by
treatment from some residents " ( see attached) She had written
to the Superintendent of Schools and to the Minuteman protesting
this behavior She went on to cell of the negative experiences
due to race experienced by her own biracial family
There was a review of the limited diversity train rig that had
already taken place for some students in the schools and for the
Town' s management team The latter had taken place following the
suggestion of the chairman of the Board of Selectmen that this be
carried out
II
Gerri noted that some people had questioned whether the Fair
Housing Committee had a mandate to look into civil rights , but in
view of the rise in hate crimes and discrimination it might be
timely to initiate a Human Rights Commission During the
previous week, there had been attacks on the police including
racial slurs written on a wall deriding a Black policeman
In relation to the proposed distribution of a Fair Housing
Committee brochure that will invite people from out of town to
consider living in Lexington Gerri asked the group to respond to
the question, 'What kind of town is Lexington? Is it friendly?
Is it friendly to Blacks" How do Black and White chi dren get
along with each other?
Fair Housing Committee members of colors described disturbing
experiences nvolving the Lexington police One member commented
that Lexington was no better or worse than any other place ; he
considered the expression of hatred to be " routine" Others felt
that because Black people have found a way td deal with hatred,
that doesn' t make it right
Steve Baran described a complaint against the Police Department
lodged by a visitor with Turette' s syndrome who alleged he had
been dealt with in an unfair and insensitive manner because of
their failure to accept that he was disabled Gerri Weathers
suggested that these experiences be shared with Jacquie Smith,
Chairman of the Board of Selectmen
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