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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-08-06-LHRC-min Town of Lexington,Human Rights Committee Meeting Thursday,August 6th,2020 Virtual 9:00a.m.-10:17a.m. Present Committee Members: Monami D. Roy (Chair), Tanya Gisolfi (Vice Chair), Georgia Swann (Clerk), Fuang Ying Huang, Jeffrey Toronto, Melissa Interess (Town Manager's Office Member/Human Services Department), James E. Barry Jr. (Police Department), Scott Bokun (LP S) Meeting called to order at 9:02 AM, Quorum was present at 9:02 AM. 1. Welcome Noting in the midst of two pandemics -- the recent COVID 19 and 400 + years of racism. We all own America's history. LHRC has special duty to consider these issues vis a vis Lexington on a deeper level both as a committee and as individuals. We must listen carefully to those voices that are often not heard in Lexington. 2. Minutes • Approval of June 4th Minutes -- Motion made by SB, Seconded by MDR, All in Favor. • Approval of June 26th Minutes —Motion made by MI, Seconded by TG, All in Favor. 3. Discussion of two upcoming Long Shadow • TG: The Long Shadow is a film about the history of anti-Black racism in the United States and would be a valuable resource for members of the community to see to better understand the origins of systemic racism. • A community viewing would allow LHRC to present the film to the public and follow up the viewing with a Q and A session with the producer of the film. • TG: Brief explanation of the proposal to provide active bystander training to the community. Previous trainings have been held at Cary Library and were well attended. • Motion to move forward with submitting a request to the Town of Lexington for funding for Long Shadow community viewing and Q&A and Active Bystander Training for members of the community made by SB, Seconded by GS, All in Favor. 1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE•LEXINGTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02420 4. Update on Select Board initiatives re: race/equity • Thanks to the Select Board and School Committee for working diligently during the Covid-19 pandemic and also actively working on issues related to racial justice. LHRC has been working on equity issues for a long time and engaging with the various cultural groups in Lexington. There is a lot of pressure to see results because of the current climate in the community, LHRC and SB and SC are very aware of the urgency and are working with the community to make needed change in a thoughtful way to avoid doing more harm than good. • Public Comment by Valerie Overton: Appreciates The Long Shadow and would also like to acknowledge indigenous people. Notes an active bystander training would serve a maximum of 20 people. Mentions mixed results when interacting with various cultural groups. Asks that LHRC members to be active bystanders when attending town meeting and events. 5. Who Are We Demographic Breakdown of Lexington Summary: • MI: The work group looked as different demographic data points that were available in town surveys as well as state and national data sets to try to gather information about the demographics of the town of Lexington. • MDR— Thanks to the workgroup for this important information and the report will be sent out to the upcoming workgroups for this year as a stepping point for their work. 6. Logistical Plans for the year given Zoom/COVID, Time/Date Monthly meetings • Future Monthly Meeting Dates and Time : 2nd Thursday of the Month at 9:00a.m. 7. Ideas for possible public/private workgroups and who from LHRC might lead them. • Gender Discrimination: GS • Racial Disparities in Lexington: TBD • Policing in Lexington: JB • Housing in Lexington: TBD • Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Disability: JT, would need cooperation from Commission on Disability and perhaps SEPAC • LGBTQ Needs: MI • Recruiting members from the community will be crucial to each of these possible future work groups 1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE•LEXINGTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02420 8. Declaration of Racism as Public Health Issue • LHRC would like to begin the process of making this declaration as a starting point for gathering data that will be used to understand the issue and plan future actions. • Motion to Declare Racism as a Public Health Crisis with approval of language from Board of Health and form a workgroup around the idea made by TG, Seconded by JT, All in Favor. • TG will lead the workgroup on this. 9. Chair and Member Reports • Dismantling Racism Curriculum is now open to the community, LHRC can direct anyone interested in more information. • Together We Rise is a newer organization to encourage community members take action on social justice issues that matter to them. • Thank you to all of the community members and the organizer Christina Lin for their involvement in the viewing and discussion of the film I'm Not Racist... Am I? • JT: Stressed the importance of the continued use of face masks and social distancing during the pandemic as a matter of public health and safety. • GS: Attended a meeting of the Commission on Disability, discussed the issue of the disparity of student discipline affecting children with disabilities and/or children belonging to minority groups. Future actions include the possibility of a co-meeting with COD Chair Victoria Buckley and representatives of LPS. • SB: Thanked MDR and TG for their participation in the panel organized by Christina Lin for the film I'm Not Racist... Am I? 10. Election Results • Clerk: Georgia Swann • Vice Chair: Tanya Gisolfi • Chair: Mona Roy Public Comments None Motion to Adjourn: TG Seconded: MDR Meeting Adjourned 10:17am 1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE•LEXINGTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02420 Next Meeting Date and Time: TBD Th in September at 9:00a.m. LIST OF DOCUMENTS Chair Report Draft Proposal for showing The Long Shadow and also to offer Active Bystander Training Draft Motion to Declare Racism a Public Health Crisis Respectfully submitted, Georgia Swann Clerk, LHRC 1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE•LEXINGTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02420