The resolution recognizes that “racist beliefs are a direct threat to our residents and visitors” and contribute to a health disparity for people of color. Pictured, a recent Black Lives Matter march in the village (Photo by Malaya Booth)
Council declares racism ‘public health crisis’
- Published: July 1, 2020
At its June 15 regular meeting, Village Council declared racism a public health crisis and committed to taking “meaningful action” to respond to the “death, trauma and injury caused by institutional racism.”
The resolution, approved unanimously at the virtual meeting, states that the Village recognizes that “racist beliefs are a direct threat to our residents and visitors” and contribute to a health disparity for people of color.
“It is the responsibility of local government in collaboration with community members to actively identify this threat, prioritize implementation of anti-racist policies and take other intentional actions to address systemic racism,” the resolution adds.
With the resolution, Council commits to continuing to reform local policing, to improving affordability for residents and to prioritizing racial equity in decision-making, among other steps outlined.
Council member Kevin Stokes, who is Black, hailed the measure, saying that while some don’t believe racism is real, it continues as a vestige of slavery in the U.S. Stokes expressed some optimism that progress could now be made to address racism, as “since it was done intentionally, it can be undone intentionally.”
“All these things that are wrong have been wrong for a very long time, but there seems to be this momentum now to make some substantive changes,” he said.
Council Vice President Marianne MacQueen, a white person, said she is planning to propose “radical change” for local policing, and also wants the Village to think about how it can address racism in the county and state.
“I’m aware that while certainly racism exists in Yellow Springs, I would say it’s a bigger problem outside of Yellow Springs,” she said. “It behooves us to make a decision about whether we want to engage in activities beyond our village.”
Council member Laura Curliss, who is also white, is keen to focus on police reform, using recommendations from the former Justice System Task Force and other “best practices.” Council member Lisa Kreeger wants to take a closer look at police policies and budgets, as well as committing to personal work to dismantle racism.
“I think institutional racism in the village hides in places that perhaps I, as a white person, wouldn’t even notice or in microaggressions I wouldn’t even recognize,” she said. “I’m working very hard to be more aware. That’s a journey that will never end.”
The resolution itself recognizes that racism has “multiple dimensions,” including, “individual racism that is internalized or interpersonal as well as systemic racism that is institutional or structural.”
Village Manager Josué Salmerón, who is Latino, said he was encouraged by the discussion, noting that he has personally experienced discrimination, while also acknowledging his privilege, and that he wants to make more progress in local policing.
“We have done some of the work, and there is so much more to do,” he said.
YS Police Chief Brian Carlson, who is white, said he looks forward to more dialogue on race issues locally, and said he believes “we can make a significant change in our small community” when it comes to policing reform.
Finally, Village Council President Brian Housh, who is white, said the resolution is not merely “platitudes” or based upon the “trendy thing to do.”
“You’re going to see action, like you’ve seen the last few years,” he said.
The resolution can be read in full at ysnews.com.
In other Council business:
• Salmerón recently celebrated his one year anniversary as Village manager, it was announced at the meeting.
• Council passed the second and final reading of an ordinance asserting the right of village renters to “pay to stay.” The measure requires local landlords to accept late payments so that a tenant can stay in their residence and would be enforced by Xenia Municipal Court. In addition, there are now relief funds available for local renters having difficulty making payments, YSPD Outreach Specialist Florence Randolph announced at a later town hall meeting. For those seeking relief, Randolph can be reached at 937-767-3716.
• Council unanimously passed an ordinance canceling utility debts accrued before 2015. That amount totals around $430,000. By Ohio law, the Village cannot collect on debt older than six years, Salmerón explained. The Village is considering options to collect on accounts that are less than 120 days behind in payments, including a collection agency. In a related effort, Salmerón will soon present a recommendation on overdue utility payment plans for local tenants, which currently require the approval of local landlords.
• The Village registered for potential FEMA grants to cover expenses occurred during the coronavirus pandemic, Salmerón reported. The Village has spent municipal funds on hand sanitizer, digital signs, masks and protective equipment for municipal employees, additional staff time, WiFi boosting and more.
• Council held an in-person executive session at the Bryan Center on Saturday, June 13, to interview candidates for the Village solicitor position, it was reported. No new hire has been made.
• Council’s next regular meeting is Monday, July 6, at 7 p.m. via Zoom, YouTube and Facebook Live.
2 Responses to “Council declares racism ‘public health crisis’”
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Rent is too damn high! Property prices are off the charts! That’s to keep “certain kinds of people” out or what??? Well, that’s what it looks like to the rest of us. It’s always been like that. I remember decades ago wife and I looked at a property for sale that didn’t even have a furnace but offered a tin drum to burn somethin in to keep warm and the price was “astronomical” even though it needed “a little work” What the hell is up with that? Average people can’t afford to live there. Your Black population is declining according to last posted Census records. Why is it feast or famine down there? Why does everything cost more than you can get it online or elsewhere? Those prices are like an invisible gate. WTF is up with all that? Personally, it’s a ‘nice place to visit’, but who can afford to live there? Maybe all those rich folk can get together and figure out how it got that way and why the community remains an impenetrable bubble.
Well, for one thing you could offer more things of interest to the Black community from a cultural perspective and lower some prices of wares you do sale because there are not many Blacks visiting the village. Not everyone has deep pockets like Chappelle. I recently searched for some Black History books, didn’t find much. Oh yeah, it’s almost “trendy” to paint a mural of George, but how much has the village really reached out to be culturally inclusive to Blacks before “the news”?? I haven’t had a Black friend ever show any interest in Yellow Springs. People with racist attitudes should get themselves a DNA ancestry test, it just might change their perspective. Yellow Springs wants to be “everything to everybody” and that’s a difficult task, but, hey, at least you’re looking at it. Maybe if people learn to be anti-racist in the village they can use that tool in places more diverse from Black perspectives.