Fairhaven Needs Diversity Committee
There’s a group of people who have been working hard to bring a committee to the town of Fairhaven whose focus would be giving a voice to the voiceless. The Diversity Equity and Inclusion committee has been in the works for the better part of a year.
We started as a subcommittee to explore whether this was worthwhile, as people within the town reached out and suggested its creation. After several meetings, we decided it was worth putting together
To shorten this story, after months of research, discussion, and exploration we asked to be considered to become an official town committee. Finally I was told that it would be explored in a “few” weeks after selecting a new Town Administrator. I didn’t agree with this suggestion but a “few weeks” isn’t long to wait, so I demonstrated patience.
Well the clock on a “few” weeks started December 3, 2020. By my definition of few, that has come and gone…several times over. This is obviously not an important issue so I am going to demonstrate a few matters that could have been helped by this committee
Example 1:
Recently the town put together a committee to evaluate candidates for town administrator. The town quickly recognized this committee was made up of all men from similar racial backgrounds. This was not received well by the majority of the vocal members of the town. The primary focus of this negative energy was in fact the lack of gender diversity within this team of people despite the presence of gender diversity within the various town committees.
How would a DEI committee have helped that situation? Upon receiving the list of names for consideration in the committee we could have pointed out the lack of diversity and make the suggestion that an additional inquiry be sent to give the committees the option to suggest a different member be their representative on the committee. The suggestion could have also been made to simply appoint someone to the committee instead of appointing oneself to the committee only to miss the first meeting.
Example 2:
As a town we are fractured. Everybody has taken a side. This has spilled over into families, friends, etc. As someone seeking to take on more responsibility as a public servant I would like to be able to represent everybody. However I’ve had the liberty of watching the division become even greater. This is the wrong direction.
If there was a group whose purpose it was to give a voice to the voiceless there could have been a town forum. Even in a virtual era this is possible. People of varying viewpoints could have spoken or even had a playful debate. The town could have viewed and gained an understanding of why one might take it personally that although you are voting for one side because of the perceived economic benefit, a person of color could be hurt that you prioritize your bank account over their ability to feel safe walking down the street.
Example 3:
Through a great deal of research and reporting, it has been brought to the attention of the townspeople, that the sitting Finance Director/ Treasurer/Collector/Town Administrator has some matters in her background that make her a questionable candidate for any of the positions, but particularly the first 3, as these questions involve money and one’s ability to handle it. It brings into question whether this person is not only fit to be in the role of Town Administrator, even if in a temporary nature, but also whether she is fit to hold the job for which she is hired.
This person is one of only a very few females in management. In an environment that lacks the presence of gender inclusion, there are many variables that play into the handling of this matter. However if there was an organization dedicated to ensuring the inclusion of people of varying gender identities, they could serve as an impartial entity to review, evaluate, or oversee the process to make sure this person was not treated unfairly.
Oftentimes when people think of diversity they think of it as a black issue. It’s an everybody issue. Diversity Equity and Inclusion is important. It should be important to all of us.
Leon Correy, Fairhaven
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