Agenda - 06-05-2018 8-a - Minutes

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3 The HRC held its annual Human Relations Month Forum on January 29, 2017, titled “Pluralism 1 and Islamophobia: The Continuing Struggle”. The HRC also held the 27th Annual Pauli Murray 2 Awards on March 12, 2017. The Awards recognized a youth, an adult, and a business that 3 embody the characteristics of the late Dr. Pauli Murray in their dedication to social justice in the 4 community. The Annual Student Essay Contest was held as a part of the Pauli Murray Awards 5 to engage Orange County youth in the quest for social justice and equal opportunities. Three 6 middle schoolers and three high schoolers were recognized for their essays. 7 The HRC sponsored a Town Hall on June 8, 2017 with the Hate Free Schools Coalition, 8 titled “The Confederate Flag: Does it belong in Our Schools?”. The meeting was an effort to 9 provide an opportunity for education, discussion, and understanding to address the growing 10 tension as a result of Confederate flags being allowed in Orange County public schools. 11 Several panelists with varying points of view spoke and residents were also given an 12 opportunity to ask questions and make their own statements on the issue. 13 The Community Read Program has been in partnership with UNC in recent years. It is 14 possible that HRC may continue with this alone, and conduct it slightly earlier in the year. 15 16 Emerging Issues or concern: 17 1. Ensuring that the membership of the HRC reflects racial, cultural and gender diversity. 18 2. Recruiting more representation from Northern Orange for the HRC. 19 3. Creating an open line of communication between the HRC and other residents in order 20 to keep up-to-date on social justice issues impacting all parts of the County. 21 4. Exploring the HRC’s outreach and marketing in order to draw more residents to events. 22 5. Engage the community in frequent conversations to promote positive communication 23 and understanding. 24 6. What is happening around the UNC campus, and how do they include them in their 25 conversations. 26 27 Commissioner Burroughs said the interest in civility is exciting, and suggested that the 28 HRC contact Aaron Keck from WCHL about this issue. 29 Commissioner Rich said she liked the idea of promoting the HRC more, and if a 30 Facebook page would be helpful she is in favor of that. She suggested that the HRC work with 31 Todd McGee, Community Relations Director, to insure that information is disseminated in an 32 efficient matter. 33 Commissioner McKee referred to the conversation about the flag, and said he felt 34 people were talking at each other, and asked if there is a way to connect opposite views in 35 more of a conversation, as opposed to people sharing talking points. He said the event was 36 good, but he is not sure any minds were changed, and he would like to have a true 37 conversation. 38 Deborah Stroman said the HRC felt the same way, and this is a process. She said the 39 HRC felt it was a big win to have differing opinions in one room, and both sides were 40 passionate. She said at the end of the meeting people did not leave, but stayed and talked to 41 each other, as well as the other side. 42 Commissioner Jacobs said the Board got an email today from a UNC journalism student 43 requesting to talk to someone on the HRC about the flag issue. He said it may take a series of 44 meetings to discuss these sorts of topics. 45 Commissioner Jacobs said the Board struggles at public hearings to make sure people 46 are engaged and feel heard. He said the interaction between the elected officials and residents 47 needs to be more robust and effective, from the perspective of the residents. He said any work 48 the HRC could do to this end would be very helpful. 49