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6 <br /> 1 the cost of living affects how much time people can spend with families and neighbors, and puts <br /> 2 additional stress on families. <br /> 3 <br /> 4 4. Commissioner Remarks <br /> 5 <br /> 6 Mark Marcoplos said this was a really good forum, and he hopes conversations will <br /> 7 continue. He said there are so many more people who can contribute to this, and the Board will <br /> 8 do its best work through collaboration, and it may not always be comfortable. He said this is <br /> 9 time to get stuff done. He said in chaos there is opportunity. <br /> 10 Mark Dorosin thanked all of this evening's participants, and said this is the beginning of <br /> 11 the beginning. He said further comments can be emailed or called in to the Board. He said the <br /> 12 County website contains links to the Resolution designating Racism as a public health issue in <br /> 13 Orange County, Governor Coopers Executive Order, police data, etc. He said the Board did <br /> 14 not hold a forum just to have a forum. He said the Board will process this evening's comments <br /> 15 and determine what falls under the purview of the Board, the Sheriff, the HRC, etc. He said <br /> 16 there will be continued transparency. <br /> 17 Sally Greene thanked all the residents who came out and spoke, and the comments <br /> 18 have been very enlightening and helpful. <br /> 19 <br /> 20 5. Closing Remarks —Annette Moore, Human Rights and Relations Director <br /> 21 Annette Moore read Commissioners Price's prepared remarks: <br /> 22 <br /> 23 First, I personally want to express my appreciation to those of you who have the willingness to <br /> 24 stand up for civil rights, the courage to show up for justice, the moral conviction to speak up for <br /> 25 human dignity, and the audacity to rise up and say, Black Lives Matter. <br /> 26 <br /> 27 As we proceed to break the chains of structural racism, we need to do some truth-telling. We <br /> 28 must understand that the strength and wealth of America was built on stolen land by stolen <br /> 29 people. The land on which we now sit was stolen from the Indigenous People of the so-called <br /> 30 New World. The people who labored, with no just compensation, were stolen from their <br /> 31 homelands in Africa. <br /> 32 <br /> 33 So, the process to dehumanize people of color began centuries ago, and this dehumanization is <br /> 34 embedded deep in the American psyche. Meanwhile, the struggle and the demand for human <br /> 35 dignity also began centuries ago and has perpetuated unto today. <br /> 36 <br /> 37 With the recent witnessing of violence and murder of Black men, women and children, we are <br /> 38 seeing a resurgence in protests and outcries for reforms—for reforms in law enforcement, in the <br /> 39 judicial system, in our schools and in other sectors of our society. Once again, as in generations <br /> 40 past, Americans are endeavoring to right the wrongs of history. Indeed, we have made <br /> 41 progress, and indeed, we still have a long way to go. <br /> 42 <br /> 43 If we are to disrupt racism, if we are to change hearts and minds, and if we are to envision <br /> 44 freedom, dignity and justice for everyone, we must join together in solidarity and do the work. <br /> 45 The challenge is to recognize and respect the value of the lives of Black, Indigenous and People <br /> 46 of Color in our local and global communities. I believe we can do this. <br /> 47 <br /> 48 On behalf of the Board of County Commissioners, thank you to the people of Orange County <br /> 49 who have voiced their concerns and opinions in this listening session, thank you for <br /> 50 participating, and know that we will take action based on your input. <br /> 51 <br />