Minutes 07-07-2020 Virtual Listening Session on Policing and Racial Justice in Orange County

Browse Search

3 together. He said he would like to see more outreach from the Sheriff's Office, and hopes the BOCC can offer more racial diversity in its own members. Soteria Shepperson said she is an organizer, business owner, and citizen in Orange County, and is concerned about policing in the schools. She said she has dear white friends, and wonders if they are speaking to their sons, as she has to speak to young black boys in her life. She said White People are also suffering as a result of racism in America. She said she wants to know where white boys are getting guns. She said it takes more time in North Carolina to be a Barber than is does to be a Police Officer. She said she has been a substitute teacher in CHCCS, and on March 11 of this year, she and several students were thrown out of the library by the Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools PTA president, who stated the PTA meeting was more important than theirs. She said she spoke to the library president, and she wants transformation. Rachel Thomas—Levy said she lives in Orange County and teaches in a School that is technically in Orange County. She said supports Anna Richards's comments about the NAACP's plan for change. She said she also wants to promote Maria Parker, based out of Athens, who supports defunding police by 50% over 10 years. She said she does not see the need for SROs. She said counselors and social workers are a much better use of funds. She said she lived in Asheville for years, and a black man was killed, much to the surprise of white Asheville. She said she does not want this community to sit by, and be surprised if something happens, and would rather see study and action take place. Lucy Lewis said she is a Chapel Hill native, and was the first director of the Orange County Human Rights and Relations Department. She echoed support for several previous comments, including realignment of funds; NAACP recommendations; removal of SROs, etc. She said there have been many issues around racism locally and nationally, and she hopes the BOCC will be proactive for change in this community. Allison Mahaley thanked the BOCC for holding the listening session, and said she is surprised by the lack of diversity in this County. She said the Black Community has been pushed out, and the Court House currently sits in a formerly African American neighborhood. She said the Fairview neighborhood sits on top of a former landfill, and there are deep issues that point to systemic racism here in Orange County. She said she feels a lot of hope that the country is in the middle of a national transformation during this pandemic. She said she realizes the budget has already been set, but hopes to see a long term plan of shifting resources away from law enforcement, and towards agencies that support black and brown communities. She said she is especially concerned about housing, and affordable housing. Blake Tedder said he just returned from the coast, and was shocked by the Trump and confederate flags that he saw. He said it is a different world than what he sees in Orange County. He said overt racism is definitely here in Orange County, but it looks different than the eastern coast. He said the BOCC has to step up its game regarding systemic racism, and overt racism is on the rise and is beyond concerning. He said local leaders must be a shining light. He agreed with listening to the words of the NAACP, and other speakers here tonight. He said he is extremely worried that racism will continue to get a foothold, and Orange County will be taken down. Elvira Mebane said she was not going to speak, as she was attending a virtual meeting with the Board of Elections. She said she is concerned about SROs, and many kids do not see them as armed police person. She said the SROs present a positive role to the students. She said her own child is ready to attend to high school, and his experience with SROs was incredibly positive. She said she would like to find a way to keep the SROs presence in the schools, and suggested they may not need to have guns. She said the SRO programs have helped her child. She challenged the BOCC to find a way to allow students to continue to have positive relationships with law enforcement.