Minutes 12-07-2020 Virtual Business Meeting

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17 private entities and financial institutions with the express purpose of investing in our Black/African American students and their families, investing in Black-owned farms and businesses, investing in Black/African American workers and investing in communities of color as first steps in providing long overdue reparations for the centuries of suffering, loss, anguish, injustice and trauma inflicted upon Black/African American women, men and children; and BE IT MOREOVER RESOLVED, that the Orange County Board of County Commissioners shall forward this resolution to the Governor of North Carolina, the North Carolina General Assembly, the Orange County Delegation to the US House of Representatives, and the North Carolina Members of the United States Senate. Signed this 7th day of December 2020. Chair Renee Price Orange County Board of County Commissioners Commissioner Greene said she had additional language to add regarding federal reparations. She said other local governments are interested in joining together to call for federal steps towards reparations. She read the proposed language, which is referenced in above resolution, in the first "be it further resolved" section. Commissioner Hamilton asked for broader language regarding healthcare disparities amongst African Americans in the 6t" whereas. She proposed the following language: "whereas, as evidenced in morbidity mortality rates, black African Americans have worse health outcomes due to the effects of systemic racism, including poor access to quality health care, higher rates of poverty, increased likelihood of living in a polluted environment, more stress, and sometimes biased treatment by medical professionals." Commissioner Dorosin said he appreciated Commissioner Hamilton's remarks, and asked if access to health insurance could be included. He said gender expression should be added to the first "be it resolved". Commissioner Bedford said gender should also be included. Commissioner Fowler said ability should also be added. Commissioner Bedford asked if Commissioner Greene could provide clarity about her additional language, as it seems very broad. She said she supports all the wording, but wondered if it is too broad. Commissioner Greene said it is the exact same language that is being used in the Carrboro resolution. She said the language is not specific to Black African Americans, but it is certainly applicable. Commissioner McKee said he supports the original resolution and the wording added by Commissioner Hamilton, but referred to the first "be it further resolved" and said he cannot accept letters "b" and "c". He said letter"d" will cause low wage workers to lose their jobs, unless it is brought in very slowly. He referred to letter "a", and asked if a monetary number could be suggested. He asked if seizure of property or taxes will pay for this proposal. Commissioner Greene said the argument is being made by "From Here to Equality" authors, Darity and Mullen, that descendants of slaves and white Americans will never be on a level plane if only jobs are considered. She said the issue goes back to net worth, and the proposal calls for millions and millions of dollars to be paid to those who can prove they are descended from slaves. She said there would be a federal commission to oversee this process. She said this conversation has started at the federal level.