Mead, Jefferson at odds over Grafton anti-bigotry resolution
Newly elected Select Board member Andy Jefferson thought the timing was right for the board to take a strong stand against racism.
Spurred by a resident’s recent public request and with the town’s first celebration of Juneteenth coming on Monday, Jefferson submitted a resolution to the board, basing it on similar resolutions made by the towns of Chelmsford and York, Maine.
“I feel that racism and bigotry need to be addressed head-on,” Jefferson said.
Select Board member Ray Mead worried the resolution would prompt people to ask the Select Board to moderate speech in the community.
“I’m really kind of confused by what the intent of this document is,” Mead said. “I read this and I look at this and I say ‘the select board is now going to be the police of what this is about.
“I picture a parade of people coming before us… and we’re now judge and jury,” he added.
The full text of the proposed resolution:
WHEREAS:
Racism, discrimination and bigotry are destructive of community; and
Everyone has the right to live peacefully, enjoy all the community has to offer, raise their family, and seek economic and academic opportunities free of racism, discrimination and bigotry; and
A strong, healthy, sustainable community includes and embraces people of every color, race, ethnicity, creed, sexual orientation and gender identity; and
Words and acts of racism, discrimination, and hatred can be both intentional and unintentional, but either way such words and acts are unjust; and
Active effort is required to combat racism, discrimination and bigotry; and
Great social change requires leadership and an ongoing organization-wide commitment in order to succeed.
It is important that we recognize and own our biases, that we listen, that we strive to do better, and that we take genuine action to stand against racism, discrimination, and hatred. NOW, THEREFORE, we the Grafton Select Board, promise to:
Condemn and stand against racism, discrimination, and hatred; and
Better understand and acknowledge those privileges we enjoy while others do not, simply because of our heritage, background, and experiences; and
Listen and learn about how we can do better and how our community can do better to embrace, support, and lift up people who are discriminated against and marginalized; and
Promote and embrace diversity, equity, inclusiveness, and justice for everyone in our community and beyond.
FURTHER, WE DO HEREBY submit that residents, employers, places of worship, and elected or appointed officials in our community must engage in similar commitments to condemn and stand against racism, discrimination, and hatred and to support, foster and encourage a community spirit that reflects trust and respect for all. To quote Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., “In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”
Select Board Chair Colleen Roy agreed with Mead’s objection to the final paragraph, which addresses “residents, employers, places of worship, and elected or appointed officials.” While Jefferson said he wanted the board to be a “united front” to reassure residents that hate speech has no place in Grafton.
“if its coming from us, it should focus on elected officials,” Roy said.
“But that could be just one paragraph… all of this other stuff that’s on here should not be on here,” Mead said.
Both Jefferson and Mead said they would come back with different language for a resolution.
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