HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-06-28 - AGENDA REPORTS - CULTURAL DIVERSITY TASK FORCENEW BUSINESS
DATE:
SUBJECT:
DEPARTMENT:
BACKGROUND
AGENDA REP
June 28, 1994
Cultural Diversity Task Force
City Manager
Item to be presented by
George Caravalho
Racism is simply defined by the American Heritage Dictionary as, "The notion that one's
own ethnic stock is superior," and "Discrimination or prejudice based on racism,"
Prejudice can be further described as, 'Attitudes or opinions about people that are
formed simply because they belong to a specific religion, race, nationality or other group;
a dislike, on the other hand, is based on information and experiences about a specific
individual. Prejudices involve strong feelings that are difficult to change. A person who
thinks, "I don't want (Blacks, Hispanics, Asians,) living in my neighborhood," is
expressing a prejudice. Hate crimes are criminal acts motivated by hatred based on
race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, or disability.
During 1993, four of the seven hundred and eighty three hate crimes that were reported
to the Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations; happened in the Santa
Clarita Valley. This does not necessarily represent a true number of incidents within
that year, since many hate crimes are reported.
At the May 24 Council meeting, members of the community addressed the City Council
asking for immediate action towards stopping a growing problem of racism and hate
related incidents within the Santa Clarita Valley. Council then directed staff to develop
a plan or task force that would confront these issues.
P�'WOV �� Age " Item: L
Education is the vaccination for this disease. Involvement and ownership by the
community is the cure. Therefore, any plan to address these issues must involve
participation and commitment from members of the community. Several residents have.
called, voicing their concerns and commitment to assisting with this project.
A task force could be formed with representatives from the community, city; law
enforcement, probation, churches, school districts, non -profits, parents, youth, and the
media. Each member of the task force would serve as equals in developing and
implementing a community based plan. The task force would be chaired by a member
of the community.. The task force would be responsible for the development of a
strategy; consultation with the community at large; development of short term goals,
longterm goals, the process to be used, implementation of the process and evaluation
of the results. Each representative would then take back to their organizations
suggestions and direction decided upon by the community task force. Policy makers,
such as school boards, and city council would then consider the recommendations of
the task force by form of resolution and policy implementation.
Possible products or results from the task force could include: training programs for
children, community discussions, training for employees, training for law enforcement,
community ownership for this issue, media sensitivity, youth group discussions, greater
understanding of our differences, and reduction of hate crimes.
There are numerous programs available to assist with educating and training the
workforce; community and school environment. Organizations such as the Anti -
Defamation League offer a variety of training programs and educational programs from
pre-school through high school age, as well as programs for the workplace and
community. Funding for these programs could be provided through a matching grant
program that the, task force would oversee and administer. The initial funding would
come from the City. The task force would regularly report back to the City Council on
their progress.
RECOMMENDATION
Direct the City Manager to assemble a task force to develop a plan of action to address
the issues of racism, appreciation of differences and the benefits of diversity in society.
racismsab