Susan Buchanan, an Oak Park village trustee, says she has received threats to her and her family's safety following comments she made at an Oct. 7 board meeting attempting to silence white male trustees during a discussion regarding updates to the village's diversity statement.
The people of Oak Park choose this community, not just as a place to live, but as a way of life and as a place to seek shelter, refuge and acceptance. Oak Park commits itself to equity, diversity, and inclusion because these values make us a desirable and strong community for all people. Creating a mutually respectful, multicultural and equitable environment does not happen on its own; it must be intentional.
We believe in equity. By embracing equity, with an explicit but not exclusive focus on racial equity, we work to break down systems of oppression, including racism, sexism, homophobia, xenophobia and other forms of bias and hate to achieve a society where race no longer determines one’s outcomes, where everyone has what they need to thrive. This is both a process and a goal. We reject racial barriers that limit and divide us, and we reject bias towards any group of people...…...etc
https://www.oak-park.us/village-services/tenantlandlord-relations/oak-park-diversity-statement
Thanks for your very helpful response to my post, FRiend Toddster.
Since posting that link to the Chicago’s Morning Answer radio show in 9, above, I listened to the whole 15-odd minutes. It gave me plenty of background.
Having seen/heard all this, here’s my two conclusions.
1.) Why does a municipal government need a diversity statement? Is this more important than pot hole filling and trash pickup?
2.) I reiterate an earlier point: I covered many public meetings in 25 years as a newspaper reporter. I never witnessed such over-the-top unhinged behavior by an elected official.
Seems they have a ways to go.