Letter: Education leaders must do their part

“My View,” bill berry, jr., Letter to the Editor, The Citizen Newspaper, published August 16, 2020

bill berry, jr. speaks at the Harriet Tubman Center for Justice & Peace, Inc. sponsored Town Hall Community Meeting held on June 27, 2020 at the NYS Equal Rights Heritage Center in Auburn, NY (Photo credit: Lisa Brennan, HTCJP Board Secretary)

The community continues to move forward with pertinent conversations and actions with local law enforcement to enhance equity and better understanding between the two cohorts. Based on the recent presentation and transparency driven by statistical information to social justice organizations by the Auburn Police Department and a pending mid-September presentation from the Cayuga County Sheriff’s Office, it is time for social justice organizations to challenge the diversity intentions of those institutions that educate our young people.

The Auburn Enlarged City School District and Cayuga Community College’s executive leadership have been absent in articulating or discussing how their institutions are manifesting administrative/executive leadership that recruits, appoints, recognizes and values leaders of color. Now this observation may be misplaced. However, the community has not been advised of such written and measurable institutional plans. Those leaders and their boards are now on notice and challenged to provide to the community their written plans to diversify their administrative and teaching ranks to better prepare students for a diverse and multicultural world of employment and societal participation.

Law enforcement has the appropriate hurdle of a civil service exam, and multiple subsequent tests that extend over a year to finally identify candidates who are qualified to be hired. As social justice organizations work with Auburn police and the county sheriff’s office, our proactive vision must not overlook those institutions that play a major and significant involvement in the life of our children. And if the institutional leaders of our children’s education are not capable of making diversity a real initiative, I suspect the elected and appointed boards need to take on that task. At that point, board members’ responsibility is to guide and task educational leaders with their vision to conscientiously move forward the overall best interests of the community, as well as hold those leaders accountable for inactivity, lack of vision, or failure to comprehend the tenors of the times and the mood of this community.

William Berry Jr.

Auburn

William Berry Jr. is chair of the Harriet Tubman Center for Justice and Peace and publisher of aaduna.

Letter: Free speech means sometimes disagreeing

“My View,” Dr. Lucien Lombardo, Letter to the Editor, The Citizen Newspaper, published August 14, 2020

Dr. Lucien Lombardo speaks at the Harriet Tubman Center for Justice & Peace, Inc. sponsored Town Hall Community Meeting held on June 27, 2020 at the NYS Equal Rights Heritage Center in Auburn, NY (Photo credit: Lisa Brennan, HTCJP Board Secretary)

In a letter published July 30, 2020, Andrew Dennison asks: “Where was my free-speech last month?” Legislator Dennison should look in the June 26 edition of the newspaper. His free speech rights were recognized and his views about racism were published for all to read.

Once his First Amendment rights were respected, Mr. Dennison must have understood that people would react to his words. Given his position as a county legislator (or as a private citizen) this must be why he wrote. We believe what rankled Mr. Dennison was that those who responded to his words (many whose voices were not heard in the past because they did not look like Mr. Dennison, i.e., people who experience lives as Black people) were able to make their voices heard in the legislative meeting and in the newspaper.

Many who responded to Mr. Dennison’s words in a critical way did look like Mr. Dennison (were white) but these Mr. Dennison dismisses as "left-leaning,"  "Democrats" (not people like him).

In essence, people (whether Black or white) speaking up against what they perceive as "racist" statements (rather than tacitly accepting them) is the problem Mr. Dennison is really addressing — not First Amendment rights.

Mr. Dennison should recognize by now that voices of people who do not look like him will be speaking their truths whether he likes it or not! Their voices will matter! He can listen and learn, just as those who disagree with him should listen to and learn from him. They did this when the Cayuga County Legislature (or "Democrats" as Mr. Dennison says) “pushed a diversity resolution” in July of 2019.

The First Amendment says, “Congress shall Congress shall make no law… abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

Mr. Dennison’s right to free speech was not restricted in any way. In fact, Mr. Dennison seeks to restrict free speech by his veiled threats to sue The Citizen and two prominent people of color in the community, whom he singles out by name (even though a wide range of people, Black and white, spoke out against his previous letter).

Listening to and learning from diverse voices and experiences can make us uncomfortable and make life more complicated, but it is what makes our community fairer and more just for all.

Lucien Lombardo

Auburn

Lucien Lombardo is a board member and past chair of Harriet Tubman Center for Justice and Peace.

Together We Move Forward

On Monday, August 10th in Auburn Memorial City Hall Council’s chambers, the Auburn Police Department executive team provided a formal presentation to the leadership of Auburn’s social justice organizations. Led by Chief Shawn Butler, this gathering sought to enhance understanding as to APD’s policies, protocols, operational procedures, and other issues that the leadership of social justice organizations need to know especially as these organizations move forward initiatives to create a more inclusive, respectful community in partnership with law enforcement.

In collaboration with the Auburn/Cayuga branch of the NAACP and the City of Auburn’s Human Rights Commission, the Harriet Tubman Center for Justice and Peace worked with and helped to facilitate the Auburn Police Department’s presentation.  

These photographs follow the agenda and order of presentations by APD officers.

(Photo credit for all images: bill berry, jr.) 

Please click the play button below to view the LIVE STREAM

https://www.auburnny.gov/home/news/auburn-police-department-community-forum-policing-our-community-august-10-2020

POSITIVE PARENTING NEWSFEED - A Research Based News Source Supporting Families

https://positiveparentingnews.org/

Check out Positive Parenting News Feed ~ A project of the Child Trends News Service, supported by the National Science Foundation. The website provides helpful information and resources for parents to support their children during these unprecedented times.

Past research finds that students in under-resourced communities often lose more skills during summer break than their well-off peers. Due to the pandemic, the interruption to traditional learning may result in significant losses in math and reading skills that experts are calling the “COVID slump.” While it is difficult to know exactly how much learning will be lost, new research suggests that some students will lose the equivalent of a full year’s worth of academic gains by the start of the next school year.

Researchers interviewed parents of children with learning disabilities to better understand their online learning experiences. Parents reported that online education requires a significant time commitment and that parent-teacher communication is critical for success. Experts say parents should be proactive about reaching out to their child’s teachers and service providers, ask for help to put a remote education and therapy plan place in place, and set realistic daily goals. 

Finding Common Ground Regarding Social Justice Issues...

Auburn Police Chief Shawn Butler chats with Auburn resident Bill Berry at the department's Coffee With a Cop event in 2017 at McDonald's. Natalie Brophy, The Citizen Newspaper

“In today’s divisive climate, finding common ground regarding social justice issues and equity in all phases of daily life may be similar to those family gatherings around national holidays. In those times, at the family dinner table or afterwards fueled by a round of libations, inherent differences of opinion all too often lead to heated discussions where feelings are hurt, and betrayals felt. As we move forward such discussions in Auburn and the county, we have been able to avoid such pitfalls. Will that continue?

The trust is that our ongoing dialogues will speak to each person’s truth and heard in a respectful manner. No one will attain all that s/he wants. Workable compromise has to be a guiding goal since the community and law enforcement, as well as governmental agencies, elected officials, corporate and non-profit entities, cannot prosper for the best interests of all people in the community under the cloak of an ongoing pandemic of indifference and mistrust. And we must always keep in mind, we are prepping society for the benefits of our children and grandchildren.

- William E. Berry, Jr., chair, HTCJP”

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MY VIEW: The Citizen Newspaper, August 2, 2020

Kerr: We must seek common ground in Cayuga County

Black Lives Matter. Blue Lives Matter. The Thin Blue Line. The Blue Wall of Silence. Peaceful Protestors. Violent Looters. These phrases represent varied and often oppositional points of view that have risen to a level of contention beyond the pale in our country. Americans have become so divided on issues of racism and discrimination, police brutality and protection that it has become nearly impossible to have a conversation around these issues, and even more difficult to find any common ground to advance progress toward meaningful social change.

As a newly elected official I am carefully watching and learning from the relationship that continues to evolve between the Cayuga County Sheriff’s Office, Auburn Police Department and social justice organizations in our community. These leaders recognize that racism exists, and that the goal to support law enforcement is not mutually exclusive of the goal to advance social and racial justice. We are fortunate to have strong civil rights and law enforcement leaders working on these issues locally. Over the years, trust and mutual respect has been established through words, actions, missteps and commitment to continued forward progress.

The NAACP’s recent criticism of Sheriff Brian Schenck for his endorsement of statewide sheriff’s association proposals was met by our sheriff with open ears and a strong desire to understand concerns and preserve relationships built over years. I spoke with Sheriff Schenck about his endorsement, which was rooted in a desire to protect law enforcement, which I share. I also spoke with Auburn Police Department Chief Shawn Butler, who echoed a need to support our officers who put their safety on the line every day to protect the public.

I had an opportunity to speak with Eli Hernandez from the Auburn-Cayuga Chapter of the NAACP and Bill Berry from Harriet Tubman Center for Justice and Peace about their concerns with the sheriff’s association proposals, including lack of transparency and inclusiveness in developing them, as well as specific provisions they felt could be abused or potentially detrimental to the safety of people of color. I appreciated hearing their perspectives on a personal level, which helped me better understand some of their concerns.

LOCAL NEWS

Cayuga County sheriff criticized for endorsing 'dangerous' proposals

• David Wilcox

These brief conversations were long enough to convince me that it is possible to find common ground in this sea of discontent. This incident quickly brought our law enforcement and civil rights leaders to the table to talk through concerns and identify solutions on how to be more inclusive moving forward. All parties recognized the importance of involving the community and residents in public policy decision-making. To that end, a series of public events are being planned by local government in partnership with social justice organizations.

At 11 a.m. Aug. 10, the Auburn Police Department will provide a formal presentation to the leadership of Auburn’s social justice organizations and public at large. Led by Chief Butler, this gathering will seek to enhance understanding of Auburn Police Department’s policies, protocols, operational procedures and other issues. Stay tuned for a similar presentation to be provided by the sheriff’s office in the near future, as well other community engagement events.

As a county legislator, I join our county sheriff, city police chief, civil rights leaders and others to move this important work forward and expect the public to hold me accountable in doing so. In the words of Sheriff Schenck: “Words and actions can destroy a bridge. Our community must work to build them. Mistakes will be made as we build but that is OK. Just keep working. I have crossed a few bridges that weren’t made of steel and concrete during my career and I recognize that I have a few more to cross. I hope you will join me. This work is important and well worth the effort.”

COLUMNS

Schenck: We must be willing to cross bridges to move community forward

• Brian Schenck

It is important to protect the progress made to build bridges between government and people of color in our community, to extend those bridges beyond law enforcement to all areas, and to ensure that government of the people, by the people, for the people remains fundamental in our approach to governance. I commit to this guiding principle, and to help find common ground on policies and actions that will lead to positive change for people of color in our community.

Tricia Kerr is a Cayuga County legislator representing District 12.

JOIN US! August 10th @ 11AM for LIVE STREAM with the Auburn Police Department

Become knowledgeable.

Tell your neighbors.

Tune into the August 10th LIVE STREAM to learn more about your Auburn Police Department 

http://www.auburnny.gov/livestream

Monday, August 10th at 11 AM.

"Knowledge is Power."

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT!

The Harriet Tubman Center for Justice and Peace is not soliciting donations nor has the Board authorized any individual to solicit financial resources on our behalf. While we welcome financial support, if anyone should elect to support us, we request that a check or money order be made payable to the Harriet Tubman Center for Justice and Peace and mailed to 144 Genesee Street, Ste 102-122 Auburn, New York 13021

The HTCJP always acknowledges donations in writing either through the USPS or via e-mail. Other processes to donate can be addressed by writing to htcjpauburn@gmail.org or via  https://htcjp.org/take-action

The HTCJP has not authorized nor sanctioned any individual to solicit money on our behalf through a GoFundMe effort or any other fundraising platform. And we have not received nor will we accept such funds from any individual fundraising effort that was not duly authorized and sanctioned by the Board. 

Sincerely,

HTCJP Board of Directors

Harriet Tubman Center for Justice & Peace board members speak at a Cayuga County Legislature special meeting held on Tuesday, June 30, 2020

Legislator Andrew Dennison's chair, center, sits empty as he did not attend the Cayuga County Legislature meeting in person but opted to hear complaints during the public session about his recent racially charged comments via videoconferencing.

Kevin Rivoli, The Citizen

HTCJP chair, William Berry, Jr., vice-chair, Gilda Brower, secretary, Kathleen Barnard, and board members, Dr. Lucien Lombardo, and Dr. Rhoda Overstreet-Wilson were present during the public to be heard segment of the Cayuga County Legislature meeting held last evening to condemn Legislator Andrew Dennison’s racist letter to the editor, published in The Citizen Newspaper on June 26, 2020. (Cayuga County legislator faces backlash over racist letter to The Citizen)

Public condemns Cayuga County legislator's Black Lives Matter comments

Mary Catalfamo, The Citizen Newspaper 07/01/2020

READ FULL ARTICLE

Dr. Lucien Lombardo’s presentation to the Cayuga County Legislature, June 30, 2020:

I am here speaking to you today because the words of one member of this legislature are trying to undo or at least make more difficult the work of making Cayuga County and Auburn a fairer and more peaceful place for all of its citizens to grow, live and work!”

How can mere words to that? They do it by reinforcing prejudices; pandering to historical stereotypes and images, humiliating groups of people, attempting to prevent the empowerment of marginalized people, appealing to a past that never was and ignoring the reality of that past and its manifestations in the present.  Pitting groups of people against one another; not supporting but violating black and brown people’s inherent human dignity! Such words add to the social toxicity of the world adults in our community create for our children.

I returned to Auburn and Cayuga County 7 years ago when I retired after nearly 40 years in Virginia. Before I went to Virginia I worked as a teacher in Auburn Correctional Facility in the late 1960’s an early 1970’s.

In the prison I learned the importance of working hard to understand people and circumstances that were different from mine. I was a young white person from small town central NY and my students were primarily Black and Hispanic, young and middle aged from New York’s inner cities (or Ghettos as they were called then).

If I were going to be an effective teacher, I felt I needed to understand the world from which my students came. Central to my learning was the importance of respecting the experiences of the men I taught, not calling them names, not resorting to stereotypes as a means of understanding;  understanding their complaints, trying to find ways of empowering them in an institution and world so often structured to disempower and humiliate them because of their race and ethnicity.

From my perspective this meant supporting and not violating their human dignity! This meant using my privilege and power to help empower them with what I could teach and how I related to them as people.

When I returned to Auburn, I was amazed at the Symposium on Harriet Tubman that the Harriet Tubman Boosters organized at the community college. I saw the diverse programming at the Auburn Public Theater. I got involved with Celebrate Diverse Auburn, the Harriet Tubman Center for Justice and Peace, the Southern Cayuga Anne Frank Tree Project and provided programs for the Cayuga County Museum.  I saw that Auburn and Cayuga County were pro-actively working to recognize and build support for the human dignity of all citizens regardless of color and ethnicity, sexual orientation and economic position: making Cayuga County and Auburn a fairer and more peaceful place for all of its citizens to grow, live and work!”

It is incumbent upon all county leaders to take advantage of these programs to educate themselves and their constituents and not appeal to the lowest common denominator.

When a member of the county leadership undermines these efforts, it is also incumbent on the other members of the leadership to hold that member accountable!

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HTCJP chair, bill berry’s presentation to the Cayuga County Legislature, June 30, 2020:

At critical times, usually not expected, every community faces its watershed moment. This dilemma is not predicted, nor planned but its occurrence always defines and crystalizes what a community stands for, what a community believes in, what a community values and how it articulates its respect for human dignity for all members of that community.

Cayuga County and this elected body now have a watershed moment thrust upon it through the actions of one of its members. As we approach the conflicting thinking in what July 4th means particularly in a time of health and racial pandemics, as elected officials you  need to understand, internalize and fully embrace the contributions made by a race of people who look like me. You need to understand and be knowledgeable about the historical legacy of people who look like me; people who were systematically denied basic American rights. We are a people who were forced to contribute to the welfare, privilege, and protection of your ancestors, you, and your family’s pursuit of life, liberty, freedom and happiness.

Now there is a member of this legislative body who has squandered and debased the liberating spirit of Juneteenth as well as this Saturday’s Independence Day. Legislators, you can change that profound negativity and send a strong signal to all residents what this body will not tolerate, condone, or embrace.

Your silence, inaction or less then forceful condemnation of your colleague will also send a strong signal to this community especially people who look like me.  

Through the actions of one of your members, you are now mired in having to decide between ugly and derisive words by a colleague who publicly stated his archaic racist ideas or your duty to represent the best interests, hopes, aspirations of everyone who calls Cayuga County home.

Do not get caught up in misrepresentations of free speech.  Hateful words whether spoken or put in writing by any Cayuga County legislator has the explicit  purpose to denigrate, demoralize and demonize an entire segment of Cayuga County residents based on their race. That behavior cannot stand. Your colleague has now positioned  this legislative body to take significant action and impose long-standing consequences.

As an elected official, each of you are held to a higher standard. Your constituents accord you respect based on your position. Just remember, respect is not a one-way street.

Conduct by your colleague that is undeniably hateful can never be legitimized or accepted by any other elected official who is privileged to sit in a seat in this chamber. Your colleague has embarrassed this body and now compels each of you to come to grips with how you want to see this county progress.  Just know, a public or private apology is no longer enough. That pacifier has been rejected.

Now, you must determine how you want to resolve your watershed moment. I trust you will not abandon what is best for your family, your neighbors, and embrace the expanding spirit of equity for all residents and the tenets of anti-racist behavior that is beginning to permeate every area of Cayuga County. This watershed is the moment for your profile in courage and commitment to the best interests of the entire community.

Thank you.

William Berry, Jr. – Auburn resident, South Street Historic District

Chair, Harriet Tubman Center for Justice and Peace

View the June 30th Cayuga County Special Legislative Meeting

https://youtu.be/wqQT_CeEZyE

‘We all can do better’ ~ Social Justice suggestions brought to town hall event

The Citizen Newspaper, June 28, 2020, by Kelly Rocheleau, Reporter

HTCJP Vice-Chair, Gilda Brower speaks at the social justice town hall at the NYS Equal Rights Heritage Ceter in Auburn, NY on Saturday, June 27, 2020. (Kelly Rocheleau Photos, The Citizen)

People listen at the social justice town hall at the New York State Equal Rights Heritage Center in Auburn, NY on Saturday, June 27, 2020. This event was organized by the Harriet Tubman Center for Justice & Peace in partnership with the Auburn/Cayuga NAACP. (photo by Kelly Rocheleau, The Citizen)

AUBURN — After other recent events in Auburn addressed institutional racism, the social justice town hall held in the city Saturday was meant to allow people to suggest ways to address these issues.Various speakers during the event, at the New York State Equal Rights Heritage Center, were given two minutes to explain their ideas on social justice change and talk about systemic issues. The forum was organized the Harriet Tubman Center for Justice and Peace in partnership with the Auburn/Cayuga branch of the NAACP. Other events, such as a protest in late May through the downtown area and a demonstration earlier this month, have occurred in the wake of the death of George Floyd, a Black man killed by police in Minneapolis."The town hall's purpose is to hear, listen and enable the community to articulate suggestions for social justice," a flier on the center's website said. "Social justice organizations and governmental bodies need to hear your voice as collaborations are developed to implement planned change that will seek to eradicate institutional-driven racism especially when unconsciously embedded in organizational culture or individual implicit bias or microaggressions."

‘We all can do better’

Kelly Rocheleau, The Citizen 06/28/2020

Read Full Article

Message to the Auburn/Cayuga County community from bill berry, jr., Chair, Harriet Tubman Center for Peace and Justice

My fellow Board members of The Harriet Tubman Center for Justice and Peace and I thank you for your words, for your presence, for your listening, for your willingness to engage in the challenging task of planned change witnessed at the Town Hall/Listening event convened at the NYS Equal Rights Heritage Center, Auburn, NY this afternoon, Saturday, June 27th.

Our colleagues at the Auburn/Cayuga branch of the NAACP, along with other social justice organizations, private businesses and activists, join with the HTCJP. We {and the newly formed embryonic "social justice task force"}  understand the task ahead will require difficult conversations as we seek measurable change with a timetable for action that can be evaluated.

We must dissect and analyze organizational/institutional/non-profit agency/corporate words, mission statements or proposed actions that may be deficit in its intent to achieve real institutional change.

Inspiration and aspiration is no longer enough.

Meaningful action is required.

Difficult conversations will happen.

People may have to confront long held assumptions that have relegated some folks to the side of the road to look at opportunities and not have a place at the table of equity in economic, educational and the full range of social interactions. However, as a community, we have the ability to make planned change a reality. Action not words. You helped fuel that action this afternoon. Thank you.  Your words and your presence was and will continue to be empowering.

In appreciation,

bill berry, jr., chair, Harriet Tubman Center for Justice and Peace Board of Directors