This is Part 1 in a series of reports
Sequim, WA – March 24, 2021 – Approximately 88 individuals including city staff and facilitators, an average of 44 per meeting, attended two Zoom community “conversations” about “Race, Equity and Inclusion” presented by City of Sequim’s employees Cherisse Duschesne (currently serving as interim city manager) and Barbara Hanna (director of communications and marketing). The online facilitated meetings were held on March 20th at 10 a.m. and March 23rd at 6 p.m..
The two zoom meetings came as a result of staff committee meetings held over the past several months. In the announcement for the meetings, the following statement was made: “In the summer of 2020, the Sequim City Council passed a resolution condemning discrimination and racism and directed City staff to work with the community on conversations on this topic.”
Three “trained” facilitators volunteered and were engaged to run the meeting: “community members Miriame Cherbib, Vicki Lowe, and Carlos Osorio.” We’ll report more about them in Part 2 of this series.
Vicki Lowe, who works as Executive Director at American Indian Health Commission of Washington State, stated: “I have a statement here from the Steering Committee – Shenna Younger is a part of this group – over the past year, local and national events have brought about a heightened need for the Sequim community to address the issues of race, equity and inclusion. In the summer of 2020, the city of Sequim passed a Resolution condemning discrimination and racism, and diverted city staff to work with the community and have conversations on that topic.”
The original Resolution by the city council differs from what was being discussed at the community “conversation” meeting. It addresses (1) removing barriers that keep all citizens from experiencing this exceptional community… (2) a condemnation of racism and discrimination; and (3) implementation of anti-harassment and anti-discrimination traing for city employees. You can read it here: RESOLUTION.
Nowhere does the Resolution talk about “equity” – a term used repeatedly throughout the initial introductions and the entire meeting. (More about this term below).
So how did the city manager and staff go from “anti-racism and discrimination” to “race, equity and inclusion”?
Several of the slides shown were from an organization called “GARE” (Government Alliance on Racism and Equity). In reviewing documents attached to previous city council agendas, we learned that GARE is actually spearheading and guiding the “conversations” promoted as being done by “community members and city ‘volunteer’ staff”.
Shenna Younger, a member of Sequim Good Governance League, presented a proposed Resolution to the City Council on June 22, 2020, to condemn hate speech, racism and discrimination. It was received for review, and with changes made, was passed on Juy 27, 2020, then-city manager Charlie Bush attached a document to the Agenda titled “Sequim Anti-Racism and Discrimination Public Engagement System – Mission Possible.” It included among the 20 points mentioned, that the City of Sequim would have “additional trainings for employees and volunteers, including City Council and Board and Commission members, using Washington Cities Insurance Authority (WCIA), Government Alliance on Racism and Equity (GARE) and other resources. Staff member Charisse Deschenes was appointed as lead by city manager Charlie Bush.
Roberto Montoya Western Regional Manager of GARE has been taking the lead with the city manager and staff. In an email attached to a city Agenda, Barbara Hanna stated: “.. the Design Team “really liked” the idea of working with Montoya on “this type of program in Sequim”.
Montoya is currently holding “community conversations” in Arvada, CO, and amazingly, the same four questions being asked of Sequim are the questions he has posed there.
As a result of staff committee meetings and that they “really liked” his type of program, it appears that the City of Sequim is now a member of GARE, at an initial membership fee of $1,000.00. This has not been discussed by the city council at any of the public meetings, so one wonders how joining this organization was authorized.
For a glimpse of what GARE is about, this is from the Membership page of their website:
GARE Strategies & Approach to Racial Equity
GARE recognizes that racial inequities currently exist across all indicators for success, including in education, criminal justice, jobs, housing, public infrastructure and health, regardless of intent, region of the country or size of jurisdiction. GARE also recognizes the reality that government played a central role in the creation and maintenance of racial inequity, and did so explicitly for centuries and has done so for 50+ years implicitly via policies and practices that perpetuate inequities, even when they are color-blind or race-neutral. Government will continue to perpetuate racial inequities unless there are intentional and strategic interventions that lead to transformation. (underlines for emphasis)
So Just What is GARE?
Since GARE is leading the city for “race, equity and inclusion”, it’s a good idea to learn more about that organization. Here’s what we found on their website:
In doing an internet search for the Government Alliance on Racism and Equity (GARE), their website, entitled “Racial Equity Alliance.org” came up first. Under the “Who We Are” section, this is what we learn about the organization:
The Alliance is a joint project of the new Race Forward (from their site: https://www.raceforward.org/practice/tools/principles-racially-equitable-policy-platforms
“Without an intentional dismantling of structural racism we continue to live in a culture and system of white supremacy that threatens our democracy and is ultimately divisive and detrimental for all. To that end, we offer the following principles to guide the policy development of this platform) and the Othering and Belonging Institute. (from their site: The Othering & Belonging Institute at UC Berkeley brings together researchers, organizers, stakeholders, communicators, and policymakers to identify and eliminate the barriers to an inclusive, just, and sustainable society in order to create transformative change.) “Race Forward” has united with the Center for Social Inclusion. founded in Berkeley)
On the home page, it states: “Right now our country needs deep transformation across many institutions to achieve racial equity—ranging from civil society, cultural institutions, and local government. With avowed White Supremacists and segregationists at the highest levels of government, as well as coordinated attacks on the very institutions on which we all have relied, the need to build a multiracial movement for racial justice is urgent. We are acting on this urgency by coming together as one organization, with the combined experience, expertise, wisdom, and talent to support this movement.” Reading through the website, one quickly sees that it’s not about equality for all, but “equity” for some.
Equity or Equality?
It might help to give some definitions here, because there are two “understandings” of the term “equity” – and when it’s used in the phrase “diversity, equity and inclusion”.
Most of us think in terms of the straightforward definition as provided by Mirriam-Webster Dictionary meaning:
justice according to natural law or right specifically : freedom from bias or favoritism.
However, GARE uses a totally different meaning for the word.
Words mean things, and these are buzzwords for far more than being nice to each other and treating each other equally.
Because Mr. Montoya lectured there, we’ll use the definitions from UC Denver, from the Office of Equity, under “Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion 101”, a good explanation is given, with the idea that people are “groups”, rather than “individuals”:
“What is the difference between equality and equity?
Often times people use the terms “equality” and “equity” interchangeably because there is the misconception that the terms have the same meaning. However, they do not have the same meaning and they cannot be used interchangeably even though they sound similar.
A metaphor we often use is equality ensures that everyone has a pair of shoes; equity ensures that everyone has a pair of shoes that fit. The graphic* to the right is also a visual metaphor depicting the differences between equality and equity, but it also expands to include reality (how inequitable our system is), and the need for liberation (removing the “fence” or oppressive system all together). With both metaphors, cultural context and systematic barriers that marginalized persons are subjected to are not considered; understand that these concepts are bigger than having shoes that fit or breaking down a fence.”
Racial equity, as defined by Aspen Institute, UC Berkeley, is telling. It says, in part, that equity is defined as: 5.Connecting with the World: Create new ways to redistribute power, resources, and opportunity to help model and lead social change and racial justice in the world.
For a look at the definitions by those promoting this program, read “the Equity vs. Equality and Other Racial Justice Definitions” here: https://www.aecf.org/blog/racial-justice-definitions/
Questions about the Process in Sequim
One also questions whether the staff was paid for the work they have been doing; and if the facilitators were paid. How much is all of this costing the taxpayers of Sequim? And how much will it cost in the future, if they are allowed to continue with the proposed plans, yet to be determined. Who are the members of the committee making these decisions on behalf of the city? The city manager has full authority over these areas, and is responsible for keeping the city council advised at city council meetings, so the public (taxpayers) know how their money is being spent. If staff is being paid, that means they are not in fact “volunteers”, so it would be another misstatement at the “community conversations”. The lack of disclosure about the involvement and leadership of this process by GARE is concerning to several we’ve interviewed, especially in light of what that organization promotes. If you want to see the predetermined “outcome” planned for Sequim, get familiar with the GARE website.
Is this what we need or want for the City of Sequim?
This is part one of a series. Stay tuned for more.
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Actions citizens can take:
- Write to your elected city council members and let them know your thoughts. They represent you.
- Write letters to the editor and let your thoughts be known.
- Join with other concerned citizens to pay attention to what’s happening in Sequim and the direction the interim city manager and staff are moving for your city.
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