The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
RESIDENTS SHARE PERSONAL STORIES
Mayor instructs participants to listen to each other, rather than defend
Elyrians opened their hearts and minds on June 2 in listening to the stories of racism experienced in the city.
Mayor Frank Whitfield welcomed participants to “Time of Listening: Experiences of Racism in the City of Elyria” bringing out residents, Elyria City Council members, Elyria Police Department and other civic leaders in taking these stories to build a city that works for everyone and where everyone can feel safe.
“Our role as leaders here is not to defend, not to speak, but to listen. Just listen,” Whitfield said in opening the floor. “I know there will be temptation to defend. I know there will be a temptation to feel angst and angry, but for so many of our citizens they walk around with that anger every day.”
In a video posted to social media Elyria Mayor Frank Whitfield said in announcing the event, it was important to talk about the effects and give Elyrians the opportunity to take control of their own narratives in sharing.
“For far too long African-Americans have shared their experiences of dealing with racism in these various areas in our schools and our workplaces and many of us were faced with denial, defense or disbelief. And thanks to the advent of technology and social media, we’re finally being believed,” Whitfield added.
“However, not every story is caught on camera and that shouldn’t be the only time we’re willing to believe someone and do something about it.”
Gathering in the Elyria City Hall parking lot at 231 Court St., around 100 people gathered, taking turns at the microphone and offering to those who shared.
After each speaker completed their testimony, the audience responded with “I hear you” in acknowledging their experiences.
Elyria resident Carla Valles shared her story, coming to the stage in solidarity with young people. She said growing up she felt like the culture of silence around racism was like trying to breathe with the knee of America on her neck, in reference to the death of George Floyd.
“Silence is a deadly weapon. It destroys some and allows other to stay blissfully ignorant,” Valles said. “It makes some of us uncomfortable and gives others peace. It allows some of us to be accepted and some of us to be accepting. Knowing this I may offend some of you today.”
She said in reflecting on her experiences with racism she was shocked at how many were able to share.
Valles recalled being called the ‘N’ word and being discriminated against in the workplace
“Stories I’ve been silent about because that is what you do when you’re black in America. You are born with a target on your back and you teach yourself not to talk. You teach yourself that it’s dangerous if you’re not silent,” Valles added.
She told the crowd she has had to stay silent in order to keep jobs, get promotions and maintain friendships.
“I realize that my silence has often led to me being uncomfortable and it’s caused others to be ignorant. I will not be silent anymore.”
Whitfield stressed simply listening is about honoring the countless lives that have lived through racist experiences while African-Americans have pleaded for justice and equality.
“For many of us we have had experiences in our schools, our workplaces and in stores and in our city streets. By listening today you are making the first step,” the mayor said. “The next step is to believe those stories that are shared. The third is to do something about it.”