Praise to local groups fighting discrimination

Avon Lake City Council deserves credit for unanimously passing two resolutions Oct. 26 addressing racism and discrimination despite some opposition from residents.

In a debate stretching back to August, Council voted to denounce all forms of discrimination in recognition of recent incidences of police brutality across the country.

Mayor Greg Zilka said people live in a complex world and discrimination in numerous forms exist in this country, even if unintentional or based on naiveté.

When issues of social importance arise, such as discrimination, Zilka felt it is essential that Avon Lake show leadership in standing up and making a statement against it.

This was a bold move for Avon Lake to acknowledge that discrimination exists and that it’s systemic, even though some say there’s no such thing.

Zilka said when people are treated unfairly, Avon Lake really has an obligation to stand up and make a statement against these injustices.

Alluding to protests in reaction to the death of George Floyd in May in Minneapolis, and other instances of police brutality, Zilka said speaking out was a necessary good. And he’s right.

More of us need to publicly condemn and reject these atrocities.

Avon Lake’s anti-discrimination resolution denounces racism, homophobia, sexism, xenophobia, religious discrimination and discrimination against the disabled.

It reaffirms the city’s commitment to being a welcoming place to all people regardless of race, sexual orientation, gender, nation of origin, religion, disability status or any other immutable characteristic.

Avon Lake Ward 4 Councilman David Kos acknowledges the resolution doesn’t grant any additional powers, but simply reaffirms the city’s commitment to denouncing all forms of discrimination.

Kos suggested that Avon Lake is not a discriminating, racist, xenophobic or homophobic community.

But, he also realizes there is not a wall around the city, and that doesn’t mean there cannot be an incident.

A second resolution creates a Community Relations Board and repeals Avon Lake’s Affirmative Action Commission created in 1986.

The Community Relations Board will examine hiring practices for the city; analyze civil service testing and recruitment procedures; review and evaluate departmental policies of inclusion and diversity training; support the community’s efforts to recruit, orientate and retain roles for any protected classes; and encourage and support safe and sound performance and management practices.

The board, which would meet at least once a year, would consist of the law director, finance director, human resources director, chair of Avon Lake City Council’s Human Resources Committee and two community members.

During the Council meeting, some Avon Lake residents opposed both measures.

One resident believes the proposal was vague and divisive and did not define racism, believing it could lead to lawsuits.

Another saw no need for the city to go in this direction, saying it’s unnecessary

However, we disagree. Discrimination is a problem, one of the biggest in this country.

The Community Foundation of Lorain County sees this issue as an obstacle to improving relations and decided to fund efforts to end discrimination and racism.

The agency created a Racial Equity Fund to strengthen relationships between marginalized communities with law enforcement to improve policing policies and procedures, and to build community organizations’ capacity to bring about impactful, measurable improvements in racial equity.

With the first round of grants, El Centro De Servicios Soc received $13,058 to provide a series of training to Lorain County law enforcement officers designed to create awareness and provide education on the Hispanic and Latino community.

Leaders of Today received $12,542 to assist Elyria and Lorain high school students with the design, construction and installation of signs that will promote public art and community-centric designs within Lorain County.

Lorain County Urban League received $12,500 to engage the community in dialogue and seek to bring residents together by promoting acceptance and understanding about differing views while reading the same book.

And the YWCA Elyria received $12,000 to assist with the transition of the YWCA Community Anti-Hate Taskforce to the YWCA Race Equity Center.

Discrimination and racism in our community is prevalent.

Unfortunately, it’s not going away anytime soon; it won’t just magically disappear.

Hard work and commitment from all of us can end discrimination and racism.

We’re just elated there are people out there addressing these wrongs.