Council hears little input on racial equity commission
As conversations on race, budget priorities and policing dominate conversations in city councils across the U.S., attendance was light at a Pittsburgh City Council public hearing Wednesday regarding the creation of a Commission on Racial Equity and on a set of proposed commitments to racial equity.
One registered speaker testified at the hearing held via Zoom and livestreamed on YouTube.
The speaker, whose name was not displayed, said a commission on racial equity is “a step in the right direction” and council should “look to some of the younger activists in Pittsburgh” in its establishment of racial equity principles.
Councilman Ricky Burgess chaired the 12-minute meeting. Councilman Daniel Lavelle, along with members Theresa KailSmith, Deb Gross, Erika Strassburger and Bobby Wilson, attended.
Speakers who do not register ahead of time cannot participate in the remote public hearings.
Mr. Burgess and Mr. Lavelle introduced the two pieces of legislation in March.
The proposed commission would be composed of seven members, who would oversee five subcommittees that would focus on economic stability, education, health, neighborhoods and built environment and “social community context,” so as to include a “cross-section” of people, Mr. Burgess said.
The 10 commitments outlined in Mr. Burgess’ and Mr. Lavelle’s bill include the city committing to the following, among other commitments: eliminating race-based disparities across city departments; engaging community members, especially African Americans and those who live in African American neighborhoods; and applying “deliberately and systematically” a
racial equity lens in decision-making.
The proposals are two of numerous bills on race and police reform winding through council.
During Wednesday morning’s standing committee meeting, the body took one step closer to approving a resolution declaring “Black Pittsburgh Matters.”
Mr. Burgess and Mr. Lavelle introduced the measure on June 23, and it outlines five “strategic investment principles” for directing resources into the city’s Black communities, including the city’s “historic business districts,” Mr. Burgess said.
“I respect the pain of all groups that have been disaffected . ... But I will suggest to you that if you look at the numbers, and you add Black to any disaffected group, the outcome is worse,” Mr. Burgess said.
“If you are gay and lesbian or trans in Pittsburgh, you do face discrimination, and it’s unfair. But if you’re Black and gay, lesbian and trans, your outcome will be worse,” he said. “If you’re poor in Pittsburgh, that’s awful, and you have my sympathy, and no one should be poor. But if you’re Black and poor in Pittsburgh, your outcomes will be worse. If you’re a woman in Pittsburgh, you will not receive the same pay rate . ... But if you’re Black and a female, your outcomes will be significantly worse.”
In December, the two councilmen championed a resolution declaring racism a public health crisis in Pittsburgh after a city -commissioned report revealed Pittsburgh’s Black residents would find better health and economic outcomes in nearly any other comparable U.S. city.
A public hearing will be held Wednesday on Mr. Burgess’ bill to put a referendum to the voters in November on whether they want to expand the powers of the Citizen Police Review Board. To register to speak, call 412-255-2138.