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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-C&NS-2006-03-08 City Of Ithaca Community and Neighborhood Services Committee Meeting Wednesday March 8, 2006 Convened at City Hall, Common Council Chambers 7.00 pm Attendance- Committee and Staff. Robin Korherr(Chair),Maria Coles, J.R. Clairborne, Mary Tomlin, Gayraud Townsend, Michelle Berry, Shane Seger, Daniel Cogan, Joel Zurnoff, David Gelinas, Mayor Carolyn Peterson, Karen Friedeborn, Marcia Forte, Lana Milton, Lance Milton, Cassandra Nelson, Dale Parker,Darlise Barrett Teens: Chavonte Perkins, Kailana Milton, Danilito Marte, Sebastian Friedeborn, Ambria Diaz, Michael Anderson, Rafael Vintura, Mary Narcisse, Luah Morlu, Jillian Weiss, Larissa Anderson, Chibo Shinigawa,Laikuan Ward I. Call to Order: The Community and Neighborhood Service Committee Meeting began at approximately 7:08pm with Robin Korherr welcoming all committee and community members. She also made note of emergency exits before proceeding. II. Minutes: The Previous minutes were called for but not read due to late distribution for review. It was stated that the minutes would be read for approval at the April meeting., III. Agenda Review: Korherr reviewed the night's agenda and introduced Darlise Barrett who was recording the meetings minutes. V. Privilege of the floor: Korherr reminded all of the upcoming Open House at the Ithaca Youth Bureau scheduled for March 13 from 6:45-8:30 pm. She added that during 2005 the committee spoke in regards to strengthening the Megan's Law act, which was created to provide information to the public of sex offenders in our area. The procedure includes the offender to file with local police agencies where they reside. The Governor mandated that this information be provided to all youth serving agencies. The Tompkins County Sheriffs Office had compiled and distributed in letter form the website location where agencies could find additional information. She clarified that the City of Ithaca Police Department is the reporting agency for sex offenders residing in the City. She thanked Captain Mark Dresser for including the City youth agencies in the update. VI. Effects of Racism—Panel Discussion with local Teens and Community Members: Korherr stated that during a 2004 CNSC meeting a panel discussion on the effects of racism was held. Since then, several racially motivated events have occurred with the most recent being the Cornell stabbing incident. Racism breeds racism and the City must work to determine its origin and minimize its effects. Several community members from the Ithaca Youth Bureau and GIAC joined the committee and have gathered with a purpose to gain a comprehensive understanding of what it's like to be a person of color in Ithaca from the youth perspective. Two phases of discussion took place; the first being a teen-facilitated informal question and answer session and the second phase consisting of a formal discussion with additional panelists, some returning from the 2004 forum. The - 1 - Y goals were to: 1) strategize the outcomes and develop a work plan that will provide results, 2) Gain information on what is being worked on in agencies and neighborhoods 3)Provide the opportunity to reflect on what was discussed. Phase One: The meeting was turned over to Marcia Forte, Director of GIAC and Karen Friedeborn, Youth Development Coordinator for the IYB. The questions that follow were created and facilitated by the teens. Question 1: You may have heard discussion about the achievement gap between students of color, particularly African Americans and Latino/Latina students, and white students. What are your thoughts about the achievement gap? Answer: At IHS, in the AP classes there are no students of color. Many don't even know how to register for the class. At LACS not many know that they can take the AP classes that are given at the high school. Question 2: Two weeks ago at Cornell there was an incident where a white student stabbed a black male. It was reported that prior to the stabbing, the white student used racial slurs towards the black student. How does this situation make you feel? Answer: There should be zero tolerance towards those kinds of acts. As a youth it is uncomfortable to know that the administration is not doing anything. The white student had a weapon. [Cornell] should be focusing on educating and combating biases. Question 3: What do you think about how the media reports on serious situations that happened to or involved people of color? For example the alleged hate crime at Cornell or hurricane Katrina? Answer: Concerning the hurricane,there was no action right away as far as you could tell on TV.Also,there were no preventative measures taken. Question 4: How do you think the media (newspapers, TV, and radio) portray youth of color? Answer: Black people are portrayed as though everyone is a gang-banger or a thug but really the majority isn't like that. The media portrays racist/sexist stereotypes even for Asians too. The media is brainwashing our youth of color. Black males are seen only in sports and not academics. Question 5: Do you think there are issues related to race and class at IHS or LACS? Answer: There have also been issues with the use of the "N" word. At IHS race is a big issue. This year it's still around. There are a group of kids referred to as "hicks" and they use a lot of racial slurs but nothing happens to them. Colleges should come into our schools to help educate, they can help and be involved. ICSD needs to educated kids about history instead of doing nothing about it. Character starts at home. The parents should teach history of racism. They should teach and learn with their kids. Question 6:How are youth of color treated at IHS and LACS? Answer: Guidance counselors often think that you don't have the requirements to get into certain colleges. If they are supposed to be guidance counselors they need to respect you. There is not much support, now that there is a student of color club at LACS it is a little better now.There needs to be more teachers of color; we need their support. Question 7: How do you think youth of color are perceived in the Ithaca Community, specifically treatment while shopping or treatment by the police? Answer: IPD treat coloreds differently. For instance if they see a group on the street they stop them automatically and think something is going on. If the cops see a group hanging - 2 - around Southside the kids break up and the cops circle around the block and may stop some of them and ask questions. Cops are quick to arrest and take you downtown. Then kids are put on PINS. Being followed is a common experience for all teens. Question 8: Please share your thoughts about employment opportunities for youth of color. Answer: Y.E.S! They are out there and help students find placements and help you get started. Three years ago [Teen] spoke at a Common Council budget hearing on behalf of Y.E.S. They have helped him for the past four years. By having a job young people with single parents are able to help out in some ways. Teens would like to see Y.E.S. stay around. Not only Y.E.S but also GIAC. The Village of Ithaca has also employed a Teen to organize a youth committee on which she now serves as president. Question 9: If you could change 1 thing at I.H.S or LACS what would you change? Answer: More staff of color. Regular classes could be better, also more student of color enrollment at LACS. There needs to action taken instantly and not delayed. (Teen 5) Need more moral support in the schools. The separation between IHS/LACS, we need to come together in order to take action. There is a need for advocacy. There are two teachers who currently are doing the job at LACS but are not getting paid for what they do. They are doing it out of the kindness of their hearts. Question 10: Where do you get support in community? Answer: I get support form my job and people at GIAC. I can talk to anyone there. Also, I would like to recognize the Let's Get Ready program through the Youth Bureau. I get support from Mrs. Nixon. I get support from Anna Goldsmith and Delilah Norman at LACS. The Village at Ithaca at Southside has been really encouraging. The floor was turned back to Chair Korherr who allotted time for council members to react or respond to teen panelists. Highlights ➢ Sense of disheartening to see racism is still going on. ➢ We want to hear that you support us ➢ To begin discussion we need to engage everyone and show him or her that everyone has a place. ➢ Realization is giant leap in our community. ➢ No safe space for the realization discussion to take place ➢ Where are the role models for our children? ➢ We need to recruit, rehire,and retain people of color working with our children. ➢ Mayor Peterson stated that she has a direct relationship with the Superintendent and would like to help in any way to encourage dialogue. ➢ This is an indictment on our community. People have died and have gone to jail and it makes no sense. The solution to racism is simple, and that is for someone to say `that's wrong". ➢ Teens bring a sense of hope and they should continue their quest for something better. Chair Korherr entertained a motion by Alderperson Townsend to create a subcommittee to evaluate the possibility of forming a Youth Council with representation from GIAC, IYB, and area schools. Seconded by Alderperson Berry. Korherr stated that she would - 3 - prefer to have a discussion at the April CNSC meeting with parameters identified.Motion carried. Chair Korherr entertained a motion by Alderperson Berry to present a resolution to the ICSD Board of Education encouraging their involvement in reducing the effects of racism. Seconded by Alderperson Clairborne. Motion carried. Meeting recessed for approx 10 minutes. Phase Two: Adult Panel discussion—began at 9:20 pm. Korherr stated that the teens were brilliant in expressing their thoughts and feelings.Adult members of the community responded to what was said. Audrey Cooper, Director of the Multicultural Resource Center; stated that she has raised children who have confronted the same issues. The dialogue, even though uncomfortable,has to happen in order to achieve our goal. Dr. Shinagawa, Ithaca Asian Association; the issues are real and a lot of times there is an ignorance which has manifested in others. We are dealing with the same issues at CU and IC. Marcia Forte, Director of GIAC; spoke on the need for funding to provide programming within existing agencies and through the ICSD, and prioritizing youth services over items such as downtown development. Schelly Michelle Nunn, Director of Human Resources for the City of Ithaca. She has children in school district and they too have had similar experiences. Christine Barksdale, City of Ithaca Police Officer; It was useful to listen to the teens and we should be concerned as to whether or not our children are treated fairly. If co-workers are treating kids unfairly, we need to give them somewhere to complain. I find it interesting even though I am a police officer, I have the same problems going into stores. Patrice Lockhart Anthony, Micro business owner, community activist, steering committee for village of Ithaca, advisor to youth committee; She came out of high school 30 years ago and there is no difference with the things that are going on. She is highly disturbed and dismayed at what is currently going on in system. We cannot go on ignoring it for people who are trying to live lives of convenience. Pastor James Prescott: AME Zion Church; He has been in the area 2 months and is trying to see what is going on in our community. We don't want to just be busy but effective. The school systems may not want our children but the jails do. In the 4`h grade students are put on a track. Parents don't know they have power. It is not enough to just have conversation but we must have a strategy. It takes a village to raise a child. Ralph Hardstead, Treasurer of the Multicultural Resource Center, CU Diversity leadership training program; Has interacted with children in the high school and what was said is nothing new and hopes that council members will not be defensive. Eldred Harris, Chairmen of the Village at Ithaca steering committee; We need to empower our children. We need a genuine solution to implement. We have escaped no ills that have bedeviled our society. Denial has fueled preposterous views. There is a lot of work to be done. -4 - . f Korherr formulated the 6 areas that were identified by the teen panel questions and additional comments from community members: ICSD, shopping on the Commons and other areas, media coverage, police treatment and discipline, equality and employment opportunities. Discussion followed. There is currently one IPD Officer assigned to Neighborhood Policing. Several people spoke in support of City wide neighborhood policing since dedicating the concept to one area is not effective. There needs to be action. A lot was heard tonight and we cannot do it all at one time. The City needs to chose a manageable number of areas of concern and set specific time lines otherwise the committee will be back here in 2 years with no action taken. When the 2007 budget comes around and YES comes in with a request it should be funded. There needs to be teen employment priority not just for summer jobs but year round. GIAC needs funding to be able to employ more young people. The CNSC needs to be sure that it follows through on what was said and make change happen. Kids can control their own destinies. Korherr thanked everyone for his or her attendance and input. Given the hour the first two goals for the evening had not been met. Further discussion will take place at a later date. Motion to adjourn by Berry,seconded by Clairborne. Motion carried. Humbly Submitted by, Darlise Barrett *This version has been abbreviated by the Chair for reviewing purposes. Extended length available from Darlise upon request. - 5 -