HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-01-26_07_00_PM-HRRC_PacketAgenda
Human Rights and Relations Commission
City Of Edina, Minnesota
Edina City Hall, Community Room
4801 West 50th Street Edina, MN 55424
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
7:00 PM
I.Call To Order
II.Roll Call
III.Approval Of Meeting Agenda
IV.Approval Of Meeting Minutes
A.Human Rights and Relations Minutes December 10, 2015
V.Community Comment
During "Community Comment," the Board/Commission will invite residents to share relevant
issues or concerns. Individuals must limit their comments to three minutes. The Chair may limit
the number of speakers on the same issue in the interest of time and topic. Generally speaking,
items that are elsewhere on tonight's agenda may not be addressed during Community Comment.
Individuals should not expect the Chair or Board/Commission Members to respond to their
comments tonight. Instead, the Board/Commission might refer the matter to sta% for
consideration at a future meeting.
VI.Reports/Recommendations
A.2016 Work Plan Updates
B.Community Conversations Report
C.Resident Request
VII.Correspondence And Petitions
A.Correspondence
VIII.Chair And Member Comments
IX.Sta0 Comments
X.Adjournment
The City of Edina wants all residents to be comfortable being part of the
public process. If you need assistance in the way of hearing ampli4cation, an
interpreter, large-print documents or something else, please call 952-927-8861
72 hours in advance of the meeting.
Date: January 26, 2016 Agenda Item #: IV.A.
To:Human Rights and Relations Commission Item Type:
Minutes
From:MJ Lamon, Project Coordinator
Item Activity:
Subject:Human Rights and Relations Minutes December 10,
2015
Action
CITY OF EDINA
4801 West 50th Street
Edina, MN 55424
www.edinamn.gov
ACTION REQUESTED:
Approve HRRC December 10, 2015 meeting minutes.
INTRODUCTION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
HRRC Draft Minutes from December 10, 2015
Draft Minutes☒
Approved Minutes☐
Approved Date: Click here to enter a date.
Minutes
City Of Edina, Minnesota
Human Rights and Relations Commission
City Hall, Council Chambers
Thursday, December 10, 2015
I. Call To Order
Chair Arseneault called the December 10th, 2015 Human Rights and Relations Commission
meeting to order at 7:01 PM.
II. Roll Call
Answering roll call were Chair Arseneault, Commissioners Kennedy, Seidman, Tian, Vecchio-
Smith, Winnick and Student Commissioners Kearney and Ramesh. Staff present: HRRC Staff
Liaison MJ Lamon.
Absent Members: Commissioners Rinn and Burza
III. Approval Of Meeting Agenda
Motion by Seidman to approve the December 10, 2015 Human Rights and Relations
Commission meeting agenda. Motion seconded by Winnick. Motion carried.
IV. Approval Of Meeting Minutes
Motion by Kennedy to approve the November 17, 2015 minutes. Motion seconded by
Seidman. Motion carried.
V. Special Recognitions And Presentations
Chair Arseneault introduced Sarah Walker, Government Affairs Consultant and member of the
Minnesota Second Chance Coalition. Ms. Walker presented to the HRRC on criminal justice
reform in the age of Ferguson and Black Lives Matter, and on best practices for cities and
local law enforcement in addressing issues of race bias.
VI. Community Comment
None.
VII. Reports/Recommendations
A. 2015 Work Plan Updates
a) Community Conversations
Draft Minutes☒
Approved Minutes☐
Approved Date: Click here to enter a date.
The Commission accepted the Community Conversations listening sessions report. The
report will be added to the January meeting agenda for the group to have discussion.
b) Affordable Housing
Commissioner Winnick provided recap of past years events related to affordable housing
in Edina and the affordable housing policy approved by the Council.
c) Human Rights City Designation
The Human Rights City Designation working group is continuing their outreach by
presenting to various organizations and groups. The most recent event took place at the
Edina Morningside Rotary. There are 4 more presentations scheduled at this time. Total
estimate of reach will be approximately 350 people.
d) Website Updates
Commission reviewed updates on the website, including “Tom Oye Award” and “Past
Projects”. Another website addition underway is the Days of Remembrance and Genocide
Awareness page.
B. 2016 Proposed Work Plan Initiatives
a) Sharing Values and Sharing Community
Created a committee to do pre-work on initiative pending the work plan being
approved. Vecchio-Smith and Winnick volunteered to be on the committee with
Kennedy.
b) 2016 Days of Remembrance Event
Date is set for Sunday, April 10 from 1pm to 3pm. Location is Edina City Hall, Council
Chambers. Lucy Smith has been secured as the presenter. The Committee will meet
soon to discuss more about marketing and promoting the event.
VIII. Correspondence And Petitions
None.
IX. Chair And Member Comments
Commissioner Kennedy: CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination Against Women) is going to be voted on at the next Minneapolis City Council
meeting. The cities of Minneapolis, St. Paul and Red Wing have recognized Indigenous
People’s Day.
Chair Arseneault: Resident who had attended a Community Conversations event has inquired
whether the HRRC can assist in leading a conversation in her apartment building among
diverse neighbors. HRRC requested this be added to January meeting agenda.
X. Staff Comments
Draft Minutes☒
Approved Minutes☐
Approved Date: Click here to enter a date.
Board and Commission work plans will be approved at the December 15 City Council
meeting.
XI. Adjournment
Motion by Kennedy to adjourn the November 17th HRRC meeting at 8:12 PM. Motion
seconded by Seidman. Motion carried.
Date: January 26, 2016 Agenda Item #: VI.A.
To:Human Rights and Relations Commission Item Type:
Report and Recommendation
From:MJ Lamon, Project Coordinator
Item Activity:
Subject:2016 Work Plan Updates Discussion
CITY OF EDINA
4801 West 50th Street
Edina, MN 55424
www.edinamn.gov
ACTION REQUESTED:
Members will provide updates on 2016 work plan initiatives.
INTRODUCTION:
1. Tom Oye Award (Rinn)
2. Days of Remembrance (Seidman/Arseneault/Kennedy)
3. Human Rights City Designation (Kennedy)
4. Affordable Housing (Winnick/Tian/Vecchio-Smith)
5. CEDAW (Kennedy)
6. Indigenous Peoples Day Designation (Kennedy)
7. Community Conversation with Eding Public Schools PCN (Vecchio-Smith)
8. Sharing Values, Sharing Community(Kennedy/Vecchio-Smith/Winnick)
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
2016 HRRC Approved Work Plan
2016 Schedule/Roster
2016 Tom Oye Nominations
Meetings and Events
Day Date Event Time Location
Tues Jan 26 Regular Meeting 7:00 pm Community Room
Tues Feb 23 Regular Meeting 7:00 pm Community Room
Mon Feb 29 BC Member Annual Meeting TBD Braemar Golf Course
Tues Mar 22 Regular Meeting 7:00 pm Community Room
Sun April 10 Days of Remembrance 1:00 pm City Hall Lobby/Chambers
Wed April 20 Volunteer Recognition TBD Braemar Golf Course
Tues April 26 Regular Meeting 7:00 pm Community Room
Tues May 24 Regular Meeting 7:00 pm Community Room
Tues June 28 Regular Meeting 7:00 pm Community Room
Tues July 19 Work Session w/ City Council 6:15 pm Community Room
Tues July 26 Regular Meeting 7:00 pm Community Room
Tues August 23 Regular Meeting 7:00 pm Community Room
Tues Sept 27 Regular Meeting 7:00 pm Community Room
Tues Oct 25 Regular Meeting 7:00 pm Community Room
Tues Nov 15 Regular Meeting 7:00 pm Community Room
Thurs Dec 8 Regular Meeting (Televised) 7:00 pm Council Chambers
Roster
Name Email Phone
Pat Arseneault arseneault.westchester@gmail.com (952) 367-7951
Jasna Burza jasna.burza@gmail.com
Ellen Kennedy kennedy@worldwithoutgenocide.org (952) 693-5206
Sarah Rinn smrinn@gmail.com
Jan Seidman jdseidman.247@gmail.com (952) 334-9799
Tony (Shuo) Tian tianx038@umn.edu
Maggie Vecchio-Smith mvecchiosmith@yahoo.com
Steve Winnick winsteve@comcast.net (952) 944-3453
Sid Ramesh (student) svr0414@gmail.com
Caitlin Kearney (student) cakearney16@blakeschool.org
MJ Lamon (Staff Liaison) mlamon@edinamn.gov (952) 826-0360
Devin Massopust (City Management
Fellow)
dmassopust@edinamn.gov (952) 826-0429
Telephone
Name of Person or Group
Email
Tel ephone
Relationship to Nominee
MJ Lamon
From: jgilgenbach@edinamn.gov
ient: Monday, January 04, 2016 10:12 AM
To: MJ Lamon
Subject: 2016 Tom Oye Human Rights Award Nomination Form form submission
Hi,
A 2016 Tom Oye Human Rights Award Nomination Form form has been submitted on 01/04/2016 via:
edinamn.gov/index.php?section=tomoye form
Name
Occupation
Dr. Terrie Rose
Work or Home Address in Edina
Email
Comments Regarding Nominee
Upload Essay
5021 Vernon Avenue, #115 Edina MN 55436
612-729-5171
Dr. Ellen Kennedy
kennedy@worldwithoutgenocide.org
952-693-5206
professional acquaintance
Dr. Rose is a nationally-regarded innovator in
education to address marginalized mothers and
children. She is promoting human rights through
educational access and equity.
Terrie Rose nomination, Tom Oye Award 2016.docx
-Edina Team.
1
It is an honor to nominate Edina resident Dr. Terrie Rose for the Tom Oye Human Rights Award.
Dr. Rose, a licensed child psychologist, began her career at the University of Minnesota serving as the
director of training for infant and toddler development. In 1999 she established Baby's Space, a unique
childcare model serving young children in poverty. Baby's Space provides integrated child and family
services along with prenatal — kindergarten and k-12 educational enhancements for children and
families living in poverty.
Her work is stimulated by a deep commitment to women who are parents and are challenged by
substance abuse, mental illness, and poverty. Dr. Rose noticed that children born into poor families and
communities are at high risk of toxic stress, abuse, neglect and other factors leading to developmental
delays, social and emotional difficulties, school failure and dropout. Recognizing that quality childcare
offers a key early intervention point for at-risk children, she developed an effective, baby-centered
model. Baby's Space is based on the cultures, values, and needs of local families and links quality
childcare and education to family services and parent education, including essential on-site mental
health services. These services support children's kindergarten-readiness by reducing stressors
correlated with poverty such as child maltreatment, substance abuse, domestic and community
violence, and parental mental illness. Vulnerable children living in poverty typically receive inadequate
diagnosis and treatment, so Baby's Space intentionally meets children where they are, physically and
emotionally.
Baby's Space is also a point of intervention and safety for children at risk for or involved in child
protective services. Parents are also engaged in a variety of parenting services including parent-child
therapies, parent education and support.
Dr. Rose is spreading a network of state-of-the-art childcare centers and she is training policymakers and
professionals. She is breaking the cycle of generational poverty and addressing socioeconomic
disparities while changing the way we address the early care and learning of its youngest members.
Over the past decade, services have expanded to meet requests from families. Tatanka Academy, an
alternative school, is an extension of her early-childhood program.
The financing of Baby's Space is multi-stream and includes subsidized childcare from the federal Child
Care Assistance Program, grant funding, and individual donations. Grant funders include The
Minneapolis Foundation; United Way; RBC Wealth Management; Ashoka Foundation; Fredrikson and
Byron PA; Target; General Mills; Sheltering Arms Foundation; Hennepin County; Social Venture Partners
Minnesota; Minneapolis Public Schools; Think Small Leaders in Early Learning; and K-12 Learning
Solutions. This broad base of support reflects public acknowledgment of the importance and
significance of Dr. Rose's work.
Dr. Rose has written a book about the importance of infant mental health, Emotional Readiness: How
Early Experience and Mental Health Predict School Success. She has also developed Kinderview
PLAYbook Infant and Toddler Curriculum kits. These resources are used widely throughout the country.
Baby's Space has expanded its successful model to other Minnesota neighborhoods and now is a
national template for child development, from a mother's pregnancy through the child's experience in
third grade.
Dr. Rose is changing society from the bottom up, addressing grave challenges faced by our most
vulnerable people — children and their families at risk. Her work embodies the greatest commitment to
human rights: creating a fairer and more just society by reducing poverty, treating mental illness,
increasing the quality of education, and developing healthy children and families in troubled
communities throughout the country. The organization's mission is to break the cycle of poverty
and academic failure by putting the baby's point of view at the center of full-service childhood
development programming, with a vision to graduate children and families who are healthy,
compassionate, well adjusted, prepared, educated, and contributors to thriving neighborhoods.
Contact information for Dr. Terri Rose
Baby's Space
2438 18th Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55404
P: 612-729-5171
F: 612-729-5228
contact@ ba byspace.org
Mission
To break the cycle of poverty and academic failure by putting the baby's point of view at
the center of full-service childhood development programming.
Vision
To graduate children (and families) who are healthy, compassionate, well adjusted,
prepared, educated, and contributors to thriving neighborhoods.
. Baby's Space is a holistic, research-based approach to infant through 3rd grade education, adolescent mental health
services and support for children and families residing in poverty and violence.
Occupation Community volunteer
Work or Home Address in Edina
Email
Telephone
Name of Person or Group
Contact Name, if different than above
Email
Telephone
Relationship to Nominee
4016 Inglewood Avenue S, Edina, MN 55416
jjanovy@outlook.com
952-920-4373
Stephanie Mullaney, Kim Montgomery
Kim Montgomery
edinashares@aol.com
952-925-1569
friend
MJ Lamon
rom:
dent:
To:
Subject:
Attachments:
jgilgenbach@edinamn.gov
Saturday, January 09, 2016 10:28 AM
MJ Lamon
2016 Tom Oye Human Rights Award Nomination Form form submission
Jennifer Janovy Tom Oye Award Application-2.docx
Hi,
A 2016 Tom Oye Human Rights Award Nomination Form form has been submitted on 01/09/2016 via:
edinamn.gov/index.php?section—tomoye_form
Name Jennifer Janovy
Jennifer is the daughter of two lifelong educators and
carries an educator's mindset and ethos into every task
she assumes. She asks herself "How would I respond
and react if I did not have all of the privileges
afforded to me living how and where I live?" and
"How can I help make the lives of those not afforded
the same privileges better?" That sort of embodiment
of empathy is at the crux of all human rights,
especially in a place of tremendous privilege like
Edina.
Jennifer Janovy Tom Oye Award Application-2.docx
Comments Regarding Nominee
Upload Essay
-Edina Team.
1
I am nominating Jennifer Janovy for the Tom Oye award for her courageous advocacy
for openness, transparency, ethics and accountability in local government. Jennifer's
selfless commitment and remarkable persistence are testaments to her commitment to
human rights and dignity afforded by open, fair, and transparent participatory
government.
As the Open Government Partnership Declaration states: "We embrace principles of
transparency and open government with a view toward achieving greater prosperity,
well-being, and human dignity in our own countries and around the world".
United Nations Annual Report of the U.N. High Commissioner (July 23,
2015) affirms: "International human rights instruments and mechanisms
acknowledge the right of all people to be fully involved in and to effectively
influence public decision-making processes that affect them. To ensure full
and effective participation in political and public affairs on an equal basis,
participatory mechanisms and processes must conform to certain
principles. Participation mechanisms and processes should be sufficiently
resourced, non-discriminatory, inclusive and designed so that concerned
groups, even the most marginalized, have the opportunity to voice their
opinions."
Open and transparent government, starting at the local level, is
foundational to basic human rights. Jennifer's relentless quest for open and
transparent government, resulting in far-reaching changes in city processes,
has been demonstrated through the following:
The city budget: The city manager is required by statute to present a budget to the city
council that includes all funds. For years, this was not done. Almost two-thirds of the
city's revenues and expenditures were excluded from the city budget presented to and
approved by the city council.
In 2010, Jennifer discovered this error and advocated for the full city budget to be
presented. The city manager at that time and some council members resisted, but
ultimately when the 2011 budget was presented, it included all funds. This major step
forward in financial transparency led to many changes, including the ongoing efforts to
improve the profitability of the city's enterprise facilities.
Jennifer's other contributions include:
• Helping to draft city code related to how board and commission members are
appointed and serve – increasing opportunities for citizen participation;
• Initiating the France Avenue pedestrian improvement project and drafting the
initial Living Streets policy and plan — providing greater transportation equity;
• Leading the majority opinion (6-2) as co-chair of the Community Advisory
Team in favor of first defining public uses for the public's land at Grand View;
• Advocating for the city's website to include required notifications when asking
citizens to provide information about themselves;
• Bringing needed attention to Open Meeting Law compliance issues — see IPAD
opinion 15-002;
• Encouraging city council members to discontinue the practice of meeting
privately, in sub-quorum configurations, with developers; and
• Encouraging the city council to adopt and adhere to ethics standards.
Jennifer's commitment to the highest ethics and standards for Edina, a
community she cherishes, is indefatigable and long-standing. She serves
the community quietly and humbly with no expectation of credit or award.
For that and many other reasons, I can think of no one more deserving of
the Tom Oye award.
MJ Lamon
From:
.ient:
To:
Subject:
Attachments:
jgilgenbach@edinamn.gov
Thursday, January 14, 2016 9:59 AM
MJ Lamon
2016 Tom Oye Human Rights Award Nomination Form form submission
arnie.docx
Hi,
A 2016 Tom Oye Human Rights Award Nomination Form form has been submitted on 01/14/2016 via:
edinamn.gov/index.php?section=tomoye form
Name
Occupation
Work or Home Address in Edina
Email
Telephone
Name of Person or Group
I Email
Telephone
Relationship to Nominee
Arnie Bigbee
Retired
Edina - not sure about address
arniebl@me.com
612-804-4660
Jasna Burza
jasna.burza@gmail.com
1612-978-0408
In 2014, the Edina Human Rights and Relations
Commission adopted a new initiative called
Community Conversations, a series of structured
listening sessions modeled after the work of The
Advocates for Human Rights. The commission's
objective was to discover how residents of Edina,
especially those of diverse backgrounds, experienced
our community. Arnie Bigbee was solely responsible
for bringing this project to Edina and without his
initiative and perseverance; we wouldn't have
received such phenomenal feedback. Arnie recruited
volunteers, many of whom became instrumental in the
completion of the Conversations; He coordinated with
the The Advocates for Human Rights and our schools
to ensure we were doing this right and including
many different parties. He started out as the Chair of
the Working Group, and continued in his dedication
to see the Conversations completed as a community
volunteer. We cannot thank you enough for such
outstanding work Arnie and for being the voice for
Comments Regarding Nominee
1
amie.docx Upload Essay
-Edina Team.
A A,
those that don't feel like they have one.
2
In 2014, the Edina Human Rights and Relations Commission adopted
a new initiative called Community Conversations, a series of
structured listening sessions modeled after the work of The
Advocates for Human Rights. The commission's objective was to
discover how residents of Edina, especially those of diverse
backgrounds, experienced our community.
The Advocates for Human Rights evolved the process for Community
Conversations to include several principles, including openness,
confidentiality, and accuracy in recording comments. The
Conversations, called "listening sessions," were held in easily
accessible locations in neighborhoods with which the residents were
familiar and comfortable. Snacks and refreshments were provided to
encourage sharing.
This project is extremely important to our community as we try and
understand changing demographics and needs of those who are not
often heard in this community. From its inception, Arnie believed that
the Conversations would give us great feedback and would give voice
to those who do not feel seen or heard in Edina. I like to call him
Robin Hood of Edina
Arnie Bigbee was solely responsible for bringing this project to Edina
and without his initiative and perseverance; we wouldn't have
received such phenomenal feedback. Arnie recruited volunteers,
many of whom became instrumental in the completion of the
Conversations; He coordinated with the The Advocates for Human
Rights and our schools to ensure we were doing this right and
including many different parties. He started out as the Chair of the
Working Group, and continued in his dedication to see the
Conversations completed as a community volunteer.
We cannot thank you enough for such outstanding work Arnie and for
being the voice for those that don't feel like they have one.
Telephone
Name of Person or Group
Contact Name, if different than above
< td style=twidth:375px;padding:5px 10px'>Email
Telephone
Relationship to Nominee
lana.davis@edinaschools.org
952-848-3908
Edina Community Education and Edina Resource
Center
Andrea Bernhardt
andrea.bernhardt@edinaschools.org
952-848-3938
Comments Regarding Nominee
Upload Essay
Upload Supporting Materials
Upload Supporting Materials
MJ Lamon
From: jgilgenbach@edinamn.gov
,ent: Friday, January 15, 2016 8:43 AM
To: MJ Lamon
Subject: 2016 Tom aye Human Rights Award Nomination Form form submission
Attachments: LanaDavisTomOyeAwardEssay2016.docx; Lana Supporting Letter - City of Edina.docx;
Lana Supporting Letter - Edina Public Schools.docx
Hi,
A 2016 Tom Oye Human Rights Award Nomination Form form has been submitted on 01/15/2016 via:
edinamn.gov/index.php?section—tomoye form
Name
Occupation Family Center Specialist
I Lana Davis
Lana Davis has worked for the Edina Resource Center
and Edina Community Education Services for over 20
years. She currently works to support community
members on a daily basis by linking families and
individuals to everything from registering for classes
to giving out information about resources. Regardless
of the need, Lana gives her undivided attention and
remarkable service to each and every person.
LanaDavisTomOyeAwardEss! ay2016.docx
Lana Supporting Letter - City of Edina.docx
Lana Supporting Letter - Edina Public Schools.docx
-Edina Team.
1
Tom Oye Award Nomination 2016
January, 15th, 2016
On behalf of Edina Community Education Services (CES) and the Edina Resource Center (ERC), we would
like to nominate Lana Davis for the Tom Oye Human Rights Award for her distinguished level of service
and care to the community of Edina. She has supported the ERC and CES for over 20 years as a
connector of resources for anyone who lives, works, or goes to school in Edina. In her various roles,
most recently as the Edina Family Center Specialist, she supports community members on a daily basis.
Lana connects individuals and families to everything from Early Education and youth classes to adult
learning opportunities as well as educating them about resources available in the community.
Lana unfailingly prioritizes the feelings and needs of all who interact with her, whether on the phone or
in person. She lets whomever she's with know that they are important and valued. Lana shows a high
level of respect to those she works with, even when others might be stressed or frustrated and strives to
be calm, cool and collected at all times. When faced with a challenge, Lana not only will help clarify and
understand it, she'll seek out potential solutions and feedback from others in collaboration for how to
best solve it.
Lana continually goes the "extra mile" to ensure that customer needs are met in a timely manner. She
asks important follow-up questions, circles around to ensure that questions are answered and seeks out
additional data in anticipation of further helping those who she serves. Lana ensures every last detail is
attended to and this is what makes her service to others so exceptional. Each year the Edina Rotary
donates Thanksgiving baskets to families in need. When Lana supported the Edina Resources Center,
she worked diligently with the staff, school social workers, peers, and community members to help
identify recipients and streamline the delivery process. Her work and support with that effort in 2014
helped to double the amount of basket donations from the previous year.
Lana takes the time to actively listen to people as they ask their questions and share their story so she
may better assess what information is needed given the situation. She brings a special level of sincerity
and empathy while taking great care in her work.
Regardless of the need, family structure or background of the client, Lana gives her undivided attention
and remarkable service to each and every person.
Supporting Letter for Lana Davis
January 17th, 2015
I have had the pleasure of working with Lana Davis for over 14 years. We worked for 9 years together
at the Edina Resource Center (ERC). When I was hired as the Coordinator of the ERC, Lana was the
Clerical Support. She basically taught me all I needed to know about the operations and database.
However, Lana also gently modeled for me how to treat people with dignity and compassion while
understanding that the ERC was a connection place primarily. Together, we built up a collaboration of
folks who helped us spread the word about the work of the ERC. Lana was instrumental in helping with
the marketing and outreach. Over the years — the Edina Resource center grew in significance to Edina.
Our office helped open the former Welcome Center —which was the home of registration and
resources. Our goal was to connect all new families to Edina with information to help them acclimate
successfully to both Edina Public Schools but to the community of Edina. Lana's job continues to evolve
and her time supporting the ERC has lessened, but her commitment to community and to stellar
customer service has never waivered — no matter who walks in our door - Lana Davis is a community
star and I believe she exemplifies the intent of the Tom Oye award by fostering respect and dignity for
others, modeling courage and/or compassion to those in need and improves human relations by
connecting people to the resources and services they need to better their existence.
Valerie Burke is the current Director of Edina Community Education Services and former Coordinator of
the Edina Resource Center— both departments of the Edina Public Schools.
Supporting Letter for Lana Davis
December 23rd, 2014
Lana Davis exemplifies the meaning of the word Caring. At the Edina Resource Center, she is the first
voice people often hear on the other end of the phone or the first person to greet you when you arrive-
and that is a good thing! Instantly a person can tell that she genuinely cares by her calm and kind
demeanor. When a person is in need of help with connecting to a resource, Lana is not only proficient
regarding what resources are available, but will always express empathy. She treats all who come in
contact with her with respect. I have witnessed on many occasions Lana reassuring someone, following
up with someone, and offering to send off information that will be of help.
She is patient and always professional. Edina is very fortunate to have Lana Davis, as support staff, at
fot the Resource Center. She takes people where they are at and helps them to find the resources they
need in a very dignified manner. Lana Davis is a true humanitarian.
Dawn Beitel, Assistant Manager at Edinborough Park and Kristin Aarsvold, Recreation Supervisor City of
Edina.
i Name
Occupation
Work or Home Address in Edina
Email
Telephone
Name of Person or Group
Email
Telephone
I Relationship to Nominee
Comments Regarding Nominee
MJ Lamon
From: MJ Lamon
Sent: Tuesday, January 19, 2016 8:40 AM
To: Mi Lamon
Subject: Fwd: 2016 Tom Oye Human Rights Award Nomination Form form submission
Attachments: Lauren Morse-Wendt - 2016 Tom Oye Award Nomination.docx; AT100001.htm;
Supporting Material - Tom Oye Award Nomination.pdf; ATT00002.htm
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
From: <j gilgenbach@edinamn.gov>
Date: January 16, 2016 at 9:04:15 AM CST
To: <mlamon@edinamn.gov>
Subject: 2016 Tom Oye Human Rights Award Nomination Form form submission
Reply-To: <i gilgenbach@edinamn.gov>
Hi,
A 2016 Tom Oye Human Rights Award Nomination Form form has been submitted on
01/16/2016 via: edinamn.gov/index.php?section=tomoyeform
Lauren Morse-Wendt
Mission and Ministry Developer, Edina Communit,
Lutheran Church
4113 W 54th St, Edina, MN 55424
lmorsewendt@ecic.org
952-926-3803
Jackie Sullivan
sullivan6832@comcast.net
952-941-4153
I serve with Lauren on the 66 West Task Force,
representing St. Stephen's Church as a collaboratin
congregation.
Lauren Morse-Wendt has led a collaborative
campaign to create the first apartment building for
homeless young adults in the west metro. Her
dedication has brought Edina together to take pride
1
caring for all young people, providing an opportuni
for everyone to thrive, and embracing an inclusive
community vision.
Upload Essay
Upload Supporting Materials
-Edina Team.
Lauren Morse-Wendt - 2016 Tom Oye Award
Nomination.docx
Supporting Material - Tom Oye Award
Nomination.pdf
2
Lauren Morse-Wendt Nomination Essay for the Tom Oye Award
I, Jackie Sullivan, am honored to nominate Lauren Morse-Wendt for her tireless and successful efforts
to carry out Tom Oye's legacy of human dignity and compassion. Lauren has stewarded a community-
driven process to affirm our inclusive values and create not only homes for homeless youth in Edina
but systemic changes for justice. In Lauren's words, "I believe in home because every child of God has
the right to shelter, to safety, and to community. Home is central to all of those."
Four years ago, members of Edina Community Lutheran Church (ECLC) learned that the fastest
growing homeless population is young adults on their own; they may graduate from foster care,
become homeless after revealing their sexual preference, or leave a dysfunctional home. Consulting
community experts, Lauren arranged a tour for ECLC members of a youth housing program in
Minneapolis. They intended to volunteer with a similar agency in the suburbs. They learned that none
existed, resolving to create homes for youth in their own community.
Recognizing Edina's history of racial and economic exclusion and learning that Edina's last affordable
apartment was built in 1992, Lauren led a sustained community organizing campaign to win support.
For four years Lauren and ECLC presented to adult forums, hosted interfaith breakfasts, collected post-
cards, supported benefit concerts, and staged rallies. I personally became aware of suburban youth
homelessness attending one of the breakfasts hosted by Lauren and ECLC. Now nine other churches
formally participate, representing Lutheran, Congregational, Methodist, Episcopal and Catholic
traditions.
The results have been inspiring. There is growing awareness of the stories of Edina youth who have no
home to return to when the high school or Southdale Library closes. ECLC's initial vision for housing
is now known as "66 West." Over $11 million has been raised, and construction will begin this
summer. 66 West will bring economic integration to the Southdale neighborhood and advance Edina's
goal to expand affordable housing. Youth from Edina and the southwest suburbs will find a stable
home in their own community. Interacting with tenants, volunteers and neighbors may challenge
preconceptions about race, poverty, and who experiences homelessness and why.
The process to organize support for 66 West, with Lauren's leadership, advanced a conversation about
our community vision and values. 360 Edina residents contacted city officials during zoning approval
for 66 West. Last May, the City Council unanimously approved $550,000 for 66 West; further,
Councilmember Bob Stewart acknowledged the city had "additional work to do... to figure out a
greater context to address affordable housing issues." In November, Edina's first-ever inclusionary
affordable housing policy went into effect. Hundreds of Edina residents were organized to improve
statewide systems for homeless youth, helping to increase funding for the Homeless Youth Act from
an extremely inadequate $238,000 to over $8 million, a portion of which will help 66 West tenants
build self-sufficiency.
Much work lies ahead to complete 66 West and support the youth who will live there, yet with
leadership from Lauren and the Task Force I am hopeful and confident.
2016 Tom Oye Human Rights Award Nomination of
Lauren Morse-Wendt
Supporting Materials
Current 66 West Task Force Membership:
Jen Auguston
Bernie Beaver
David Couillard
Sharon Hall
Christine Haugen
Marilyn Miller
Lauren Morse-Wendt
Lois Olson
Erik Scheurle
Maura Schnorbach
Sara Schwiebert
Jackie Sullivan
Mark Swiggum
Dan Tysver
Linda Woodstrom
INTERFAITH HOUSING COLLABORATIVE
iv*
Beacon believes every young adult
deserves a stable home and a strong
start. 66 West Apartments—the first
housing for young adults in suburban
Hennepin County—will be home for 39
young people pursuing education and
career goals. Our housing will provide a
haven of support for young people who
haven't had the advantages of some of
their peers,
Though it's usually not obvious, there
are youth in the suburbs without a
home. Many are good at "hiding in
plain sight" - in other words, they go to
school, to their jobs, do their homework
at the library or the mall food court
without anyone realizing they are
homeless.
•
••_•2.
)Al.Pip---31U01626s,
'
Local youth service providers and schools estimate that although its not obvious,
about 250 youth experience homelessness in our southwest suburban Hennepin
communities each year
Contact us www.beaconinterfaith.org . phone 651-789-6260 • Twitter: @BelieveInHome
ccr..toe.:44.
Beacon plans to build 39 apartments for
youth and young adults on West 66th Street
in Edina. This location near Southdale
Center and Fairview Southdale Hospital
is ideal for youth housing - it's close to
hundreds of jobs in the area, with excellent
access to public transportation.
The tenants will be primarily young adults
(18-22 years old) from the southwestern
suburbs of Hennepin County who have
experienced homelessness. We'll provide
on-site professional support as they
transition from homelessness to stable
housing - and as they work toward their
educational, career and personal goals. The
building will be professionally managed,
ensuring tenants' security and attention to
neighborhood needs.
To create 66 West requires the investment
of significant public and private resources
to build and to provide the ongoing services
that will allow these young adults to thrive,
not just survive.
66 West will be home to 39youth andyoung adults from the
southwestern suburbs who have experienced homelessness.
Pictured: A preliminary architect's sketch.
"We are thrilled to create housing in this central location of Edina.
Residents will be steps from job opportunities, multiple bus lines, and
community resources such as the public library and the YMCA.
We are excited to add to the growing community that is this bustling,
forward-thinking neighborhood.".
"Youth homelessness is increasing in Minnesota
- Lauren Morse-Wendt, mission and ministry and suburban communities are not excluded
developer at Edina Communi0 Lutheran Church. (ECLC), from this problem. Many children within our own
66 West lead congregational partner with Beacon Interfaith neighborhoods need our help. We have the means
Housing Collaborative, and the know-how - it is time to step up!"
- State Senator Melisa Franzen, District 49
*Beacon Contact us www.beaconinterfaith.org phone 651-789-6260 . Twitter: @BelieveInHome
Beacon has experience creating successful supportive housing. The young adults in our Nicollet
Square housing are thriving thanks to the combination of on-site support from professional,
caring adults who listen and guide.
Garlicia 1,3 enrolled in college and works part-
time in retail She said Nicollet Square felt like
home" from day one thanks to the strong sup-
port of staff and the communi ry support from
volunteers and other tenants.
Tenants work closely with staff who help them
stick to their goals, process difficult concerns or
issues and plan their future.
Ashley completed an internship at Butter Baker)), where
she learned about sustainable and organic sourcing along
with other aspects of the restaurant business.
Rich just moved into his own apartment after 3 years at
Nicollet Square. There he has worked steadily repaid almost
half of his college loan debt, recently secured a full-time job
and plans to re-enroll in college soon to study business and
real estate.
Education is the key to success foryoung adults
The average dropout can expect to earn an annual
income of $20,241, according to the U.S. Census
Bureau. That's a full $10,386 less than the typical
high school graduate, and $36,424 less than some-
one with a bachelor's degree.
Supportive housing is a wise public investment
According to a 2012 Wilder Foundation study, sup-
portive housing returns $1.44 to taxpayers for every
public dollar invested. Stable, supportive housing
allows formerly homeless youth to attain a higher
level of education and increase their earnings.
Beacon
You can help build housing
for homeless youth
Educate: Tour Nicollet Square to see how supportive housing
for youth works. Bring a friend. See scheduled dates on our
calendar at www.beaconinterfaith.org/events or call to arrange
a tour for you and your guests, 651-789-6260 x200.
Advocate: Ask your neighbors to join you in supporting this
housing for your community's young adults. Check our
website to find out how you can get involved:
www.beaconinterfaith.org/YouthHousing
Donate Invest in youth by supporting Beacon's work to
create supportive housing for them
Go to vrwwbeaconinterfaith org/give
Beacon's Minneapolisyouth housing Nicollet Square, is home to 42 young adults, 95 percent of whom are working and 42 percent of whom
are enrolled in post-secondaly education.
Beacon is an experienced housing developer in the
nonprofit sector. We are also one of the largest sup-
portive housing providers in the area and all our
housing is professionally managed. Our housing
is created by the region's best design, engineering
and construction professionals, with input from
our congregational and community partners. Our
unique model is to partner with a collaborative of
congregations committed to ending homelessness,
such as Edina Community Lutheran Church, our
partner at 66 West. Congregations bring the pas-
sion to end homelessness, plus resources - whether
financial contributions, land or community engage-
ment - to create housing in their communities.
*Beacon Contact us • www.beaconinterfaith.org • phone 651-789-6260 . Twitter: @BelieveInHome
til
Edina, Minnesota Mendel/flick")
1/16/2015 Why an Affluent Suburb Rallied Behind Affordable Housing - CityLab
From The Atlantic
Aiftt.TA I AB
Why an Affluent Suburb Rallied Behind
Affordable Housing
A church and an interfaith housing group got Edina, Minnesota, to back a
new project for at-risk youth—although a few holdouts remain.
ANNA BERGREN MILLER J 7 @abergrenmiller I Dec 1, 2014 I ip 7 Comments
Of the Twin Cities' tony western suburbs, Edina is arguably the toniest. Home
to professional athletes and Fortune 500 CEOs, the town has a reputation for
snobbery; its name is said to be an acronym for, among other things,
But not all Edinans satisfy the stereotype. The town's homeless population
includes a number of young adults, teenagers and men and women in their
early twenties, who left home to escape dysfunction, abuse, or substance-
addicted guardians.
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1/16/2015 Why an Affluent Suburb Rallied Behind Affordable Housing - CityLab
"People are often surprised that there's homelessness in the suburbs,
particularly in Edina," says Lauren Morse-Wendt, mission and ministry director
at Community Lutieran Church (ECLC). "But youth are struggling here;
they just don't want anyone to know, it."
"People are often surprised that
there's homelessness in the
suburbs, particularly in Edina. But
youth are struggling here; they just
don't want anyone to know it."
In partnership with r..A.c1 . . cot,' ItivQ, a nonprofit
homeless services provider and advocacy group based in St. Paul, ECLC plans
to build a 39-unit supportive housing project across from Edina's Southdale
Mall (a regional transportation hub and, like the nearby hospital, a ready
source of entry-level jobs). Beacon negotiated a purchase agreement for the
site several weeks ago, and has tapped the architecture firm Urban Works to
renovate and expand an existing TCF bank building to accommodate studio
apartments, communal facilities, and offices for support staff.
NTED BY
GLOBAL STORIES from CityLab
AMERICAN FUTURES from The Atlantic
t ory of Moor): 'ow an 'kely Compa
EV IT crAl LS from AtianticLIVE
Y Ott
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1/16/2015 Why an Affluent Suburb Rallied Behind Affordable Housing - CityLab
The project, which ECLC initiated, is modeled after Nicollet Square, a 42-unit
apartment building for homeless youth in downtown Minneapolis. Like at
Nicollet Square, residents of the Edina community, called 66 West, will sign
leases and pay rent, and are encouraged to move on to independent housing
after one to two years.
A rendering of 66 West (Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative)
"It's designed to support people as they begin to live independently," says Lee
Blons, Beacon's executive director. "They'll buy their own groceries and cook
their own meals. But then the staff is there in terms of guidance, helping them
learn to navigate the world."
Founded about 15 years ago by Plymouth Church in Minneapolis, Beacon now
represents 70 congregations committed to ending homelessness in the Twin
Cities. The organization operates 16 apartment buildings with a total of
approximately 500 units.
ECLC contacted Beacon after dedicating a portion of funds from the church's
building campaign to the issue of youth homelessness. "ECLC toured Nicollet
Square, thinking they might do a toiletry drive," recalls Blons. "They came away
and said, 'Yeah, let's build an apartment building.' They're a committed,
dedicated church, but they're not that large, so it was a huge undertaking on
their part."
Because it is located in a section of town designated for medical offices, 66
West required both rezoning and an amendment to the comprehensive plan to
move forward. Edina City Council at a September
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1/16/2015 Why an Affluent Suburb Rallied Behind Affordable Housing - CityLab
meeting—a major victory for 66 West's supporters.
"It hasn't been easy to get affordable housing approved there," says Blons, who
notes that Edina has approved only 11 new units of affordable housing since
1996, despite a goal (set by the town and the Metropolitan Council) of adding
212 affordable housing units between 2011 and 2020.
Lauren Morse-Wendt (Emily Ann Garcia)
The city council decision follows extensive community mobilization by ECLC.
Morse-Wendt, who says she now spends approximately one-quarter of her
work hours on 66 West, helped organize hundreds of community presentations
—to neighboring congregations, city staff, the Rotary Club, and other groups
—with guidance from Beacon's congregational partnership organizers.
"By the time we found the perfect site and took the proposal to rezoning, we
had hundreds across the city who were rooting for us," Morse-Wendt says.
"They were ready to show up and write postcards." Planning commission
hearings often attract more project opponents than supporters, but at the
September meeting, fans of 66 West estimate they outnumbered detractors by
ten to one.
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1/16/2015 Why an Affluent Suburb Rallied Behind Affordable Housing - CityLab
Supporters of the project, dressed in green, at the planning hearing
(Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative)
"That represents about two years of work," Blons says. "It doesn't just magically
happen."
A vocal group of Edinans continues to oppose 66 West. Calling themselves
"Citizens to Preserve the Edina Regional Medical District," r.
Qscq• Lqd. against the city council on October 8,
alleging procedural errors in allowing the change to the comprehensive plan,
and arguing that the affordable housing complex will cause nearby businesses
to "suffer irreparable harm." : ; thTit be and
both Blons and ECLC's pastor, Rev. Erik Strand, chalk the protest up to some
combination of NIMBYism and misguided fear.
"The pushback is really from a small group of folks," says Strand. "They don't
understand. Or they want [more affordable housing], but they want it
somewhere else."
A group of undisclosed parties
filed a lawsuit against the city
council on October 8, alleging
procedural errors in allowing the
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1/16/2016 Why an Affluent Suburb Rallied Behind Affordable Housing - CityLab
change to the comprehensive plan,
and arguing that the affordable
housing complex will cause nearby
businesses to "suffer irreparable
harm."
The development is still a long way from completion. "It's huge that [the city
council approved the project], but it doesn't mean it opens up in a year," says
Blons. In the months to come, ECLC will meet with potential private donors (the
congregation has itself committed $80,000 of the estimated $9 million
required), apply for local and state grants, and travel to the state capital to
advocate for more state funding for homeless youth.
Lee Blons (Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative)
As for the lawsuit, neither Beacon nor ECLC sees much cause for concern.
"We've been through it before," says Blons, recalling an unsuccessful suit
against Lydia Apartments, Beacon's first project. "It hasn't stopped us or the
City of Edina." Morse-Wendt agrees. "When I've talked to people [who oppose
66 West], I say, 'In three years you'll be our biggest supporter."
Presented by
.1 L 1U ic ClIASE
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1/16/2015 Why an Affluent Suburb Rallied Behind Affordable Housing - CityLab
About the Author
Anna Bergren Miller is a contributing editor at The Architect's
Newspaper. She lives in the Twin Cities.
ALL POSTS IV @abergrenmiller
„
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1/14/2016 Edina youth housing project gets more than $1 million in local funding - StarTribune.com
WEST METRO
Edina youth housing project gets more
than $1 million in local funding
Affordable-housing project for homeless youth secures seed money
from local sources.
By John Reinan (http://envwstartribune.com/john-reinan/273043871/) Star Tribune
MAY 8,2015 — 8:53PM
A million down, $9 million to go.
An affordable housing project in Edina for homeless youth landed more than $1 million
in local funding this week, a show of financial support that's expected to pave the way
for state and private funding to reach the development's $10 million price tag.
Hennepin County pledged $500,000 to the 66 West development, which will transform a
TCF Bank building across from Southdale into 39 studio apartments for teens and young
people who have been homeless.
And the city of Edina kicked in $550,000 on a unanimous vote of the City Council.
Before the vote, Edina Mayor James Hovland praised the community for strongly
supporting the project.
"Some people may not expect this of Edina," he said. "But the breadth of support
throughout our community for this project was just astounding."
The local funding is a crucial element in securing state and private dollars to finish the
development, said Anne Mavity, director of new projects for Beacon Interfaith Housing
Collaborative, the developer of 66 West.
"The state looks to make sure the local community is supportive of these projects," she
said. "This community in Edina, from the congregations and the individual residents to
the leaders on the City Council, have really stepped up and embraced 66 West and
addressing the issue of suburban homelessness and youth homelessness."
Mavity said the project will apply for state housing funds in June, with a decision
expected in October. Beacon is also raising funds from private donors for the project.
johnseinan@startribune.com 612-673-7402 stribguy
http://www.startribune.com/edina-youth-housing-project-gets-m ore-than- 1-m ill i on-in-1 ocal-fundi ng/303146961/ 1/1
1/14/2016 Edina housing for homeless youths lands $8.3 million in funding - StarTribune.com
WEST METRO
Edina housing for homeless youths lands
$8.3 million in funding
By John Reinan (http://www.startribune.com/john-reinan/273043871/) Star Tribune
OCTOBER 22, 2015 — 11:34PM
An Edina affordable housing development for homeless youths was awarded $8.3
million in state funding on Thursday, ensuring construction of the project.
The city approved 66 West Apartments last year, but funding from Minnesota Housing,
the state's housing finance agency, was necessary to complete it.
Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative, the project developer, is grateful to the state,
the city and "the grass roots support among community members that ... has carried us
forward to this point," said Executive Director Lee Blons.
The project received widespread support from churches in Edina and other west
suburban communities.
The development, across W. 66th Street from Southdale, will include 39 studio
apartments with supportive services. Residents will be primarily young adults between
18 and 22 who have been living on the street or in shelters. They will be responsible for
paying their own rent at a subsidized rate. On-site services will be geared to helping the
residents with education and employment opportunities.
Construction is expected to begin in the spring, with a total cost of about $112 million.
JOHN REINAN
john.reinan@startribune.com 612-673-7402 stribguy
(http://stmedia.startribune.com/images/14455747221 0092221+
JEFF WHEELER. STAR TRIBUNE
The debate in September 2014 as the Edina
City Council took up the proposed 66 West
Apartments.
http://www.startribune.com/edina-housing-for-homeless-youth-lands-8-3-million-in-funding/336098551/ 1/1
Work or Home Address in Edina
Name
MJ Lamon
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Attachments:
jgilgenbach@edinamn.gov
Friday, January 15, 2016 12:01 PM
MJ Lamon
2016 Tom Oye Human Rights Award Nomination Form form submission
Wooj Byun Nomination.pdf
Form form has been submitted on 01/15/2016 via:
Hi,
A 2016 Tom Oye Human Rights Award Nomination
edinamn.gov/index.php?section=tomoye form
Email
Name of Person or Group
Email
Home: 6836 Oaklawn Ave.; Work: 7200 France Ave.
S., Suite 230
woojbyun@gmail.com
952-994-4470
Jennifer Bennerotte, Rotary Club of Edina President
jbennerotte@EdinaRotary.org
612-201-3467
A Rotarian since 1997 and Past President of the
Rotary Club of Edina, local immigration and
volunteer Wooj Byun exemplifies the Rotary motto of
"Service Above Self." His entire life has been
dedicated to fostering respect and dignity for others,
modeling courage and compassion in the
advancement of human rights, and demonstrating
leadership by improving human relations. His
personal legacy is one of making the world a smaller
place and inspiring others.
Comments Regarding Nominee
Upload Essay
-Edina Team.
Woodrow "Wooj" Byun
Immigration Attorney
1
Rotary
Club of Edina
15 January 2016
City of Edina
Human Rights & Relations Commission
4801W. 50th St.
Edina, MN 55424
Dear Commissioners:
Please consider local immigration attorney and volunteer Woodrow "Wooj" Byun for the 2016 Tom Oye
Human Rights Award.
A Rotarian since 1997 and Past President of the Rotary Club of Edina, Wooj exemplifies the Rotary motto
of "Service Above Self." His entire life has been dedicated to fostering respect and dignity for others,
modeling courage and compassion in the advancement of human rights, and demonstrating leadership by
improving human relations. His personal legacy is one of making the world a smaller place and inspiring
others.
In 1990, Wooj came to the United States from Korea to attend the University of Minnesota Law School on
a Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholarship. Without the scholarship, his family would not have
been able to afford his education in the United States. He realized that the $23,800 Ambassadorial
Scholarship he received could have been invested in other ways. In fact, if that money had been invested
in Apple stock, he figures it would be worth well over $2 million today. So, he has made it his personal
mission to pay it back through his professional and volunteer work.
Though his own story is one of inspiration, he regularly tries to share others' stories. In 2008, Wooj
brought acclaimed Korean pianist Hee Ah Lee to the Twin Cities for a moving concert. With just four
fingers, Hee Ah Lee is a national treasure and source of inspiration in Korea. Byun wanted to share her
music and story of hope with fellow Rotarian's and community members. He made an extra special effort
to invite youth with disabilities to hear her play. (Read a Star-Tribune story about the concert online at
hap://www.startribune.comibecoming-an-instrument-of-hopeZ3o986o59/.)
Wooj has also made it a personal mission to thank as many U.S. veterans as he could find in the area who
fought in the Korean War. His father told him that he owes his life to the young American soldiers who
came to rescue Korea from communist invasion in 1950. Wooj first requested recognition for those
veterans he knows, including Edina residents and fellow Rotarians Bill Clynes, Hal Harris and Ron
Erhardt. Thanks to Wooj's request, those veterans have received medals of honor from the Korean
government. In his presentation of the medal to Rep. Ron Erhardt, Wooj said, "Finding surviving Korean
War Veterans and recognizing them properly has been a personal quest for me, and it has been a great
honor on my part. Freedom is not free. Thank you, Ron, for dedicating one important chapter of your life
to preserving peace and freedom in Korea over 60 years ago."
Wooj wrote a book in 2014 titled My Rotary Journey. It is a memoir of his life and is full of inspirational
stories, events in his life and quotes. It is a must-read for those interested in reading a story about one
man's mission to continue to give back and recognize others. All profits from the sale of his book go to
charity.
Rotary Club of Edina
4801 West 50th Street * Edina, Minnesota 55424
Wooj serves as volunteer legal counsel for Rotary International District 5950. He and his wife, Jennifer
Park, have hosted several international youth exchange students in their home. Wooj's efforts to give back
are not limited to his work with Rotary. He is a volunteer in several other organizations, including the
Asian Pacific Cultural Center, Korean Association of Minnesota and the Weisman Art Museum at the
University of Minnesota.
Please contact me if you have any questions or need additional information to consider this nomination.
Thank you!
Sincerely,
FA Pin 40.9--,
Jennifer L. Bennerotte
President, 20915-2016
Date: January 26, 2016 Agenda Item #: VI.B.
To:Human Rights and Relations Commission Item Type:
Report and Recommendation
From:MJ Lamon, Project Coordinator
Item Activity:
Subject:Community Conversations Report Discussion
CITY OF EDINA
4801 West 50th Street
Edina, MN 55424
www.edinamn.gov
ACTION REQUESTED:
None.
INTRODUCTION:
Human Rights and Relations Commission received the Community Conversations working group report as part of
their December 2015 meeting packet. The Commission will discuss the findings at the January meeting.
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Community Conversations Report
Community Conversations Working
Group Report
To
Edina Human Rights and Relations Commission
December 10, 2015
Background
In 2014, the Edina Human Rights and Relations Commission adopted a
new initiative called Community Conversations, a series of structured
listening sessions modeled after the work of The Advocates for Human
Rights. The commission’s objective was to discover how residents of
Edina, especially those of diverse backgrounds, experienced our
community.
The Advocates for Human Rights evolved the process for Community
Conversations to include several principles, including openness,
confidentiality, and accuracy in recording comments. The Conversations,
called “listening sessions,” were held in easily accessible locations in
neighborhoods with which the residents were familiar and comfortable.
Snacks and refreshments were provided to encourage sharing.
The Process
Each Conversation listening session consisted of three main parts: (1)
asking participants to identify the qualities of the perfect welcoming
community; (2) small group discussions around one central question, “What
is your experience of being welcomed in Edina?;” and (3) gathering
feedback from the small group discussions.
Demographics
Overall, six Conversation listening sessions were held, in November 2014
and October 2015. Out of the seventy-five Edina residents who
participated, fifty participants completed demographic questionnaires.
The demographic forms indicated:
• 23 female / 27 male
• 30 white / 2 African American / 4 African / 9 Asian-Pacific Islander /
1 Latino- Hispanic / 1 American Indian-Alaska Native
• Age range: 9 – 87 years
Average age 49 years / Median age 54 years
• Languages spoken:
English / German / French / Spanish / Chinese / Somali / Swahili
Qualities Participants’ Identified as the Perfect Welcoming
Community
Housing
Participants expressed that ideal housing should be safe, clean, quiet,
affordable to rent or buy, with available community gathering spaces.
Community
Participants’ comments regarding the ideal community included:
• Feeling welcome, with people reaching out especially to newcomers
• Being invited to participate and contribute in the community
• Identifying themselves with those in positions of authority
• Having easy (multilingual) access to resources such as food, banks,
medical care, libraries, schools, child care
• Having a diverse community
• Being accepting of diversity and different religious faiths
• Providing resources to support and encourage multicultural and
economic diversity
• Having good signage in the community in the variety of languages
spoken by residents
• Having advocacy groups to support legal aid and medical care needs
• Being respected
Education
Participants’ comments regarding ideal education included:
• Children being able to attend strong schools in their neighborhoods
• Residents of Edina having open enrollment for children in Edina
Public Schools
• Providing workshops on housing, work and education in schools
Safety
Participants’ comments regarding an ideal safe community included:
• Feeling safe in home and neighborhood
• Having friendly police officers
• Having crime free or low crime neighborhoods
• Having freedom from bullying
Mobility
Participants’ comments regarding ideal mobility included:
• Having bountiful public transportation that connects people to places
they want to go
• Having safe sidewalks that make neighborhoods easy to navigate
• Having well maintained streets
• Having walking and biking trails
• Having access to “nice ride” bikes in the neighborhood
Conversations Feedback
Participants shared experiences and provided feedback on areas that could
be improved.
Participants expressed the following:
With Regard to Housing
• There is not easy access to housing that is affordable to rent or own.
• In our neighborhood, we experience noise and vandalism.
• There are not adequate spaces for children to play, especially in bad
weather.
• There are no community gathering spaces that afford easy gathering
of informal groups.
• Sometimes it seems like Edina wants to get rid of affordable housing.
With Regard to the Community
• Edina feels like a close knit and superior group that doesn’t let others
in.
• Residents who are not citizens feel like they have no voice in Edina.
• My language and culture make me feel like there are barriers to
participating.
• Sometimes the city is not responsive to citizen issues.
• Not all public and private facilities are fully accessible for those with
disabilities.
• The City of Edina and the Edina Public Schools tax, and spend,
wisely.
• We like the increasing food diversity.
• There is no art from my culture in the Edina art events or fairs.
• Where is the Edina Department of Social Services?
• Edina City Magazine and About Town don’t reflect the diversity of
Edina.
• Politician outreach is good.
• I’ve heard people call my neighborhood “the ghetto of Edina.”
• When families in our neighborhood need help with food or clothing we
go to other communities - there don’t seem to be helping resources in
Edina.
• There seems to be a stigma for seeking helping resources in Edina.
• It’s lonely here - I feel like I live on an island.
With Regard to Education
• We like that the school bus drivers are all employees of Edina Public
Schools.
• We can’t always easily afford the extra costs of transportation,
computers, internet, uniforms, equipment, etc. for required or
extracurricular activities in Edina Public Schools.
• Sometimes it seems like we are “priced out of fitting in”.
• The City of Edina needs to partner more with Edina Public Schools to
learn more about cultural outreach and diversity initiatives.
• Our kids did not win the lottery to attend Edina Public Schools- then
the private schools convenient to us said our kids were “not a good
fit” for their programs.
• Our kids are bullied at school for being from Edina.
• Edina Public Schools treats kids with disabilities very well.
• The staff is not very diverse in Edina Public Schools.
With Regard to Safety
• Police have a positive relationship through events like the parade.
• Our neighborhood experiences vandalism.
• Our kids are bullied by kids from a nearby apartment building.
• It seems like Edina police harass me with frequent traffic stops (I’m
black).
• Edina police don’t seem to understand the rules for international
drivers’ license holders - the police say “tell it to the judge” and when
we do, the citation is dismissed. This is an expensive inconvenience
for me to take time off of work and appear in court.
• Edina police need more diversity training.
• We are black and we are stopped several times each year by Edina
police officers and they don’t tell us of a violation but ask “What are
you doing here?” or “Where are you going?” If I ask why I was
stopped, the officer appears to look around trying to find a reason for
the arbitrary traffic stop.
• Our friends from another suburb, who are black, experience arbitrary
traffic stops on about one of ten of their visits to Edina.
• My children, who are black, have been stopped by police while
walking on the sidewalks in our neighborhood.
With Regard to Mobility
• There is no convenient public transit in our neighborhood.
• Schedules and routes are not convenient for us.
• Bus schedules are hard to understand.
• Some pedestrian crossings on France Avenue are still problematic.
• We need more access to transit to get to and from education, work,
public and retail services.
• Would Uber type system work in Edina?
• Maybe the MTC and the Edina Public Schools buses should operate
a single public transit system in Edina to saturate the city.
• In most areas of Edina there is adequate parking.
• Bus stops in Edina in the winter are atrocious.
Conclusions
Overall, the Working Group finds the Community Conversations initiative a
success. The sizable participant turnout produced significant feedback that
could help us in making Edina a more welcoming community. Participants
ranged in age and ethnic background, spoke multiple languages, were
relatively balanced by gender, and lived in a wide variety of neighborhoods
in Edina. Participants shared their experiences in five major facets of Edina
life – with regard to housing, education, safety, mobility and community life
itself, and in doing so, identified areas that could be improved.
Some findings highlight concerns already shared by members of the
Human Rights and Relations Commission, and other data collected serve
to shed light on new areas of concern that could help to further improve the
quality of life for Edina residents. The Working Group herby concludes its
work and turns over its findings for the Commission’s consideration.
Acknowledgements
The Advocates for Human Rights, represented primarily by Madeline
Lohman, supplied training and encouragement while commission member
Arnie Bigbee recruited volunteers, many of whom became instrumental in
the completion of the Conversations. Commissioner Bigbee served as
Chair of the Working Group, and continued in his dedication to see the
Conversations completed as a community volunteer. It is important to
acknowledge the support of and contribution to this activity by the members
of the Edina City Council, the City Manager and the support staff in several
City departments. Members of the Commission also made substantial
contributions to the Conversations in 2015 including Chair Patrice
Arseneault, member Jasna Burza, and student commissioners Caitlin
Kearney and Sidharth Ramesh.
Community volunteers included: Maggie Goetze, Charlie Goldstein, Mary
Kost, Sallie Lewis, Katie Oberle, Melvin Ogurak, Leonard Snyder, Chris
Bremer, Judith Rodgers, Katie Meehan and Sidharth Ramesh, who began
as a community member and continued working on the project as a student
commissioner. All were generous in volunteering their time. A special
thanks is owed to community volunteer Katie Meehan, who was
extraordinary with the insight, energy and commitment she brought to the
Conversations process planning and execution.
And finally, it is important to acknowledge the leadership and support of the
Edina Public Schools. Superintendent Ric Dressen along with Mary
Manderfeld led several of their staff who specialize in diversity and
multicultural initiatives to participate in the Conversations.
Date: January 26, 2016 Agenda Item #: VI.C.
To:Human Rights and Relations Commission Item Type:
Report and Recommendation
From:MJ Lamon, Project Coordinator
Item Activity:
Subject:Resident Request Discussion
CITY OF EDINA
4801 West 50th Street
Edina, MN 55424
www.edinamn.gov
ACTION REQUESTED:
INTRODUCTION:
City Staff was contacted by a Resident of an Edina apartment building who participated in a Community
Conversations event. The Resident inquired whether the HRRC can assist in leading a conversation to strengthen
relationships among diverse neighbors in her apartment building.
Date: January 26, 2016 Agenda Item #: VII.A.
To:Human Rights and Relations Commission Item Type:
Correspondence
From:MJ Lamon, Project Coordinator
Item Activity:
Subject:Correspondence Information
CITY OF EDINA
4801 West 50th Street
Edina, MN 55424
www.edinamn.gov
ACTION REQUESTED:
None.
INTRODUCTION:
Correspondence for the HRRC received since the last regular HRRC meeting.
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Correspondence
12-6-15
Editorial Pages
Star Tribune
425 Portland Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55480
/
Dear Friend
With best Wishes,
Sanford Berme
4400 Morningside
Edina, MN 55416
952 925-573
If th tar Trib hasnity
as news term please cans
ww d be an ajzburate and m
t decided to avoid "illegol
er doing so. "Undocumented iM
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grants"
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or of ordis
An Encyclopedic
Dictionary of Ethnic Bias
in the United States
Philip H. Herbst
INTERCULTURAL PRESS INC.
alligator
alien, illegal alien. An alien is a person vis-
iting or residing in a nation of which he
or she is not a citizen. This term has ap-
plications in U.S. law as a reference to
immigrants, immigrant workers, foreign
students or scholars, or any noncitizens.
Yet, the term is open to bias, its conno-
tation of strangeness and foreignness
causing offense. In American history,
foreigfiers, especially a large influx of
them, have commonly been stereotyped
as threats to the social fabric, dangers to
the nation's economic well-being, and
trouble for the government. They are
faceless (often viewed as detached from
the rest of the society) and seemingly
clannish (attached to their own culture).
A. M. Rosenthal captured the bias of
alien. At the age of seventeen, he dis-
covered that his father, an escapee of
Czarist Russia, had died before becom-
ing a U.S. citizen, leaving the boy a for-
eigner having to carry an alien registra-
tion card. "Ever since, I have detested
the word 'alien.' It should be saved for
creatures that jump out of bellies in
films. Immigrant is a better word, his-
torically proud" (New York Times, 9 Feb-
ruary 1993, A15).
Illegal alien also occurs in legal dis-
cussion, but may be regarded as even
more offensive than alien. Elie Wiese!,
once asked what he thought of the term,
said that he had never met a human be-
ing who was illegal. Owing to com-
monly unjustified assumptions about the
illegality of the status of an immigrant
without papers—it is only a minor of-
fense to cross the border without them—
the term is often put inside quotation
marks. The irony communicated, how-
ever, may be used in turn to dismiss ille-
gal immigration as a legitimate issue.
Many presses have replaced illegal
alien with undocumented worker, un-
documented resident, or simply undocu-
mented (used as a noun), and sometimes
collectively, undocumented workforce—
terms that emerged in government bu-
reaucracy as the number of immigrants
in the United States without visas
swelled into the millions. Undocumented
worker, originally designating Mexicans
who crossed the Rio Grande without
papers, now designates persons of any
nationality entering the United States
without visas. Safire (1994) notes, how-
ever, that because a visitor whose visa
runs out while in the United States is not
truly "undocumented," and because
those who are not aliens are not required
to have documents, the Immigration and
Naturalization Service has reluctantly
returned to using illegal alien. The Los
Angeles Times Style and Usage Guide
(1995) allows the use of illegal immi-
grant, preferring it to illegal alien.
Hidden immigrants (i.e., those who
labor invisibly in an underground
economy, often exploited by their em-
ployers who do not acknowledge their
rights) and immigrant workers are re-
lated usages. Sin papeles, "without pa-
pers," may be appropriate for a Span-
ish-speaking audience.
Among other related terms are resi-
dent alien, referring to someone allowed
permanent residence by a nation in
which he or she is not a citizen, and en-
emy alien. The "enemy alien" category
in the United States was created by the
Alien Registration Act of 1940. Enemy
aliens are persons living in U.S. terri-
tory who by nationality are associated
with a country considered by the United
States to be belligerent. After the United
States declared war on Japan in 1941,
for example, this law identified Japanese
living in the United States and, ironi-
cally, their enemies, Koreans, as enemy
aliens.
See also FOREIGNER, IMMIGRANT, MEN-
ACE, OTHER.
alligator. A white person who listens to jazz
but does not play it; also, a white jazz
musician. This term, possibly coined by
jazzman Louis Armstrong to "describe
white musicians who stole ('followed')
the ideas of black players" (Major 1994),
was popular among black musicians,
especially in New Orleans, during the
earlier part of this century. It can, in some
instances, be disparaging, though it may
not be perceived as such by white people.
The rhyming phrase "See you later, alli-
gator" (first recorded as the title of a song
by R. C. Guidry in 1957) is said to de-
rive from this usage (Dictionary of
American Regional English, [1985]).
Gator and gate are shortened forms.
The alligator as a representation of a
nemesis of black people dates to at least
the early nineteenth century. According
to Turner (1994, 32), chronicles of Davy
Crockett dating to the 1830s claim that
the folk hero boasted that he was "half
horse, half alligator, a little touched with
snapping turtle" and was therefore ca-
pable of "swallowing a nigger whole if
you butter his head and pin his ears
back." Just before the Democratic Na-
.1
a guide to fair and accurate language
Rosalie Maggio
ORM PRESS
1997
$240,
mater
have it
suspig
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consid
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therm
legal
total
come tiji
impaired m
humon
tend to
the adj
visual i
"conditi
Book of
hearingl
hearing'
handica
impersonal°
impotent us
someon
childre
is not di
impregnal4
specifici!
its me
safe, sec
able, all
impregnate
permeat
generate,.
impresario
"impres
coordina
inamorata/in
one is in 1
terms are:
I'll be a monkey's uncle
I'll be a monkey's uncle See uncle, I'll be a monkey's.
illegal alien undocumented worker/resident/immigrant/migrant/newcomer
Most undocumented immigrants do not come to the U.S. by crossing a
border illegally; 6 out of 10 enter legally—with student, tourist, or
business visas—and become "illegal" by remaining here after their visas
expire. The objection to illegal" is that it applies to acts, not persons;
"illegal immigration," might be the correct term in some cases. The
objection to "alien" arises from its connotations of "strangeness" and
"creature from outer space." Undocumented immigrants are not eligible
for public assistance except emergency medical care and nutrition
programs, but most do not use these programs because they fear detection
by the Immigration and Naturalization Service. See also immigrant,
wetback.
illegitimate/illegitimate child no human being is "illegitimate"; except for
narrow legal uses, avoid these terms. Question the need to mention the
circumstances of a person's birth; they are most often irrelevant. When
necessary, use child of unmarried parents. Pejoratively labeling children
is unhelpful in a situation with far-reaching social implications, and is
sexist insofar as it is the mothers who, along with their children, usually
suffer community disfavor and severe economic penalties.
illiterate "It is good to be able to read and write. It is good to have a culture
that values literacy. It is also good to have cultures that value oral tradi-
tion, which is what some people have instead of written traditions. It is a
more immediate and personal form of communication and transmission
of culture, and it is just as 'good' and 'smart' as a literate culture. It does
not denote 'backwardness.' It is simply indicative of a world-view that
differs from that of the 20th century European" (Amoja Three Rivers,
Cultural Etiquette). In discussing cultures with other communication
traditions, describe those traditions factually or consider using
nonliterate. See also culturally deprived/disadvantaged, primitive, savage.
imam this Muslim cleric is always a man.
I'm a monkey's uncle See uncle, I'll be a monkey's.
immigrant this term is sometimes used positively and sometimes negatively:
surveys of U.S. public opinion as far back as the turn of the century show
that earlier waves of immigrants were congidered valuable citizens, but
that the current wave is somehow "less desirable." Especially in today's
climate of economic and social concerns, people are buying the inaccu-
rate rhetoric from well-funded anti-immigrant groups that fuels the public
perception that the foreign-born are flooding across U.S. borders and
onto U.S. shores, draining welfare dollars, burdening public services, and
taking jobs from citizens. Creditable studies to the contrary receive little
attention. A Business Week editorial pointed out that immigrants earn
204
Why Drop the I-Word?
Here are the top 3 reasons to eradicate this
hateful term:
Reason #1 It's dehumanizing.
The i-word is shorthand for other harmful racially charged terms that dehumanize people. The
i-word promotes violence and discrimination. It sends the message that immigrants are sub-
human and undeserving.
Reason #2 It's racist.
Use of the i-word affects attitudes toward immigrants and non-immigrants alike, most often
toward people of African, Asian, and Latin American descent. The discriminatory message is not
explicit but hidden, or racially coded.
Reason #3 It's inaccurate legally and confuses the debate.
Immigration judges and attorneys don't use the i-word. Journalists who treat all transgressions
as "alleged," - a tenet of ethical and professional journalism, don't use it either. The i-word finds
many people guilty before they are tried and ignores the fact that our laws are unjustly applied.
Immigrants without documents are regularly hired as cheap, exploited labor with a limited abil-
ity to protect their own rights. No one else who benefits from the set up, including the employ-
ers who recruit and hire these migrants, is labeled this way
The i-word is used to unfairly label and scapegoat people who are out of status due to a variety
of systemic circumstances. For example, many people:
• Are brought to the country against their will or by employers who often exploit them
for cheap labor.
• Fall out of status and overstay their VISAS because of school or employment.
• Risk being killed in their country of origin due to political or religious beliefs or
sexual orientation.
• Are affected by natural disasters and/or other reasons beyond their control.
Are forced by economics and harmful policies like NAFTA to leave their country to simply
provide for their families.
DROP THE r-WORD • WHY DROP THE I-WORD • 1
• Are on a backlog waiting years to get processed, even when they are eligible to get papers
through a relative. Reason.org illustrates this well with a chart of "Our Nation's Broken
Immigration and Naturalization System."
Linking immigrants to language like "illegals" (the i-word) is dehumanizing, racist, confuses
the immigration debate and it's just not legally accurate. This anti-immigrant strategy has been
moved into the media by a web of people and orgamLations committed to halting and derailing
reasoned, informed debate and policy on immigration.
John Tanton, the founding father of America's modern anti-immigration movement, helped
spawn a host of organizations like the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR),
Center for Immigration Studies and Numbers USA which leverage hate language against im-
migrants to promote fear and encourage division, they are often quoted by mainstream media
outlets.
Back in 2005, political strategist Frank Luntz issued a language memo to Republicans to guide
how they framed immigration. "Illegals" is shorthand for "illegal immigrants," the preferred
term used to describe undocumented immigrants in his memo. It is no wonder that with clear
direction to use "illegal immigrant," the shorthand slur has become just as common among
media pundits and political campaigns.
In addition pollsters like Stan Greenberg, Celinda Lake and Guy Molyneaux, engaged by
beltway organization. Center for American Progress and America's Voice, recommended that
democrats adopt tougher language on immigration to engage more voters and create bipar-
tisanship to achieve immigration reform. At this time political consultant Drew Westen, also
recommended that democrats use the i-word to be more effective. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY.)
became one of the biggest cheerleaders for use of the term.
DROP THE I-WORD • WHY DROP THE 1-WORD • 2
Historical Background
and Legal Implications of
the Term "illegal"
The i-word is part of a long-term political
strategy to criminalize immigrants.
The i-word is not neutral. It is racially charged and has been promoted by
restrictionist advocacy organizations like Numbers USA' and the Federation
for American Immigration Reform (FAIR),2 founded by eugenicist John Tantore.
Frank Luntz, a Republican Party strategist, recommended operatives promote
use of the term "illegal immigrants" in a 2005 memo', explaining that it would
encourage an understanding of immigrants as criminals and create politically
useful division among voters. With clear direction to use "illegal immigrant,"
the shorthand slur has become just as common among media pundits and
political campaigns.
While the i-word was originally used and championed by restrictionists, it's also
now used by Republicans and Democrats alike, as well as by some advocates of
comprehensive immigration reform.
Pollsters' like Stan Greenberg, Celinda Lake and Guy Molyneaux, engaged by
liberal advocacy groups, have recommended that Democrats also adopt tougher
language on immigration in order to engage more voters on the topic of
immigration reform.
Political consultant Drew Westen has also recommended that Democrats use
the i-word to be more effective. Whatever political strategists on either side of
the immigration debate believe, it is not the role of journalists to embrace their
DROP THE I-WORD • HISTORICAL BACKGROUND & LEGAL IMPUCATIONS
talking points. The term remains inaccurate, politically loaded and dehumaniz-
ing to the people it describes.
The i-word is legally inaccurate.'
"Illegal alien" and "illegal immigrant" are incoherent terms from the standpoint
of immigration law.
Immigration judges and ICE attorneys don't use the terms because
they are meaningless in the context of immigration proceedings.
The Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), the highest administrative
body for interpreting and applying immigration laws, does not use
them either.
Use of the i-word denies due process.
• Ethical journalism includes respect for due process. It's accepted practice
to use the words "accused, "purported," or "alleged" before a case is resolved
legally.
In covering immigration we respect due process and a person's constitutional
rights. The San Antonio Express News' and the Miami Herald' have cited this
fact as one reason they don't use the i-word.
1 http://www.numbersusa.com/content/
2 http://www.fairus.org/site/PageServer
3 Center for New Community: The John Tanton Network and the Anti-Immigrant
Movement in America http://www.newcomm.org/content/view/2131/108/
4 Luntz, Maslansky Strategic Research. "Respect for the Law and Economic Fairness: Illegal
Immigration Prevention." October, 2005. http://bit.ly/cH62eg
5 Carrie Budoff Brown. Politico.com. Dems' tough new immigration pitch. 6/10/10
http://politi.co/bxEaxR
6 Dave Bennion. "'Illegal Immigrant'Is the Real Euphemism." July 02, 2009. http://bit.ly/eJpxNR
7 The San Antonio Express News2 2 Bob Richter. Express-News. 'A policy change on illegal im-
migration terminology" July 4, 2010 http://bit.ly/jUEy2B
8 LatinaLista. The Associated Press' continued sanction of offensive term to Latinos underscores
disconnect with Hispanic readers. November 2010. http://bit.ly/aKdx64
DROP THE I-WORD • HISTORICAL BACKGROUND & LEGAL IMPLICATIONS
Journalist Stylebook
Reference Guide
Offensive Terms To Avoid
Offensive: "illegal immigrant," "illegal alien," and the shorthand i-word used as
a noun,"illegals" are inaccurate by legal and journalistic standards.
Use instead: "unauthorized immigrant," "undocumented Immigrant," or "im-
migrant without papers." It is acceptable to use migrant or foreign national;
when possible use a specific reference to nationality (e.g. Briton, Cambodian,
Canadian, Jamaican, Mexican, Pakistani).
Offensive: "anchor baby"
Use instead: "citizen child of undocumented immigrants."
Offensive: "illegal worker"
Use Instead: "undocumented worker"
Offensive: "undocumented alien"
Use Instead: "undocumented immigrant"or "immigrants entering without
inspection," "immigrant seeking status." Use accurate and nuanced descriptors
that are specific to the stories of the people you are writing about.
Colorlines Stylebook:
Colorlines.com adheres to professional and ethical journalistic standards when
covering immigration. Institutions that are dropping the i-word can also use
this guide to cover immigration fairly. This guide outlines why Colorlines.com
writers don't use the i-word, "illegals," in any form to describe people. We use
terms that are both accurate and avoid racially and politically charged labels
when reporting about immigrants without proper immigration documentation.
People residing in the U.S. without a visa can include those who overstay, fall
DROP THE I-WORD • JOURNALIST STYLEBOOK & REFERENCE GUIDE
out of status, or enter the country without inspection - there is no one word
that can describe all types of situations. Importantly, visa violations are civil
rather than criminal infractions and residents charged with them are processed
through administrative rather than criminal courts.
Use language that is professional and responsible.
• The terms "illegal immigrant" and "illegal alien" are inaccurate by legal and
journalistic standards.
• The shorthand i-word used as a noun, "illegals," is also problematic
grammatically and, like the other related terms, is dehumanizing and
racially charged.
• As writers and editors, we know that our words matter deeply and, thus, we
choose them carefully. We don't use the term out of respect for our craft and
the human dignity of the people we report about.
• It's accepted practice to use the words "accused, "purported," or "alleged"
before a case is resolved legally. In covering immigration we respect due
process and a person's constitutional rights.
DROP THE I-WORD • JOURNALIST STYLEBOOK & REFERENCE GUIDE
Other Stylebook Guidelines
illegal immigration Entering or residing in a country in violation of civil or
criminal law. Except in direct quotes essential to the story use illegal only to
refer to an action, not a person: illegal immigration, but not illegal immigrant.
Acceptable variations include living inor entering a country illegally or without
legal permission.
• Except in direct quotations, do not use the terms illegal alien, an illegal, illegals
or undocumented.
Do not describe people as violating immigration laws without attribution.
Specify wherever possible how someone entered the country illegally and from
where. Crossed the border? Overstayed a visa? What nationality?
People who were brought into the country as children should not be described
as having immigrated illegally. For people granted a temporary right to remain
in the U.S. under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, use tem-
porary resident status, with details on the program lower in the story.
illegal immigration In covering both individuals and groups, the goal is to
provide relevance and context and to avoid labels. Use the term "illegal immigra-
tion" to describe the phenomenon of entering or residing in a country in viola-
tion of the law Avoid using "illegal immigrant" or "undocumented immigrant"
to describe individuals except when necessary in direct quotations.
Other guidelines for usage:
Do not specify a person's immigration status unless it is relevant to the story
Immigration laws are complex. Do not state as a fact that someone has violated
the law without sufficient attribution.
DROP THE I-WORD • OTHER STYLEBOOK GUIDELINES
Be specific whenever possible in describing an individual's status:
• "Authorities said he crossed the border illegally:"
• "She entered the country to attend college but overstayed her student visa."
• "He was brought here as a child by his parents, who entered the U.S. without
a visa."
This guidance applies to groups as well:
"The federal government estimates that B. million immigrants have entered the
country illegally or overstayed their visas."
Do not use "illegal alien," "an illegal" or "illegals" except in rare cases in direct
quotes; they should not be used in headlines or other display type.
DROP THE I-WORD • OTHER STYLEBOOK GUIDELINES
11111 SECTION 2•
Racial Justice Interventions and Initia yes
CASE STUDY: Race Forward—Drop the I-Word Campaign
PROFILE: Migration is Beautiful Initiative
CASE STUDY: COIOr of Change
PROFILE: Fruit vale Station Film
PROFILE: Campaign to End the Schoolhouse-to-Jailhouse track
CASE
STUDY
RACE FORWARD—DROP THE I-WORD CAMPAIGN
In 2008, an Ecuadoran immigrant Marcelo Lucero was fatally stabbed by a
high school student in Patchogue, a small suburb of New York City. His killer
was a young white man who, along with six friends, made a sport of violence
against Mexicans and homeless people. During their trials, a witness testified
that among the many epithets they hurled at Lucero was "f illegal." Luc-
ero's murder represented the most extreme usage of a word that has become
the bane of not just immigrant lives, but those of other people of color who
might be mistaken for being in the United States without permission. By the
late 2000'S, the I-word, relentlessly pushed by immigration restrictionists, had
become ubiquitous and normalized, despite ongoing debate about its accuracy
and neutrality.
Two years later in the fall of 2010, Race Forward (at the time still known as the
Applied Research Center) and Colorlines launched the Drop the I-Word cam-
paign to reframe the immigration policy debate, focusing on immigration as a
matter of human dignity rather than solely one of law and order. Working with
partners to run an inside-outside strategy to change the editorial policies of me-
dia outlets, the campaign ultimately got the Associated Press (AP) to take "illegal
immigrant" out of its stylebook in April 2013. USA Today, the Los Angeles Times,
The Denver Post and other outlets joined the AP within a month.
The campaign succeeded by 1) elevating the voices of undocumented immi-
grants and their loved ones who wanted the change, 2) generating debate about
the word in journalistic circles, and 3) pressuring outlets to make the change.
The timing of the campaign coincided with political, cultural, and artistic activ-
ity led by young undocumented people, many of who identified as "Dreamers"
(those who would be eligible for relief under proposed DREAM Act) and other
immigrants that simultaneously popularized the word "undocumented" and
rejected the media's use of the I-word.
Focusing on
immigration
as a matter of
human dignity
rather than
solely one of
law and order.
RaceForward I 2014 Moving the Race Conversation Forward 4
THE PROBLEM
By 2009, Congress had debated five different CIR proposals in as many years;
each bill had more enforcement and less improvement than the previous. There
have been some advances through Executive Order, like the one that set up
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, which provides some relief to undocu-
mented young people. In general, however, the intense implementation of cur-
rent law has led to the Obama Administration deporting nearly 2 million people
to date, the largest number under any single president.
During this time, the use of the i-word exemplified problematic discourse
practices: condemning through coded language, silencing history, and empha-
sizing intent rather than impact. First, the i-word itself is a race code, almost
exclusively evoking images of Latinos. Second, people argued that the i-word
was racially neutral and legally accurate, which is a distortion of the historical
context in which the term has been used. Lastly, users said that because they
didn't intend to discriminate by using the word, they could ignore its impact.
The i-word narrowed the immigration policy debate so that law and order
became the only legitimate frame 0 on immigration policy. In a 2004 memo,
Republican communications expert Frank Luntz wrote:
1. Always differentiate LEGAL from illegal immigration.
2. Always refer to people crossing the border illegally as
"illegal immigrants" — NOT as "illegals."
3. Always focus on those who are hurt most by illegal immigration—
American citizens and immigrants who came here legally and
played by the rules.
Immigration restrictionists led the charge to make this the only language used
to describe out-of-status immigrants in order to justify excessively punitive
deportation and security policies. Roberto Lovato, who worked as a strategist on
Drop the i-word, said, "Violence in policy would not have been possible without
verbal violence, psychological violence, and actual physical violence. All that
dehumanizes the target of the policy so the policy can get traction." The word's
ubiquity narrowed the debate on immigration by marginalizing all non-legal di-
mensions like family, survival, war, or work to make room only for punishment.
Luntz's prohibition on the noun (as in "illegals") assumed grammatical preci-
sion among Americans, which fell away immediately as politicians, radio
commentators, and everyday people routinely called people "illegals." In an
editorial for The New York Times, which has ironically refused to drop the i-word,
Lawrence Downes wrote in 2007 that, "America has a big problem with illegal
immigration, but a big part of it stems from the word 'illegal.' It pollutes the de-
bate. It blocks solutions...Used as an irreducible modifier for a large and largely
decent group of people, it is badly damaging. And as a code word for racial and
ethnic hatred, it is detestable."
Rising usage of the i-word correlates with rising violence. The Southern Poverty
Law Center reported, using FBI data, that hate crimes against Latinos rose by
almost 40% between 2003 and 2006, the latest year for which statistics were
available when the campaign started.
The word's
ubiquity
narrowed the
debate on
immigration by
marginalizing
all non-legal
dimensions like
family, survival,
war, or work to
make room only
for punishment.
RaceForward 2014 Moving the Race Conversation Forward 5
For all these reasons, many immigrants themselves, their loved ones and advo-
cates detested the i-word and refused to use it. But that made little difference
when the opposite was true virtually everywhere else. This word that was rap-
idly becoming a dehumanizing slur applied only to brown skinned immigrants
became widely accepted by liberals and conservatives alike as the only way to
refer to people without papers.
Likewise, the typical narrative arc of stories on immigration used the word,
and in doing so, established the law-and-order frame even when it aimed for a
sympathetic perspective on the immigrants in question. For example, in 2010
NPR reported a story with the headline, "Illegal Immigrant Deaths Set Record
In Arizona," and New York Times reporter Julia Preston uses the term 10 times in
the article "Births to Illegal Immigrants Are Studied."
The i-word was so common that psychologist Drew Westen advised pro-immi-
grant advocates to use it early in conversations, especially with white voters.
If advocates said something else, like undocumented, listeners thought the
speaker was hiding the true nature of immigrant crime.
But there has been a long history of resistance to the word. The Carter Adminis-
tration made a point of not using it. Professor and activist Elie Wiesel gave the
"No Human Being Is Illegal" slogan to the Sanctuary movement in the 198 OS
and, while it was popularized in the migrant justice world, the quote did not
reach much further. By 1994, the National Hispanic Journalists Association had
passed a resolution against the noun, which was repeated by the associations of
journalists of color. In 2009, the National Alliance of Latino and Caribbean Com-
munities launched the "Somos: We Are" campaign to get outlets to drop the
word; their call on the Boston Globe was unsuccessful. Whether from the inside
or the outside, these efforts were too isolated to successfully change the terms
of national debate.
THE INTERVENTION
To succeed, the Drop the I-Word campaign had to do four things. First, it had to
build the constituency of people outside of newsrooms, especially immigrants
of color, working against the word. Second, it consolidated the inside and
outside strategies by unifying them in a web-based hub. Third, the campaign
had to generate debate among journalists. And, finally, apply pressure from
colleagues and consumers on targeted outlets. These activities were greatly
bolstered by artistic and cultural interventions, as well as organizing, by the
immigrant-rights movement, which helped to empower the constituency and
normalize the word "undocumented."
Together, these activities created a counter to each system averse theme. The
campaign itself identified the discriminatory usage of the word (condemning
through coded language), challenged its neutrality (silencing history) and estab-
lished its impact (prioritizing intent over impact).
Activities were
greatly bolstered
by artistic
and cultural
interventions, as
well as organizing,
by the immigrant-
rights movement,
which helped
to empower the
Constituency
and normalize
the word
"undocumented."
RaceForward J 2014 Moving the Race Conversation Forward 6
The campaign launched in September 2010 at Race Forward's biennial Facing
Race conference with a new video and website, the latter constituting the orga-
nization of the "hub." Within 24 hours, the site had been shared 20,000 times on
Facebook. The website included a pledge; posts and stories from undocumented
immigrants; arguments from reporters, linguists, and attorneys; and other
resources for action. Religious and student organizations collected pledges
through educational activities, including the United Methodist Church's Gen-
eral Commission on Racism and the Unitarian Universalist Church. Over time,
the student governments of the University of New Mexico; Pima Community
College in Tucson, Arizona; UCLA; and UC Berkeley would pass resolutions
dropping the i-word.
The site included the "I Am" series, featuring people without papers talking
about who they really are, most emphasizing agency and organizing for change.
The campaign ensured that the stories represented Latinos, Asians, blacks,
whites, Arabs, and Native Americans. Here is one example of a first-person
reflection from the series:
Due to the secret war in Laos during the Vietnam War, my family had
to escape across the Mekong River to Thailand. We were in the refugee
camps for nearly three years when we were granted documents to come
to the U.S. I was eight-and-a-half years old when we arrived in Seattle ... I
am from Laos, but I am an American because I have lived here for most of
my life. Yet, the government doesn't see me as an American... I was consid-
ered a permanent resident for most of my life, up until a while ago when I
lost my status because I missed an immigration hearing.
The website
included a
pledge; posts
and stories from
undocumented
immigrants;
arguments
from reporters,
linguists, and
attorneys; and
other resources
for action.
Nine-year-old Sam uploaded a video about the i-word he had made for a social
studies assignment; comedian Hari Kondabolu modeled better language on
YouTube; and SF Giants manager Bruce Bochy called out Fox radio announcer
Tony Bruno for using "illegal alien" in a tweet.
Dreamers and other undocumented people who were actively organizing to
change policy repeated these stories. The Immigrant Youth Justice League in
Chicago first coined the phrase "undocumented and unafraid," which soon ap-
peared on T-shirts, screen prints, and posters nationwide. Tania Unzueta, who
co-founded the League, said, "The first thing we did in terms of coming out was
to say ['undocumented and unafraid"] at our meetings. And it felt so good to
own the term and be able to say it out loud, that we asked ourselves, 'How do we
bring this feeling to others?' "In 2009, following a petition started by organizer
and law student Prerna Lal on DreamActivist.org, Unzueta and her colleagues
protested a USA Today headline calling one of their friends an "illegal student."
In addition, many organizers like Unzueta and Lal specifically asked reporters
not to label them "illegal."
RaceForward 2014 Moving the Race Conversation Forward 7 I
Immigrant artists reinforced the Drop the I-Word campaign. Much of the art
added humor, beauty, and messages of self-determination. Examples include
Dreamers Adrift and Undocumented and Awkward video series; screen prints
by Favianna Rodriguez and Julio Salgado; and the poetry, video, and visual art
from the Undocubus which carried activists from Arizona to the 2012 Demo-
cratic convention in Charlotte, NC. These cultural interventions helped to
recharacterize immigrants and popularize "undocumented" as an alternative to
"illegal."
The campaign's primary goal was to get the Associated Press to remove "illegal
immigrant" from its stylebook. The AP is considered the standard-bearer on
journalistic style. Getting the change made there would generate a domino ef-
fect on other outlets. Simultaneously, organizations took on local outlets on the
way to the AP victory.
The second strategy was to generate debate about the i-word in journalistic
circles. Outlets were asked to take the pledge on droptheiword.com, and about
30 independent news providers did so right away, as did individuals like sports
writer Dave Zirin and author Junot Diaz.
Debates followed from the Poynter Institute, the Neiman Fellowship, the
Society of Professional Journalists and UNITY, the alliance of associations for
journalists of color. When The New York Times Crossword editor Will Shortz used
"illegal" as the answer to a hint about border crossers, the campaign challenged
him, noting that the crossword has a policy of not using slurs as hints or an-
swers. Shortz apologized, noting that the word was so common he didn't even
think about it. Campaign coordinator Monica Novoa later debated The New York
Times reporter Nina Bernstein on the issue. I-word activists dominated the AP's
2011 Twitter feed with tweets about what should be in their next stylebook.
In September 2011, journalist Jose Antonio Vargas (JAV) gave the keynote speech
to woo reporters, editors and bloggers at the Online News Association, implor-
ing them to drop the i-word. In his New York Times magazine essay coming out
as undocumented in 2010, and in a follow up story for Time Magazine in 2012,
Vargas had argued with editors about the label. Being both a Pulitzer Prize-
winning journalist and an undocumented immigrant, Vargas represented the
inside-outside strategy in one body.
I grew up in newsrooms. I know, first-hand, the power and influence of
journalists and news organizations in framing how issues and people are
viewed. One of my primary goals when "outing" myself as an undocu-
mented journalist was to change —and, frankly, to disrupt — how my col-
leagues viewed the immigration issue and the people who are directly and
indirectly impacted by it. I was very much devoted in getting this done
because it's personal. Language is personal. How I am viewed as a human
being, not as an "illegal" — that's personal. (Interview with JAV)
Cultural
interventions
helped to
recharacterjze
immigrants
and popularize
"undocumented"
as an alternative
to "illegal."
RaceForward 2014 Moving the Race Conversation Forward 8
Later in the campaign, key partners conducted critical research about the
effects of the word. In Spring 2012, the National Hispanic Media Coalition
commissioned a national poll, finding that in discussing those in this country
without permission, the term "illegal alien" evoked much more negative feel-
ings among readers than the term "undocumented immigrants," and that one-
third of Americans thought that all Latinos were, in fact, "illegal immigrants."
Fox News Latino released a poll showing that most Latinos found the i-word
offensive.
In March 2012, the campaign met with the Managing and Style Guide Editors
of the AP, accompanied by Chandra Bhatnagar, a human rights attorney for the
American Civil Liberties Union. Bhatnagar laid out the legal ramifications of
using imprecise language like the i-word, which covers up dozens of potential
status situations, and of making a judgment when the subject had not actually
been adjudicated in court. The editors were not yet ready to change the style-
book, but were open to noting that the word was not universally accepted as
accurate and neutral. The AP also met with campaign partners Vargas and Alex
Nogales from the National Hispanic Media Coalition.
In October 2012, the editors released a stylebook update urging sensitivity
around this difficult topic, noting that sometimes people have a migratory
status that is in limbo, or in "legal dispute," and that even once a court makes
a determination about deportation, there has never been a ruling that finds a
person to be "illegal." But this statement stopped short of recommending the
use of "undocumented" or "unauthorized."
Sometimes people
have a migratory
status that is in
limbo, or in "legal
dispute," and
that even once
a court makes a
determination
about deportation,
there has never
been a ruling that
finds a person to
be "illegal."
The 2012 election cycle generated more momentum, in part by raising Republi-
can voices in favor of changing language. Republican losses in 2012 were often
chalked up to an alienated Latino vote, and conservative handwringing ensued.
The National Hispanic Conference urged Republicans to drop vitriolic terms
such as "illegal immigrant" and "anchor babies." In early 2013, Sen. Rand Paul
said that he thought the i-word was offensive and would not use it. ABC News
released a video criticizing The New York Times for not making the move they had
made long ago. Seventy thousand people signed a Moveon.org petition by Cesar
Chavez's widow Helen protesting The New York Times' usage. A similar petition
by Presente.org generated some 20,000 signatures.
One local example of campaign work is United 4 the Dream (U4TD), a young
peoples' organization hosted by the Latin American Coalition in Charlotte. After
a briefing and strategy session with the national Drop the I-Word team, U4TD
launched a local campaign in May 2011 because undocumented high school
students identified the i-word as a cudgel used to bully and intimidate them.
Within two months, the chair of the Mecklenburg County Commission, signed
the pledge, as did Mike Collins, host of "Charlotte Talks" at the local NPR sta-
tion. U4TD met with local daily newspaper The Charlotte Observer and conducted
a full week of protests in front of the Observer's offices, but paper cited the AP
style guide as evidence that the term was neutral.
RaceForward 2014 Moving the Race Conversation Forward 9 I
Yet, when the paper published a story about the first local baby born in 2012, who
happened to be Latino, hateful comments poured in, replete with references to
"anchor baby" and "illegal." The Observer then published a letter from Jess George,
Executive Director of The Latin American Coalition, asking them to drop the
racially charged term. That letter sparked more hateful comments, and the debate
prompted Creative Loafing Charlotte, the leading alternative weekly publication, to
drop the term. While most of these outlets made their changes privately, U4TD
still saw the needle move over time. "Some of the local TV stations covered the is-
sue and we gained a lot of awareness for it," said Selene Medina, communications
chair. "A couple of stations did not outright drop the term, but we noticed WSOC-
TV Channel 9 started using undocumented more and more. So did Fox local:'
THE OUTCOME
On April 2, 2013, the Associated Press published a blog post entitled "Illegal No
More." The editors would no longer sanction using "illegal immigrant" in the
stylebook, although it would refer to illegal immigration. In part, the decision
was driven by a trend in the organization away from labels to descriptions of a
subject's situation, i.e. a person with schizophrenia rather than a schizophrenic.
Within weeks, the Los Angeles Times, the San Francisco Chronicle, USA Today, The
Denver Post and the Chicago Tribune had followed. On any given day, half the
world's people read an AP story, and the readership of these additional early
adopters numbers more than 6 million.
FIGURE 1: ASSOCIATED PRESS I-WORD USAGE 1995-2013
1995 2000 2005 2010 z ca Ix z a. > 0 4 la a. 4 =WO 0111
The large numbers reflect the more critical impact on the immigration debate.
Although Congress hasn't taken up immigration reform as many hoped it
would in 2013, the discourse on immigration has changed substantially.
No one has felt this shift more than immigrants themselves, especially un-
documented immigrants. The debate over the i-word gave the young leaders of
U4TD a way to broaden the immigration policy discourse. "These words were
preventing us from having a fair conversation about immigration reform,"
Medina said. "Once the big newspapers started dropping the term, the local
outlets started following. It was also so much easier to have the policy conversa-
tions." The impact of the win is more nuanced, more contextual, more personal
coverage of the immigration reform issue and the people directly and indirectly
impacted by it. Changing the language and insisting to be seen as a human be-
ing opens up the conversation and raises the empathy quotient, said Vargas.
RaceForward I 2014 Moving the Race Conversation Forward 10
In the days following the AP decision, Race Forward executive director Rinku
Sen attended a conference of community college students in eastern Washing-
ton. One young man told her, "a lot of my family is undocumented, and it's been
really hard. This helps." Later that Spring, Sen met a young Chinese American
soldier who had been serving in Afghanistan while her mother was in deporta-
tion proceedings in New York City. "It was really awful seeing that word all the
time I was deployed, with my mom in such a scary situation," she said.
Immigration advocates and artists found that the decision bolstered their
refusal to use the i-word. LeeAnn Hall, director of the Alliance for a Just Society,
who has organized for immigration reform in predominantly white states like
Montana and Idaho, was in a communications strategy meeting debating the
i-word on April 2. "Then I got a text saying the AP had dropped it, and I said, OK,
debate's over," she said. The composer Byron Au Yong had been using dropthei-
word.com to educate the entire marketing department of American Conserva-
tory Theater. The theater was presenting his play about a Chinese immigrant
who died in a stalled elevator in New York City with materials calling it "a hip
hop opera about an illegal immigrant." Yong previewed his work two days after
the AP decision with no i-words.
There is more to do. The New York Times has hedged the decision, not dropping
the i-word completely, but adding alternatives to their style guide. The Wash-
ington Post refuses to drop the word or to meet with the campaign. Hugo Balta,
president of the National Hispanic Journalists Association, sees such resistance
as stemming from arrogance. "To still say, using The New York Times as an ex-
ample, 'everybody's wrong and we're right,' that tells me a lot about what type of
news they're producing, more for themselves than for the public. And eventu-
ally, it will be a slow process, but they'll have to come around too."
RaceForward I 2014 Moving the Race Conversation Forward 11
ecom the 9th state to issue an apology for both slavery and
vs American genocide,:
With holida greetings,
rd Berman
4400 Morningside Road
Edina, MN 55416
952 925-5738
Let
12-8-15
Hon, Ron Erhardt/Minnesota House of Representatives
State Office Bldg.
100 Rev, Dr Martin Luther sing Jr Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155-1298
Dear Ron,
A6 • STAR TRIBUNE • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8,2015
Delaware governor says it's not
too late to a i oIogize for slavery
By NIRAJ CHOKSHI
Washington Post
Delaware Gov. JackMarkell
wants his state to formally
apologize for slavery.
"We must publicly and
candidly acknowledge the
lasting damage of past sins
— damage that continues to
reverberate more than 150
years after the abolition of
slavery" Markell said Sunday,
exactly a century and a half
after the ratification of the
13th Amendment to the Con-
stitution that banned slavery
Markell, a Democrat,
threw his support behind a
joint resolution that would
serve as an official apology
and is expected to be submit-
ted early next year.
"The resolution being
introduced today will do
more than write a footnote
into the history books that
describe the atrocious con-
ditions that some Delawar-
eans inflicted upon people
of African descent," Markell
said alongside state legisla-
tors, community advocates
and local parishioners at the
Bethel African Methodist
Episcopal Church in Wilm-
ington.
Delaware would join at
least eight other states in issu-
ing such an apology
Virginia became the first
when its legislature passed
a resolution on Feb. 24, 2007,
acknowledging "with pro-
found regret" the enslave-
ment of Africans and the
exploitation of American
Indians.
"On the occasion of the
400th anniversary of the
settlement at Jamestown, the
General Assembly call upon
the people of the Common-
wealth to express acknowl-
edgment and thanksgiving for
the contributions of Native
Americans and African-
Americans to the Common-
wealth and this nation, and to
the propagation of the ideals
of liberty, justice, and democ-
racy" the resolution read.
Maryland did the same
the next month, followed by
North Carolina that April
and Alabama that June. New
Jersey and Florida approved
official apologies in 2008, fol-
lowed by Tennessee and Con-
necticut the following year.
Markell's Sunday
announcement comes in
response to advocates'
repeated attempts to get him
to issue such a statement.
Harmon Carey, head of the
Afro-American Historical
Society in Wilmington, said
in July that the governor had
ignored two earlier requests
for such an apology, but was
hopeful his third attempt
would get a hearing since it
came after the slaying of nine
black churchgoers at a South
Carolina prayer meeting.
Relatively few Delaware
families owned slaves: In
1860, it ranked 15th among
states by share of slave-own-
ing families relative to all free
households, according to cen-
sus data.
But the nation's first state
was not a free state, and Carey
said last July that a formal
apology would help healing.
"It would say to me that
my government cares enough
about Afiican-Americanpeo-
ple to issue a proclamation,"
he told the newspaper.
State lawmakers in Geor-
gia and Mississippi have
embarked on similar efforts
to seek such apologies.
Both the U.S. House of
Representatives and Senate
separately passed resolu-
tions apologizing for slavery
— in 2008 and 2009 — but
never has one resolution
passed both houses and been
approved by the president.
Joni R. Roberts and Carol A. Drost Internet Reviews
Confronting Suburban Poverty in America.
Access: http://confrontingsuburbanpoverty.
org/.
This website offers an online presence
to the Brookings Institution's book of the
same title, written by Brookings fellows
Elizabeth Kneebone and Alan Berube. The
homepage of Confronting Suburban Poverty
in America has a clean look, which uses
responsive design features that are easy to
navigate and read on desktops or mobile
devices. A menu bar across the top provides
a dropdown option to site "Resources,"
"Newsletter," "Blog," "About," and a search
tool. On the homepage, one can scroll down
to highlighted resources, social media links,
and an explainer video. The deftly produced
short video (1:45) describes the landscape of
suburban poverty, changing perceptions of
poverty, and ideas for combating this growing
problem of suburbia.
The homepage adds a compelling sub-
title—Suburban Poverty Resources: Take
Action and Be a Part of the Solution. The
Take Action subtitle links to the video; data,
including an A to Z list of community profiles;
a short executive summary from the Metro-
politan Policy Program at Brookings; and an
infographic on suburban poverty. This page,
however, does not include the resources
available from the dropdown menu at the
top of the homepage. From this menu, one
also can link to practitioner "Briefs & Case
Studies" documenting suburban areas and
neighborhoods from throughout the country.
Researchers can view FAQs, "Policy Recom-
mendations," "What You Can Do," and read
about six highlighted communities. Informa-
tion on the book also is available from the
Resources dropdown menu and offers the
Joni R. Roberts is associate university librarian for public
services and collection development at Willamette
University, email: jroberts@willamette.edu, and Carol
A. Drost is associate university librarian for technical
services at Willamette University, email: cdrost@
willamette.edu
ability to read the first chapter, complete with
bibliographic materials.
Users may find the site a bit confusing as
information resources are scattered around
the site from different links and pages. Using
the "Sitemap" at the bottom of the homepage
may prove helpful.
The site provides current, relevant infor-
mation, since the 2013 publication of the
book, through its complementary blog posts
and, presumably, the newsletter to which one
must subscribe.
Anyone interested in the causes and solu-
tions to suburban poverty, whether students,
researchers, advocates, or philanthropists,
will find this site of interest. Visitors to the
site can garner basic information on the
topic, or zero in on specific details related
to implications, trends, solutions, or unique
communities. The site is a definite plus for
students seeking a credible online source to
research a pro/con or issues paper on poverty
in America.—Vivian Linderman, Citrus Col-
lege, vlinderman@citruscollege.edu
645 C&RL News December 2015