Cobb commissioners will be asked Tuesday to consider a resolution to condemn racism.
Commissioner Lisa Cupid, of South Cobb, and the only black member of the five-member board, admitted on Thursday when she posted the proposed resolution on her Facebook page (see below) that “I have been informed that some think this language is too strong, indicates something of the past, and is not reflective of how people feel today or in all districts of the county.”
“It is imperative that we have our citizens weigh in on this else I fear it could not pass or be worded in such a way that loses its intent and purpose.”
She urged citizens to contact their commissioner and let them know their thoughts.
Cupid said an online meeting she organized on Tuesday, entitled “Cobb Forum: Recent Deaths, Race and Response,” attracted more than 600 people, and she invited a number of elected and law enforcement officials and community leaders to participate.
(You can watch here and listen here.)
The Smyrna and Acworth city councils this week approved similar anti-racism resolutions.
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Cupid, a Democrat who’s running for Cobb Commission Chairman, issued a follow-up message via her campaign e-mail Wednesday night highlighting the discussion, and suggested the following actions:
- Be compassionate and mindful of others
- Recognize the challenges some African Americans may have in just showing up, at work and in your organizations
- Don’t back down from conversations about race and do not ostracize African Americans and others for discussing race and relating race to policy, practices, and outcomes
- Have a conversation or lunch with someone who does not look like you
- Reach out to local and state leaders to pass a resolution to support the Hate Crimes Bill
- Reach out to leaders to pass a resolution denouncing racism or discrimination in your organizations, city and county
- Support local nonprofit organizations and organizations that address issues of equity and race like the Cobb NAACP, Cobb SCLC, and the Georgia Community Coalition
- Send an email or letter to school board members letting them know you support them addressing racial disparities in educational outcomes, teaching staff, and school resources
- Support your African American leaders who are minorities in majority elected bodies
“I think we can only go up from here as I have heard from you and others that this was just a start,” Cupid said.
She is not the sponsor of the proposed resolution, which is listed on the agenda as being an item to be brought by board chairman Mike Boyce and is being presented for consideration by County Manager Jackie McMorris.
Tuesday’s commission meeting begins at 9 a.m. and will be available online only, but citizens are invited to participate in a public comment session via phone at the start of the meeting. You can sign up at this link.
The rest of Tuesday’s meeting agenda can be found here.
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