Recap: “It’s a Problem Here Too: A Conversation About Racism in our Neighborhoods”
By Nehezi Roberts & Stacey Ashlund
On Jan. 31st, PDC hosted a panel discussion about race and racism in our communities. For those that missed it, the 90 minute video is available at: bit.ly/pdc_youtube. Over 200 attendees joined together online for this event.
The program began with emotional stories from members of our community and how they have experienced racism in the past as well as right up to the present day. Some of the examples given were shockingly egregious for some people to hear, as they hadn’t experienced or heard of these detailed personal accounts before.
In the second half of the program, elected and appointed community leaders
addressed ways that they are working to break the cycle of racism, and what more needs to be done in this area, both by elected and appointed officials, and community leaders and community members alike.
We aimed to summarize the salient take-aways for those that missed the event or the video. The summary appears on our website here: bit.ly/PDC-problem-here-too.
In addition, we have compiled numerous resources on the subject of understanding race and racism. These include the resources that were shared during the event, as well as others we compiled in summarizing the take-
aways. These resources, including books, articles, films, podcasts, local groups, and trainings, here: bit.ly/resources-on-race.
We extend our sincerest appreciation to all of the speakers at the event, as well as the audience participants. Thank you to all of our speakers:
Julie Lythcott-Haims (moderator) is an educator and author of three books on parenting, young adulthood, and living as Black and biracial in America. Julie lives in Palo Alto.
Nathasha Mejia is a Palo Alto native and currently resides in Berkeley, CA. Mejia is a Policy Analyst at the National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform in Oakland.
Lucinda Tinsmen is a teacher, an editor, ghost writer, and executive director of classical music organizations. She resides in Menlo Park.
Nehezi Roberts is a clinical social worker and consultant, alumni of University of Chicago, former Associate Professor of English, and currently resides in Menlo Park.
Dr. Terri Givens is a political scientist, former provost at Menlo College, founder and CEO of Brighter Higher Ed, and author of “Radical Empathy: Finding a Path to Bridging Racial Divides.” She resides in Menlo Park.
Ray Mueller (moderator), Menlo Park city councilmember and former mayor. Ray is an environmentalist, is dedicated to diversity and inclusion, and works as an attorney in the Emergency Response and Services sector.
Lisa Gauthier is a councilmember and former mayor of East Palo Alto. She recently worked as the Government Affairs Manager where she supported a community-funded free college initiative, and mom of three young adults.
Davina Hurt is a two-term councilwoman and past mayor of Belmont, an attorney, an environmentalist, and a parent.
Neysa Fligor is a councilmember and Mayor of Los Altos and past board member on the El Camino Healthcare District. She works as Division Counsel at HP.
Rev. Kaloma Smith is a Palo Alto Human Rights commissioner and Reverend at the University AME Zion church.
We recognize the importance of continued followup work to this event to address next steps. If you’re interested in speaking at and/or helping to organize a followup event on this topic, please let us know by emailing us at: pdcoalition@gmail.com.
