We support Selectboard members David Schoales and Brandie Starr, who first brought up the issue of active recruitment of people of color for town jobs here in Brattleboro at the May 2 Selectboard meeting. We also encourage a broader dialogue to recognize and understand systemic racism and racist push-back in our town.
Our position is best stated by paraphrasing Mr. Schoales, who during the May 2 meeting did a very good job of explaining why concerted effort is necessary to ensure a diverse town workforce.
Justice and diversity will not simply descend upon us if we wait long enough; racial injustice against people of color in this country is so deeply and structurally ingrained that addressing it requires deliberate action by individuals and public institutions.
We should, as Mr. Schoales stated, “purposefully and consciously” seek qualified candidates of color for town offices; it's not about meeting quotas but about casting a wider net to find applicants that represent the diversity of our community.