Chi Beta Beta Calls for Change in Normal |
by Bro. C. Griffis
08/18/2003
Mayor Chris Koos
Town of Normal
100 East Phoenix Avenue
P.O. Box 589
Normal, Illinois 61761-0589
Dear Mayor Koos,
Thank you for meeting with us, regarding the concerns that the
members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated have with the
Town of Normal. We feel that this was a first step to addressing
some very serious issues in our community. While we will continue
to work with MAPP and other entities in the community, as you suggested,
we are looking to you for something more tangible than just committee
meetings. Your assistance with finding us a venue for hosting our
August 28, 2003, commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the March
on Washington is a positive step towards your commitment to the
success of our Partnership.
After our meeting, we feel confident that we have provided enough
verifiable information to demonstrate that our organization has
been misrepresented in the media as being irresponsible in our
management of the aquatics center in previous years. Many misstatements
have been communicated and we, as an organization with a rich history,
would prefer that these items be cleared up immediately. If additional
information is needed on these misstatements please let me know.
In order for us to create a partnership with the Town of Normal,
in good faith, we feel a public statement is necessary from the
Town for it’s mishandling of our organization and this event.
In considering this we ask that you keep in mind that we have been
systematically denied access for two years in a row after previously
being told that our attendance and participation on committees
would alleviate potential problems with our rental request. As
a community service organization we are limited in our ability
to provide service by our ability to fund raise. This event has
been our major means of generating revenue to support our efforts
at providing scholarships for two Bloomington/Normal high school
minority students. By not allowing us to rent the aquatics center,
the Town through its representatives (Ms. Reece, et. al.) has in
effect kept us from reaching our goal to provide two scholarships
for the past two years. It is our belief that any further discussion
of a partnership between Omega and the Town should also include
a commitment from the Town to provide support (financial and otherwise)
towards the development and awarding of scholarships for minority
students (including those opportunities that have been forfeited
due to the Town’s denials).
During our last meeting we spent a great deal of time focusing
on the issues in regard to the Omegas denial of a rental request
to use Fairview aquatic center. However, there were several other
issues we have presented in regard to improving the overall climate
for African-Americans in Normal.
We, as an organization, are very concerned that with the continued
growth and development of the Town of Normal that no initiatives
have been introduced to designate specific facilities after prominent
African-Americans. The haphazard naming procedure that is allowed
for new Town streets illustrates the need for minority input and
consideration. Developers are being allowed to name city streets
after their children and other loved ones. This process virtually
guarantees that minorities will not be reflected in the street
signs due to the lack of minority developers doing business in
the Town of Normal. To this end we request that you work to have
a new process created for naming public facilities which would
allow for a more fair and inclusive means for naming Town streets
and other public works projects. We would further request that
you select a few of the streets already in existence and slate
them for renaming after prominent people of color. This small step
will start the process of ensuring that Normal streets, parks,
and public schools reflect the diversity of the citizenship of
Normal.
An additional area of concern was the lack of minority presence
in the Normal Police department. We would like the Town to work
with National Organization for Blacks in Law Enforcement (NOBLE)
in order to create a recruitment plan with measurable goals and
a realistic timetable. This plan should be used by the city manager
as an additional means for evaluating the Chief of Police. We would
also like to see the creation of a Police Explorers unit specifically
working with minority youth to help educate and encourage them
to seek careers in law enforcement.
The lack of representation does not stop at the police department.
This appears to permeate throughout the entire Town. A strong recruitment
effort within the administration should be used to garner applicants
from the base of African-American residents. A similar approach
should be taken for the Normal Fire Department as well.
During the meeting we did not address the concerns that we have
with the comments that were made by the Assistant Police Chief,
Mr. Kent Crutcher. His statement regarding comfort level with attendees
to the event – “I would have no problem if we have
300 of people like you, its those other people that we have concerns
with” – was insensitive in nature. We have been redirected
that we took this out of context however we find it very hard to
mistake the meaning of these words. We firmly believe that this
is a cultural sensitivity issue and the Town of Normal should not
condone these types of remarks regardless of the situation. We
would propose a cultural sensitivity program be initiated for all
Town employees and associates. This training should be mandatory
and offered on an annual basis.
The process of healing will require some give and take from both
parties. Due to our previous experiences with representatives of
the Town we are unable to trust that things will change for the
better by our attendance and participation on a committee. We’ve
done that and accomplished nothing. Time for change and action
is now. We plan to continue to raise the aforementioned issues
and others that concern people of color. We are asking for a serious
show of good faith and an investment from the Town that would be
more than symbolic in nature. It’s time for the Town to show
its commitment to diversity and inclusion. We look forward to your
response.
Please feel free to contact me with any concerns.
Sincerely,
Charles Griffis
CC: Representative Dan Brady
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