As members of the Bainbridge Island Race Equity Advisory Committee we advise tjhe City Council on ways to address racism in our policies, programs and legislation. Community members fought hard for the creation of REAC because they saw a community that valued equity and inclusion, yet their experiences proved we could do better. Thanks to their advocacy, today our city government recognizes that racism has been embedded in our laws and institutions, and that acknowledgment, intention and action are required for change.
At its June meeting, the Bainbridge Island Race Equity Advisory Committee discussed possible content for a future Equity/Diversity Training session for members of the City Council. The discussion was light on specifics. Instead, REAC members hoped the training would provide (1) a “foundation” for understanding institutional racism, (2) a “shared language” to help REAC and the City Council communicate about racism, and (3) a “statement” at the end of the session expressing a “shared value.”