Published May 10. 2021 4:37PM By
Why are Old Lyme s first selectman and a second member of the Board of Selectmen refusing even to discuss possible links between public health and systemic racism? Why has the International MOMS club decided it prefers to see dozens of local clubs disband, including those in Old Lyme-Old Saybrook and Portland-Middletown, rather than satisfactorily address its decision not to post a collage showing mothers pledging to end racial discrimination?
While there s no doubt that open, candid discussion of racism and the role it s played throughout the history of the U.S. is an uncomfortable topic for many, simply ducking it is not an appropropriate response, will not make it go away and, indeed, is insulting and inflammatory to the many who are doing the right thing and refusing to remain silent about racial injustice.
Old Lyme After 12 years as part of the International MOMS Club, members of one local chapter have decided to cut the cord amid allegations of discrimination directed at its mother organization.
Leaders of the MOMS Club of Old Lyme-Old Saybrook defected earlier this year in order to form the Family Club of the Connecticut River Valley.
Family Club president Jolene Brant, of Old Lyme, said the change was prompted by longstanding discomfort with the MOMS Club s strict focus on stay-at-home mothers only, combined with a more recent dispute over politics and racism.
Brant served as the president of the MOMS Club chapter before spearheading efforts to reorganize as the Family Club. She worked with the other four members of the former MOMS Club executive board to make the transition happen.