Combating Institutional Racism and Creating a More Just Community

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Combating Institutional Racism and Creating a More Just Community

The nation and the world have been rocked by the murder of George Floyd, bringing attention to the countless other black Americans and other people of color who have lost their lives due to police brutality and pervasive racial injustice. These issues have been overlooked by too many of us for far too long – whether by willful ignorance, benign neglect, or inhumane indifference, and whether they happen across the country or across the street from our home.

As public institutions and public servants, we have an obligation to lead the way in addressing systemic racism, regardless of our specific job duties and professional responsibilities. Systemic problems may not be obvious to those who are focused on meeting the day-to-day tasks, nor can they be rectified overnight. It will take a concerted effort by all of us to examine our practices, biases (known and unknown), and make lasting changes to ensure the equality and justice that every individual deserves. We won’t always get it right, but we can commit to listen, harness resources to educate ourselves, build on the good practices we currently have, and change those that need improvement.

Our police department already engages in implicit bias training; this training will be extended to the rest of the municipal staff. This is one concrete step we are taking. We are looking for additional resources and partnering with our fellow municipalities to make sure that our region is welcoming and just for all, including any and every one that identifies as BIPOC and LGBTQ.

Winthrop’s police officers also take the Crisis Intervention Training provided by NAMI Maine (National Alliance on Mental Illness) to aid in observation, communication and best possible outcomes for mental health and high stress situations. We fully recognize that this is a growing community need and will be working to address it in a comprehensive manner.

For many of us, the language, the context and concepts that are utilized in combating institutional racism may feel incredibly foreign. The “rules” about who can say what, may seem contradictory and what we intend as positive change and support, may be responded to with push-back. That is part of the process of learning, communicating and shifting the paradigm to a more just and equal society.

Our intent is that this will be a sustainable commitment to constantly evaluate and improve practices across all departments and service areas. This message serves as a starting point, not a solitary note, at this hopefully pivotal point in our collective history. The change we need as a nation begins in our local communities where we know our neighbors and can have honest, respectful, civil dialogue.

Jeffrey Kobrock
Jeff Kobrock
Town Manager