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1/21/22, 9:02 AM Mail - Agendadesk - Outlook
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Racial Equity Definition; Item 3.5
Ruth Callahan
Thu 1/20/2022 4:42 PM
To: City Clerk <[email protected]>; The Office of Mayor Sam Liccardo <[email protected]>
I have read this declara on and I see a glaring error in the defini on of the segments of the popula on that are protected by this edict What about GENDER! Women make up 53% of the popula on in SJC and we have universally been paid lower wages for our work and higher prices for our services. The pink tax is famous but the more blatant low wages, sexual harassments, lack of advancement compared to our male colleagues of all colors and races is certainly worthy of at least a men on. Don’t you think? Surely Women of all races need just as much a en on to their lack of “thriving” and needs for a “psychology of safe spaces” and a repara ons for the disappointment of our life me “outcomes”. I cant wait to be able to sue all of my SJ employers under our new Equity Defini ons for all my back wages that this edict will en tle me too Don’t for the Ladies If I have submi ed this to the wrong party please forward to those fine and discerning minds who are balancing and repairing the life of all the women who have been paid less for doing more Respec ully,
Ruth A Callahan
Sent from Mail for Windows
January 21, 2022
Dear Mayor and City Council,
Equity is already defined as “the quality of being fair and impartial”.
Racial equity (or racial justice) is “the systematic fair treatment of all people, resulting in fair opportunities and outcomes for everyone. Racial equity is not just the absence of discrimination but also the presence of values and systems that ensure fairness and justice”. I believe it key that the definition includes “all people” rather than the proposed narrow and specific “discrimination and injustices to Black, Indigenous, Latino/a/x, Asian, and Pacific Islander communities”. Equity really should know no race and stand alone as a term that applies to any marginalized community.
I do not understand spending time (i.e. money) on re-defining racial equity. This time and money could be better spent on developing programs that actually address lingering equity issues (improving schools and/or strengthening neighborhood associations, etc.) or other pressing city issues rather than focusing on a definition. Also, some of the terms that were the consensus of the select community members are offensive. Additionally, I do not foresee the city having any actual monies for reparations any time soon so this seems to be a misleading suggestion. In the spirit of the memorandum, the resolution should be inclusive not divisive.
In closing, as I’ve stated before: “It can be a difficult step to move forward from a community formed by the fight for equal rights to a larger community for the benefit of ALL”. We should embrace the progress made and build on it in a positive way.
Thank you,
Tod Williams
Dear Council Members:
RE: Agenda Item Jan 25 agenda: Racial Equity Definition; Item 3.5
After reading the referenced memo (Definition of Racial Equity Date: January 13, 2022, authored by Zulma V. Macie), I have some concerns and items for your consideration.
Summary of Concerns
1. Issues with the definition
In summary, there are numerous concerns with the definition of “racial equity” in the memo.
The memo definition of “racial equity” is
• unclear and in concise
• unmeasurable or subjective outcomes are listed
• it prioritizes one set of residents over other residents • is not inclusive as specific races/ethnicities/groups are not mentioned (i.e., Jews, Arabs, recent immigrants/refugees, women, young men, etc.) • focused on outcomes without clearing providing objective metrics (See discussion of equality versus equity below)
• implies that the City of San Jose policies/practices are at fault for inequalities (which could have financial and legal ramifications for the city and the taxpayers) • focused on unmeasurable items such as “psychologically safe spaces”
2. Issues with obtaining public input
• Only 2 public meetings were held in December to obtain input. This is a month where public input is limited due to holidays.
• Appears to have focused on getting inputs from non-profits and specific groups of residents instead of from the community at large
• Appears to have avoided obtaining opposing or alternate viewpoints • Uses terms in this memo (and probably during meetings) that would limit alternative or opposing viewpoints from being expressed. Thus, not providing a “psychologically safe” place for all community members
For the above reasons, I believe additional work is necessary to develop a definition. The current definition and the work to obtain it is incomplete and/or flawed.
Additional Thoughts
1. Differences Between Equality and Equity
As Vice President Kamala Harris tweeted before the election “There’s a big difference between equality and equity.”
As noted in the
‘Equity’ Is a Mandate to Discriminate “There is a big difference [between equality and equity]. It’s the difference between equal treatment and equal outcomes.
Equality means equal treatment, unbiased competition and impartially judged outcomes.
Equity means equal outcomes, achieved if necessary by unequal treatment, biased competition and preferential judging.”
“Outcome” or “outcomes” is used extensively in the memo – 11 times. It appears to be a main feature of the memo. Is this the main feature, intent, and objective of the Office of Racial Equity to focus on outcomes and justify unequal treatment of residents? Should this be the goal and objective? Is this what the majority of the voters in San Jose would support?
As noted in Reminder: local voters reject expanded affirmative action policies “County voters rejected Proposition 16, an effort to reinstate affirmative action policies on a broad scale. Even though the San Jose City Council unanimously came out in favor of Prop 16, the voters in ... Santa Clara County rejected their advice 52% to 48%.”
Any system or policy that demands equity versus equality and equal opportunity, needs to be fully vetted and the implications understood. Furthermore, some of the expressed and implied outcomes are not within the control of the City of San Jose. Thus, there may be limited actions that can be taken by the City that will affect the outcomes
3. Changing Conditions – White Males in Trouble?
Changes are occurring in our society. And groups that historical were considered “privileged” may be slipping as demonstrated in these articles Do Pro-Women Groups on Campus Discriminate Against Men? and A Generation of Men Give-up On College.
As noted in the second article, “The college gender gap cuts across race, geography and economic background. For the most part, white men—once the predominant group on American campuses—no longer hold a statistical edge in enrollment rates, said Mr.
Mortenson, of the Pell Institute. Enrollment rates for poor and working-class white men are lower than those of young Black, Latino and Asian men from the same economic backgrounds, according to an analysis of census data by the Pell Institute for the Journal.” (Bold and italics added for emphasis.)
So, services and support for members of this community (young white males) may be necessary.
4. Jews & Arabs Excluded?
We have recently seen anti-Semitism in our country. We have also seen evidence of contempt for the Islamic community. But while “faith-based communities” are mentioned in the Analysis section of the memo, there is no specific reference to these specific groups in the definition. These are groups which some also consider to be racial as well as religious. (see: DNA links prove Jews are a ‘race,’ says genetics expert and Are Jews a Race or a Religion?)
Summary
Conditions are changing in our communities. We need to be supportive of all community members. And more support may be necessary in some communities than others. And the communities that need support may change over time. Developing a plan that does not recognize these facts is flawed. A definition that does not recognize these facts is flawed.
Please consider rejecting this definition and memo. Please send this memo back to staff for more community input and to assure that the all communities are considered.
Respectfully submitted,
Sandra A. Delvin, PE
1/25/22, 2:25 PM Mail - Agendadesk - Outlook
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1/25/22, 3:36 PM Mail - Agendadesk - Outlook
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Jeffrey Cristina <
Tue 1/25/2022 3:30 PM
To: City Clerk <
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I've spent 20 years in local business and politics. And one of the biggest lessons I learned is that the clarity of language is tremendously important. We need to work hard so our deals are understood, so our employment contracts are fair, so our laws do what they're supposed to.
Clarity of language is fundamental to the trust that makes the world go round.
So regardless of one's position on this equity definition's politics, one thing is clear: it's a terrible piece of writing. It's vague. It's full of weird buzzwords. It makes outrageous, unproven assumptions. And-- perhaps this is most important--it relies on a hidden accusation of racism to deter any criticism.
In business, this kind of sloppy editorializing would never make it to top management for approval. And yet here we are about to enshrine it in the city code. If you care about honesty in your dealings with our citizens, if you care about excellence in your work product, if you care about accountability in staff work, you really only have one choice:
Send this back to rewrite.
JEFF CRISTINA
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