January 2021 Community Conversations
Community Conversations: Standing in Solidarity on behalf of our City
by Latiesha D. Handie, Executive Director, LGBTQ Liaison, Hampton Citizens’ Unity Commission
Many could say, both national and local governments alike were impacted by two pandemics in the year 2020, Covid-19, and Racial unrest indeed altered our world's course.
However, such obstacles created Hampton City's opportunity to amplify our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion for residents, employees, and stakeholders.
Hampton convened several community-wide drives and virtual panels to educate and inform the public on coronavirus updates and city operations and ensured the City remained welcoming, supportive, and inclusive during a time of broader racial tensions.
Witnessing groups of citizens protesting in the streets and on the news, holding signs and chanting for change after the murder of George Floyd and several other countless offenses of systemic racism, local and national demonstrations enacted a quest for our government to show support and empathy in the community.
The question now was how? How do we as a city reaffirm our commitment to healthy race relations and provide space and support for residents, community partners, and local government officials to dialogue safely about recent events? How do we take time to educate and reflect while standing together?
Lila Watson, a visual artist, makes the statement that you are wasting your time if you have come here to help me. But if you have come because your liberation is bound with mine, then let us work together.
The position of standing together to restore the goal of unity was our most actionable and familiar field or work.
As an entity of the City of Hampton, the Citizens' Unity Commission is responsible for overseeing and developing programming that brings citizens together, encourages positive interactions between diverse individuals, and promotes the value of respect for difference while learning and growing together.
"Under the direction of the Hampton City Council and Mayor Donnie R. Tuck, the City of Hampton Citizens' Unity Commission convened a discussion forum addressing racial biases and cultural insensitivity, entitled "Standing in solidarity on behalf of our city."
The title conveyed the City's position to stand together, listen, learn, and mutually support our community during a difficult time.
Utilizing the City of Hampton's Facebook page, a total of 5 conversations explored the perception and practices of local policing, law enforcement in communities of color, methods of protest and their effectiveness, and the youth voice's importance to help build Hampton's future with nearly 39k views.
ICMA's tenets of serving the people's best interest, maintaining a deep sense of social responsibility, and improving the quality and image of public service emulated through our efforts.
As we created space for unconventional dialogue, the conversation brought many to the table who traditionally shied away from uncomfortable topics for long term understanding and refined commitments.
Subsequently, the conversation findings led to a review of our processes and systems, youth-led discussions, and an executive management team commitment to develop and maintain a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion collective impact program and statement for city employees and stakeholders.
As we continue to grow from the lessons of challenging and recurring narratives, we refuse to silence the cry for change.
While the discussion series was partially a reaction to national unrest, we took a proactive self-examination to build a more just and inclusive community.
As the Executive Director of the Citizens' Unity Commission, I am committed to taking a stand in solidarity, addressing any acts of inequality and pushing equity forward. For more information or questions please contact me at: latiesha.handie@hampton.gov
If you have suggestions for future article topics, please contact: Cindy Mester, VLGMA President at: cmester@fallschurchva.gov