SALEM — The Race Equity Task Force in Salem has published its final report, which reflects upon a year’s worth of work dedicated to studying key sectors of the community and identifying systemic and institutional inequities.
The report also provides recommendations on potential strategies aimed at helping to overcome those identified disparities.
The task force, which was convened by Mayor Kimberley Driscoll, included five subcommittees, each focused on an area of concern in the community: community culture, economics, education, health and public safety.
“The Race Equity Task Force was established to identify disparities throughout our community and to develop the core elements of a strategy to help guide work at the city level to tackle these inequities,” said Driscoll.
The report — which can be found at www.raceequitysalem.org — outlines the findings and action items in each of the five areas, based on a combination of research, analysis and community input, the mayor’s office said.
“Our hope is that this initial report will galvanize even broader support for confronting inequities and create a forum for residents to listen, reflect and act together to build a more inclusive community for all,” Driscoll said.
One of the core actions of the task force was a recommendation that the city form a permanent committee to address race equity issues and create a senior-staff-level position to lead this work on an ongoing basis.
Driscoll and Task Force Chairman Shawn Newton filed an ordinance with the City Council in June to establish a permanent Race Equity Commission. Driscoll proceeded to establish that new senior position — a diversity, equity, and inclusion director — within the fiscal year 2022 city budget.
The creation of the new position was approved by the City Council 10-1, but the joint ordinance is still pending before council. Driscoll said this is an important moment for the city and added that a strategic, thoughtful approach to addressing inequities is key to the community’s growth and prosperity
“I am incredibly grateful to the volunteer members of the task force, to Chairman Shawn Newton and to Salem resident Jakari Griffith — who served as the group’s administrator — for all of their time and commitment to this work,” said Driscoll. “This is the promise reflected in the task force’s work and in this report, and it’s a pledge for intentional action that we must continue to advance.”
Newton described Salem as a vibrant and welcoming community, which is passionate about many issues and determined to solve challenges together.
“Racism was created by people, and I truly believe that it can end by the will of the people — meaning each of us,” Newton said. “I believe that Salem can be a benchmark for communities across the nation to look toward for how to lay a foundation that addresses racial equity gaps.”
Newton said he is grateful to all of the members of the task force, who met regularly in this effort for over a year. “Because of their collective and collegial work, I have come closer to understanding how racism impacts each and every one of us,” Newton said.
He thanked Driscoll as well, saying none of this work would have been possible without her.
“Driscoll showed true leadership in convening this effort and dedicating her own time and efforts to try to solve one of our community and our nation’s greatest challenges,” Newton said. “The work to close racial equity gaps and to end racism begins with each of us, and the task force is merely one means to address it. Let’s continue to work together to end racism once and for all.”
