Rene LaPoint Jameson from Greenwich High School, Chelsea Beckford from Sacred Heart Greenwich and Daniel Osemobor from Brunswick School flanked by Valarie Shultz-Wilson of the Urban League of Southern CT and Mary Lee Kiernan of the YWCA of Greenwich. April 27, 2018 Photo: Leslie Yager
At the YWCA’s annual Stand Against Racism the CEO Mary Lee Kiernan said Greenwich is not immune to instances of bias, hate and disrespect. She said that this year a total of about 100 organizations came together for the Stand Against Racism event, up from about 70 last year.
The keynote speaker was CEO, Urban League of Southern CT, Valarie Shultz-Wilson, who said her organization has been in existence for over 110 years.
Evoking the memory of Martin Luther King, by a show of hands, most people in the packed meeting room recall exactly where they were on April 4, 1968 when the civil rights leader was assassinated.
Ms. Shultz-Wilson said that Martin Luther King went to jail and ultimately gave his life for the goals of inclusion, equality, empowerment and equity for all groups.
However, she said, “In the last couple years, you would probably agree, the work to fulfill the promise is still incomplete.”
Shultz-Wilson referred to “a concerted effort to turn back the clock,” adding, “Levels of racial animus have been startling.”
Group photo of all who turned out for the Stand Against Racism event at town hall on April 27, 2018 Photo: Leslie Yager
She said that what happened in Charlottesville could happen in Greenwich, referring to the clashes between white nationalists and counter-protesters on August 12, 2017 that left one dead and dozens injured.
Going on to talk about structural racism, she said, racial polarization and tribalism have increased. She said that a disproportionate number of black men and boys are alarmingly at risk with the US criminal justice system. “Fifty years after Dr. King’s assassination, structural racism still exist, whether in education, employment, income, housing, health, applying for a mortgage, applying for a business loan, applying for a car loan, or being exposed to discriminatory hiring practices, or being exposed to insidious levels racism in the workplace – these examples play homage to the Jim Crow era in which the past seems to be prologue.”
“I’m really appalled by the lack of discussion and the lack of honesty that we’ve been willing to share,” she said. “Until we have an honest discussion about racism in this country, we’ll never move forward. …not just for black communities, but for all communities.”
Ms. Shultz-Wilson referenced the recent incident at a Starbucks in Pennsylvania in which two African-American men were arrested, and praised the decision of Starbucks CEO Charles Shultz to close more than 8,000 stores in the US for one day to conduct anti-bias training.
Also at the event, three students received scholarships for their work furthering diversity initiatives. They were all introduced by Greenwich Schools Superintendent Dr. Jill Gildea, including Greenwich High School Senior Rene Jameson, Sacred Heart Greenwich’s Chelsea Beckford and Brunswick School’s Daniel Osemober.
Chelsea has been involved in the diversity club and diversity initiatives for her entire four years at Sacred Heart Greenwich’s upper school, leading workshops and conferences for Sacred Heart students and at events at other schools.
“Chelsea’s passion is advocating on behalf of persons with disabilities, particularly the unique struggles faced by youth and adults in minority communities,” Dr. Gildea said. “She has dedicated most of her high school career to raising awareness about the needs of developmentally disabled adults, focusing much of her time on those adults who are members of racial minorities.”
Chelsea Beckford from Sacred Heart Greenwich with Dr. Jill Gildea. April 27, 2018 Photo: Leslie Yager
Gildea presented GHS Senior Rene Jameson with the scholarship in honor of her personal commitment to social justice and leadership among her peers.
Rene is a member of the GHS Diversity Awareness Club, president of the school’s Roots & Shoots Club and a member of the Abilis Youth Board.
Throughout her four years of high school, Rene has been an outspoken leader on women’s rights on issues that impact women, particularly those of color.
“She is a staunch supporter of other women and recognizes the value of each other being allies,” Gildea said.
Also, Rene started community gardens at GHS that provides access to fresh produce for those in minority communities. She also cares for the elderly in many ways.
Rene Jameson with Dr. Jill Gildea at the Stand Against Racism event at Greenwich Town Hall. April 27, 2018 Photo: Leslie Yager
Daniel Osemobor with Greenwich Schools Superintendent Dr. Jill Gildea. April 27, 2018 Photo: Leslie Yager
Daniel Osemobor is a founding member of the Brunswick School Diversity in Action Club. “He has tirelessly championed and campaigned for positive social relations across all boundaries of difference,” Gildea said. “He is a leading voice in facilitating discussions of diversity with Brunswick students and countless workshops and panel discussions dealing with stereotyping, peer pressure, discrimination, perception and bullying.”
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