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During the recent City Council meeting on June 10, Director of Racial and Social Justice Denise Molina Capers presented a communication to the Council regarding the proposed inaugural budget to establish the City’s first Racial and Social Justice (RSJ) Office. Director Molina Capers called on the City Council to show support for the RSJ Office with our words and actions. I encourage everyone to read the full text of her letter before reading my response below.

The full text of the letter is available at the following link: 

http://somervillecityma.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=4&ID=15314&MeetingID=3375

I remain fully committed to the mission of the RSJ Office, which is to dismantle systemic racism and injustice in all its forms. We must reject the narrative that the RSJ Office “should stay in its racial justice lane”. Systems of oppression are intertwined, whether that be racism, sexism, homophobia, ableism or any other form of institutionalized discrimination. Our approach to addressing these issues must be intersectional. It is not possible to dismantle injustice in any of its forms without taking a holistic approach to the deeply entrenched forces of dominance and supremacy.

As a former Commissioner and Co-Chair for the Somerville Commission for Women, I am confident that the proposed RSJ Office will be well-suited to support the work of Somerville’s social-justice-related commissions. It concerned me that specific, pointed scrutiny seemed to be shown on the RSJ’s starting out proposal. For example, as Director Molina Capers pointed out, the Office of Housing Stability was not given the harsh treatment that the RSJ Office has received in its early stages. I agree. And, I firmly feel that the RSJ Office should be given equal opportunity to blossom in collaboration with the City Council and the community.

As an elected official, it is my responsibility to continue listening, learning, and striving to do better on issues of racial and social justice. An important part of this work is to recognize when bias and microaggressions have occurred, such as the ones that Director Molina Capers pointed out to us.

Although I was not present at the committee meeting in which these events took place, I share the responsibility for speaking up against them. I look forward to rebuilding the relationship between the City Council, the RSJ Office and the community as we collaborate on this vital work going forward.

Yes, it’s a long haul. And systemic change is bumpy. It is important, when these unfortunate moments of injustice occur, that we speak out in support of our values and vision for the future. I stand in full support of Director Molina Capers, and I ask for us to all unite for the changes that we want to see in our local City Council and City of Somerville. Creating an environment of equal opportunity for everyone to thrive is a cornerstone of my vision for Somerville. I urge others to stand in support.

In Solidarity,
Councilor Kristen Strezo
City Councilor at-Large, Somerville