Page 14 MOA | FROM PAGE 5 also talked about the continued work needed and pushing forward for the Bridge Recovery Center. To round out the speakers, three young men spoke about their journey through the disease and into recovery. Colin, Dan and Ronnie spoke about the devastating disease of addiction, the impacts on their family, their relationships and their lack of desire to live. The words of these brave men clearly aff ected the crowd in an emotional way. Dana then introduced the main attraction, Dave Russo and friends. Dave got the laughter started and he was followed by six other wonderfully funny comedians. There was lots of laughter and friendship that followed. MOA would like to thank everyone who came out for this special night. THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, May 31, 2019 EQUITY | FROM PAGE 1 ty N’ Unity Forum, a series of public conversations held to promote cohesion within the city’s racially and culturally diverse community. MaldenCORE has hosted a training on recognizing and undoing racism and bias, has supported multicultural community events and has been sponsoring a monthly dialog at the Senior Center about equity and inclusion. While the group works to promote racial equity and inclusion throughout the community, MaldenCORE is focusing on the school district as a key area to unravel the roots of racism. “We want to prioritize ongoing antiracism and multicultural competency for all educators in the district,” said Sorlien. “Our students deserve to have teachers and staff that understand the impact of systemic racism and the importance of unlearning one’s own personal biases.” Pierrette, a school adjustment counselor at Salemwood School, said that members of the group have heard reports of instances involving racial bias that have caused harm to both students and staff . “We have asked the school district to clarify a process that staff members can follow if they want to report an incident of bias that follows along the lines of diversity, equity or inclusion,” she said, adding that there’s no way for staff and families to report such incidents to school administrators. “We want to work with the school district and the teachers’ union to support the brave individuals who risk their jobs to report incidents of racism,” she added. Mutebi focused on the need to diversify the teaching and administrative staff in city schools. “We support the school district to prioritize staffi ng that is ethnically and culturally representative of our student body,” she said. “We would like to see the district set and achieve measurable goals around hiring and retaining staff of color so that our students can see themselves on their mentors and educators.” According to the latest fi gures from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, more than 19 percent of the students in city schools are African American, but only 34 teachers, or 4.2 percent of the full-time teaching staff , are black. Asian students account for more than 23 percent of the city’s students, while only 27 teachers, or 3.3 percent of the district’s educators, are Asian. Nearly 25 percent of Malden students are Hispanic, compared to only 2.7 percent, or 22 Hispanic teachers. This year, 28.4 percent of the students in Malden are white while nearly 89 percent, or 715 teachers, are white. Councillors recognized the need for MaldenCORE and off ered their support for the group and its mission. “You are doing yeomen’s work that needs to be done in our community,” said Ward 4 Councillor Ryan O’Malley, who mentioned a swastika that was recently found drawn in chalk on the side of a dugout at Maplewood Park and some anti-immigrant graffi ti spotted downtown. “These things are happening in our community and they need to be addressed,” he said. Councillor-at-Large Stephen Winslow praised MaldenCORE’s goals and the group’s eff orts to take action and work toward inclusion. “We need to be doing more than just talking about multiculturalism,” said Ward 7 Councillor Neal Anderson. “We need to make an eff ort to have goals and recognize that society suff ers from past discrimination.” Anderson said the city is falling short in having people of color in leadership positions. Except for Anderson, Malden’s City Council, School Committee and the mayor and his staff are white, as are most city department heads and chairs of the city’s boards and commissions. Anderson asked fellow councillors to help turn the tide toward a more inclusive city government. “Voices of overcoming bias are more acceptable and more powerful when they are white voices,” he said. “We need you to be forceful in your condemnation of the bias that takes place.” WE WORK FOR YOU! * Have your car repaired by * An I-CAR GOLD CLASS SHOP for 1605 North Shore Road, Revere * 781-284-1200 Visit us at: www.AtlasAutobody.com or call (781) 284-1200 to schedule your appointment today!
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