HomeMy WebLinkAboutTRC 2 18 2021AD HOC TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2021
Electronic Formal Meeting -7:00 PM ZOOM MEETING PLATFORM
Electronic Meeting
(Pursuant to Iowa Code section 21.8)
An electronic meeting is being held because a meeting in person is impossible or impractical due to concerns for the health and safety of commission members, staff and the public presented by
COVID-19.
You can participate in the meeting and can comment on an agenda item by going to https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEqdeyopzIsHNxAjPWbQvyQC8Emd4U9VPeovia the internet to visit the Zoom meeting's registration page and submit the required information.
Once approved, you will receive an email message with a link to join the meeting. If you are asked for a meeting or webinar ID, enter the ID number found in the email. A meeting password may also be included in the email. Enter the password when prompted.
If you have no computer or smartphone, or a computer without a microphone, you may call in by telephone by dialing (312) 626-6799. When prompted, enter the meeting or webinar ID. The ID number for this meeting is: 957 2509 9668.
Once connected, you may dial *9 to "raise your hand," letting the meeting host know you would
like to speak. Providing comments in person is not an option.
AGENDA:
1.CALL TO ORDER and ROLL CALL
2.APPROVAL OF FEBRUARY 4, 2021 MEETING MINUTES
3.PUBLIC COMMENT OF ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDACommentators shall address the Commission for no more than 5 minutes. The Commission
shall not engage in discussion with the public concerning said items.
4.MEETING ETIQUETTE
a.MEETING EXPECTATIONS
b.MEETING FORMALITIESc.FACILITATION OF GROUP DISCUSSIONS ON AGENDA ITEMS
d.MOVING FORWARD WITH A ROUNDTABLE APPROACH
5.FACILITATOR UPDATE
6.DEFERMENT OF NEWS RELEASE ON RECENT JOHNSON COUNTY COURT DECISIONS
AD HOC TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION FEBRUARY 18, 2021 MEETING PACKET CONTENTS
AGENDA ITEM #2
•DRAFT MINUTES FROM FEBRUARY 4, 2021
AGENDA ITEM #7
•EMAIL FROM JOHN ENGELBRECHT: DISMANTLING WHITE SUPREMACY ANDUPLIFTING BLACK LIVES IN A MURAL – LEND YOUR VOICE TO THE ORACLES
•RESOLUTION OVERVIEW
•TERMS RELATED TO RACIAL JUSTICE
1
PRELIMINARY MINUTES
AD HOC TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION
FEBRUARY 4, 2021
ELECTRONIC MEETING
(Electronic Meeting (Pursuant to Iowa Code section 21.8)
An electronic meeting was held because a meeting in person was impossible or
impractical due to concerns for the health and safety of commission members,
staff and the public presented by COVID-19.
MEMBERS PRESENT: ANTHONY CURRIN, AMEL ALI, RANEEM HAMAD, T’SHAILYN HARRINGTON, ERIC
HARRIS, LAYANA NAVARRE-JACKSON, ROYCEANN PORTER, KEVIN JOHN RIVERA, MOHAMED TRAORE.
STAFF PRESENT: STEFANIE BOWERS.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: NICHOLAS THEISEN, AARON PAGE.
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER: 7:06 PM
APPROVAL OF JANUARY 21, 2021: Motion by Ali, seconded by Currin. Motion passed 9-0.
PUBLIC COMMENT OF ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA: Nicholas Theisen spoke on the lack of accessibility
in registering for the Truth and Reconciliation (TRC) meetings and asked for a link to be set up on their
page similar to how the City Council’s web page is designed. He also asked why the TRC is not centering
their conversations to include victims of violence. Specifically, making sure that victims are being made
whole versus public officials.
Aaron Page also mentioned the difficulties in accessing the registration site for meetings and noted a
letter sent in by members of the community that serve on a working human rights group who wish to
assist the TRC in working through their charge.
MEETING ETIQUETTE: Etiquette Officer Traore shared the expectations for the meetings in terms of
rules to follow, 1) Commissioners shall refer to one another by their titles, 2) Commissioners shall state
their names prior to speaking, 3) Commissioners shall yield the floor when done speaking and, 4)
Commissioners shall be respectful to one another and to the community during their meetings.
MISSION STATEMENT: The discussion centered around whether the mission statement should be an
“elevator pitch” or a more expansive statement and also whether the TRC should go with the original
statement from the meeting of 1/7/2021 or a more combined statement with the additions submitted
by Hamad.
The discussion included consideration of adding the below to the original mission statement.
“The Commission was formed with an acknowledgement by the City Council of the existence of painful
[and] systemic racial injustice in Iowa City society and the fact that “past efforts to address” this injustice
have been insufficient.”
2
The TRC also had a discussion on whether the term “white privilege” and “youth” in the version
submitted by Hamad could be seen as divisive and whether the Iowa Freedom Riders (IFR) should be
included in the mission statement.
A proposal was made to add some of the wording from the mission statement proposed by Hamad to
the original mission statement so that it would read as below.
WHO ARE WE? Our Commission represents a collection of citizen activists from diverse backgrounds
calling on the Iowa City community to account for their history of racialized oppression. We are
individuals who are committed to structural change, truth telling, healing trauma and repair. We share
in common a vision for an equitable and sustainable community free of violence and systemic racism. We
believe the time has come to foster change.
OUR MISSION The Iowa City Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission is committed to implementing
and sustaining grassroots, community-centered truth-telling processes to address past and present
instances of both direct and indirect actions of violence, discrimination, and racism in Iowa City. We will
collect testimony from a variety of institutions including but not limited to schools, housing providers,
government officials, health care, banking institutions, and law enforcement.
The Commission will: a) fund and organize a robust fact-finding process to establish a factual record on
racial discrimination and white privilege in the history and present operation of Iowa City society and
institutions: b) host safe, respectful, community-centered forums for affected individuals to tell the truth
of their experiences of racial injustice in Iowa City, and c) facilitate creative opportunities for all Iowa City
resident to come together to communicate and collaborate in ways that are capable of building trust and
reconciliation while respecting the truth and experiences of racial injustice.
Harrington motioned to accept the original mission statement of 1/7/2021, it was seconded by Harris.
Motion passed 7-2 (Hamad, Rivera in the negative).
DISCUSSION/SELECTION OF A FACILITATOR: Ali moved to select a facilitator using the list of names
contained in their packet: Annie Tucker, Jesse Case, Eduardo Gonzalez, Frederick Newell, and Hamza
Omar, the motion was seconded by Currin. Motion passed 9-0.
Hamad moved to nominate Hamza Omar in the role of facilitator. Motion failed (no second).
Commissioners discussed the qualifications of Frederick Newell, Jesse Case, Annie Tucker, and Hamza
Omar.
Motion by Ali to nominate Jesse Case, if final two in the finalist, seconded by Harrington. Staff asked for
clarification on the motion and asked Commissioners to recast their vote. The motion failed 1-8 (Currin
in support).
There was a brief discussion on whether there should be two facilitators to create a broader reach in the
community.
A motion to vote for the facilitator at this meeting was made by Traore, seconded by Currin. Motion
passed 8-1 (Hamad in the negative).
A motion to select Annie Tucker as the facilitator was made by Traore and seconded by Navarre-Jackson.
The motion failed 0-9.
3
Ali moved and it was seconded by Currin to select Jesse Case as the facilitator for the TRC. The motion
passed 8-1 (Hamad in the negative).
RECENT LOCAL COURT DECISIONS AND THE IMPACT ON THE BLACK COMMUNITY IN JOHNSON
COUNTY NEWS RELEASE: Traore mentioned recent posts on a Twitter account that was based upon the
TRC’s discussion on this topic at its meeting of 1/21/21 and asked for participants to the meeting to
speak if they had anything to say under this topic.
There was also a discussion on inviting victims to TCR’s meeting to discuss the good and bad history of
Iowa City and how the TRC will encourage victims to come forward to speak. It was also noted that a
discussion should be held on transformative justice and how to make these meetings a safe space along
with the totality of all the injustices throughout Iowa City history.
DEFINITION OF TERMS RELATED TO RACIAL JUSTICE: Commissioners reviewed the list of accepted
definitions. They were also asked what transformative justice means to them. Staff injected that some
of these questions may be better discussed once the facilitator is working with the group.
COMMISSION ANNOUNCEMENT: Harrington, spoke on the United Way of Eastern Iowa and the
University of Iowa having themed discussion on building equity within systems. Ali discussed options of
televising TRC meetings. Currin noted for the Commission to keep things moving at the meetings. Traore
has started to collect crime statistics and asked the public to let the TRC know if they were other areas,
they would like to see statistics from. Porter mentioned a TRC webinar that she and Harrington
participated in that discussed TRC processes in the United States. Porter also stood with the University
of Iowa College of Dentistry students on 1/29/2021 in solidarity.
STAFF ANNOUCEMENTS: Staff will contact the City Clerk to display the TRC registration links in the same
manner as Council on its site on the City’s webpage. Staff also reminded Commissioners and the
community to use the City’s subscriber list to receive notice of the agenda and packets.
MOTION TO ADJOURN: 9-0.
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 9:38 PM.
AD HOC TRUTH & RECONCILIATION COMMISSION ATTENDANCE RECORD
YEAR 2021 (Meeting Date)
NAME
TERM EXP. 12/21/20 1/7/21 1/21/21 2/4/21 2/18/21 3/4/21 3/18/21 4/1/21 4/15/21 4/29/21 5/13/21 5/27/21 6/10/21 6/24/21 ALI 6/22 X X X X
CURRIN 6/22 X X X X
HARRINGTON 6/22 X X X X
NAVARRE-JACKSON 6/22 X X X X
PORTER 6/22 X X X X
HAMAD 6/22 X O/E X X
HARRIS 6/22 X X X X
RIVERA 6/22 X X X X
TRAORE 6/22 X X X X
KEY: X = Present O = Absent
From:Stefanie Bowers
To:Stefanie Bowers
Subject:FW: Dismantling white supremacy and uplifting Black lives in a mural — lend your voice to The Oracles
Date:Monday, February 15, 2021 5:57:16 PM
Attachments:We sent you safe versions of your files.msg
Lend Your voice to The Oracles.pdf
From: John Engelbrecht <john@publicspaceone.com>
Sent: Monday, February 15, 2021 12:07 PM
To: AdHocTruth <AdHocTruth@iowa-city.org>
Subject: Dismantling white supremacy and uplifting Black lives in a mural — lend your voice to The
Oracles
Mimecast Attachment Protection has deemed this file to be safe, but always exercise caution when opening files.
Dear Truth and Reconciliation Committee,
The Oracles are speaking. What action and justice can they summon for the people of Iowa City?
Public Space One (PS1), a community arts organization, and the Center for AfrofuturistStudies (CAS), a residency program bringing artists of color to Iowa City, is working on aproject funded by the City of Iowa City and University of Iowa. The project is, at face value,two murals on a highly visible parking ramp in downtown Iowa City…but below the surface,the project represents commitment, accountability, and belief in equitable Black futures (BlackLives Matter!). In the words of the organizing team, "the mural in itself is not enough." We
would love to hear your thoughts and invite you to dig deeper with us.
The initial phase of the design has been completed by two professional artists (Donté K. Hayesand Antoine Williams), and we are now welcoming more people into the conversation,
extending additional opportunities surrounding the project, and gauging public response to thedesign. We do this in an extended and targeted push to allow the whole Iowa City community
to help shape the dialogue and deployment of this public art piece. We are developing aprogram of events and initiatives surrounding the project and appreciate you taking a moment
to hear about, respond to, and even join our initiative.
We wanted to begin the public rollout of this project by first widely presenting it to andinviting the Black community of Iowa City for feedback. We'd love to have your input and
voice heard by sharing the design proof with you and asking a few questions. The survey isflexible; it can be done quickly or elaborated upon should the desire arise. The responses will
be kept confidential and only shared as a data collection omitting individual indicators—i.e.,participants will remain anonymous (unless you opt otherwise). To provide your insight and
feedback, please click here. We look forward to hearing from you!
J
PS I have attached a pdf with the above info that could easily be shared with your constituents
• • •
John Engelbrecht
Director \\ Public Space One
c: 319.331.8893
w: publicspaceone.com
PS1 runs because a lot of people give
a little. Be a sustaining member today!
Dismantling white supremacy and uplifting Black lives in a mural -
lend your voice to The Oracles
The Oracles are speaking. What action and justice can they summon for the people of Iowa
City?
Public Space One (PS1 ), a community arts organization, and the Center for Afrofuturist Studies
(CAS), a residency program bringing artists of color to Iowa City, is working on a project
funded by the City of Iowa City and University of Iowa. The project is, at face value, two murals
on a highly visible parking ramp in downtown Iowa City ... but below the surface, the project
represents commitment, accountability, and belief in equitable Black futures (Black Lives
Matter!). In the words of the organizing team, "the mural in itself is not enough." We would love
to hear your thoughts and invite you to dig deeper with us.
The initial phase of the design has been completed by two professional artists (Donte K. Hayes
and Antoine Williams), and we are now welcoming more people into the conversation,
extending additional opportunities surrounding the project, and gauging public response to the
design. We do this in an extended and targeted push to allow the whole Iowa City community
to help shape the dialogue and deployment of this public art piece. We are developing a
program of events and initiatives surrounding the project and appreciate you taking a moment
to hear about, respond to, and even join our initiative.
We wanted to begin the public rollout of this project by first widely presenting it to and
inviting the Black community of Iowa City for feedback. We'd love to have your input and
voice heard by sharing the design proof with you and asking a few questions. The survey is
flexible; it can be done quickly or elaborated upon should the desire arise. The responses will
be kept confidential and only shared as a data collection omitting individual indicators-Le.,
participants will remain anonymous (unless you opt otherwise). To provide your insight and
feedback, please click here. We look forward to hearing from you!
POSSIBILITY
t-I� The Center for"+� Aftrof uturist Studies
Prepared by: Council members Janice Weiner and Laura Bergus I
Resolution No. 20-228
Resolution establishing Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Whereas, in Resolution No. 20-159 (Initial Commitments addressing the Black Lives Matter
Movement and Systemic Racism in the wake of the murder of George Floyd by the Minneapolis
Police and calls for action from protesters and residents), the Iowa City City Council resolved asfollows:
By October 1, 2020, create an ad hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission to bear
witness to the truth of racial injustice in Iowa City and to carry out restorative justice,
through the collection of testimony and public hearings, with such work to include a
recommendation to the Council of a plan for dedicating and/or renaming public spaces
and/or rights of way in honor of the Black Lives Matter movement; and,
Whereas, the City Council committed to allocate City funds of $1,000,000 during the present
Fiscal Year to support Resolution 20-159, which includes a variety of initiatives, among them theTruthandReconciliationCommission; and,
Whereas, truth and reconciliation underscores the imperative that confronting and reckoningwiththepastisnecessaryforsuccessfultransitionsfromconflict, injustice, resentment and
tension to peace, equality and connectedness; and,
Whereas, while we acknowledge that other forms of injustice and challenges have occurred
over the course of the history of the city of Iowa City, the focus of this Commission is on race;
and,
Whereas, the City Council acknowledges the existence of painful, systemic, persistent, and
varied forms of racial injustice in Iowa City, and acknowledges that such injustice persists
despite past efforts to address it, consistent with observations that systemic racism and white
privilege are deeply resistant to change; and,
Whereas, the Iowa City community must look comprehensively into its past and bear witness to
the truth of racial injustice in order to provide the best possible foundation for moving into afutureofequitybasedonhealingandhope; and,
Whereas, the City Council recognizes that, for a Truth and Reconciliation process to be
meaningful, it must include bold action to confront privilege, stimulate difficult conversations,
and reach and engage a full cross-section of the community, including those in the communitynotinclinedtoengageorresistanttoengagement; and,
Whereas, a comprehensive process will require that City of Iowa City departments and the CityCouncilitselfparticipate, including individual councilors, in good faith, in the process and to
actively encourage broad participation throughout the community, and the City Council hereby
commits to such participation and encouragement; and,
Whereas, creation of an Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission is in the best interests of
the City and its residents.
Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved by the City Council of the City of Iowa City, that:
1. The Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) is hereby established
Resolution No. 20-228
Page 2
2. The TRC shall have nine members who are representative of the City's BIPOC
communities and organizations, including those who have direct lived experience with
systemic racism, as well as experts who support those communities. To the extent
possible, as determined by the City Council, the TRC shall include representation from
groups such as the Iowa Freedom Riders, the Black Voices Project, the South District
Neighborhood Association, the Iowa City Human Rights Commission, and the
Community Police Review Board. Johnson County residency is required. Iowa City
residency is preferred but not required if an applicant offers expertise or representation
not available from applicants who reside in Iowa City. Members of other City boards and
commissions are eligible to serve on the TRC.
3. Applications for membership on the TRC shall be announced, advertised, and available in
the same manner as those for all City boards and commissions.
4. The TRC shall select the Chair, who when present will preside over all meetings, and the
Vice -Chair, who will serve as chair in the absence of the Chair.
5. Within the charges of the TRC set forth herein, the TRC is not required to seek approval
from the City Council, mayor, or city manager to set its own agenda and prioritize its
activities.
6. The TRC shall be facilitated by an independent consultant, funded by the City, with
expertise in group facilitation and human rights, and to the extent possible, experience
with diversity, implicit bias, mediation and conflict resolution, until such time as the TRC
concludes by the favorable vote of at least three-fourths of all the members of the TRC
7/9) that facilitation is no longer needed.
7. To conform with the requirements of laws pertaining to open meetings and public records
and to facilitate transparency and public education and participation, administrative/clerical
assistance and media/event assistance shall be provided by City staff as determined by
the City Manager and City Clerk. Media assistance may be supplemented by outside
expertise on a case-by-case basis if the Commission believes it will substantially expand
outreach.
8. The TRC shall determine the frequency and conduct of its meetings. The meetings will
be open to the public and conducted in accordance with Chapter 21 of the Iowa Code.
Records, documentation, and communications of the TRC will be public records under
Chapter 22 of the Iowa Code.
9. The TRC shall serve from the date of appointment of all members to June 30, 2022. The
TRC shall have an organizational meeting no later than 30 days after the appointment of
all members.
10. Within 90 days of its organizational meeting, the TRC shall recommend to City Council a
preliminary budget for funds needed to carry out the charges of the TRC beyond what
existing City staff, programs, and services can provide.
11. The charges of the TRC are as follows:
A. Fact -Finding The TRC shall collect evidence, including first-hand testimony, of
discrimination and racial injustice in multiple settings and compile a complete
record of racial injustices that will inform and support the fundamental institutional
and policy reforms necessary to address systemic racism.
Resolution No. 20-228
Page 3
B. Truth -Telling The TRC shall: 1) Provide multiple fora and creative opportunities
for persons impacted and traumatized by racial injustice to share their stories of
racial injustice and experience to be heard by: (a) fellow communities of color; (b) a
broad cross section of the entire Iowa City community; and (c) key decision -
makers in city government, the business community and the University; 2) Explore
ways to provide such opportunities through art, music, theater, workshops, rallies
and other forms of congregation, multimedia and listening designed to reveal truths
that cannot be fully expressed in traditional fora; and, 3) Create a repository for
community stories expressed in multiple media (written, video, audio, art) that can
be catalogued and used to educate and inform members of the community.
C. Reconciliation The TRC shall: 1) Provide opportunity for and facilitate direct
conversation among and between community members of color, white community
members and representatives of various sectors in which people of color
experience discrimination and injustice (e.g. police and protesters, landlords and
tenants, students and teachers, patients and health care providers, business
owners and staff); 2) Create a replicable model that provides a structure for
enabling these conversations throughout the city; 3) Make available opportunities
for a broad cross section of the community to learn about discrimination and racial
injustice in our community; and, 4) Identify and recommend to the City Council
institutional and policy reforms, new social practices, expectations, protocols,
habits, rituals, conversations and celebrations that will move Iowa City toward a
shared experience of race and difference, justice and equity and community and
harmony.
12. The TRC shall strive to provide a safe and supportive space for its work, premised on
mutual respect, and shall conduct its work so as to promote healing and justice. The TRC
shall consider the possibility of adverse actions against those who participate in its work.
The TRC shall carefully consider mechanisms to protect participants, and shall work to
support those who allege harm due to their participation in the TRC process.
13. The TRC shall submit periodic updates to City Council to include, but not be limited to: its
plans for community education; recommendations for Council action; requests for
resources the TRC needs to carry out its work; and recommendations to dedicate and/or
rename public spaces and/or rights of way in honor of the Black Lives Matter movement.
14. By May 1, 2022 the TRC shall submit to City Council:
A. A report summarizing the work of the TRC.
B. A repository of community stories expressed in multiple media (written, video,
audio, art).
C. Recommendations to the City Council for: 1) Institutional and policy reforms to end
systemic racism; 2) Opportunities to create new social practices, expectations,
protocols, habits, rituals and celebrations that will move Iowa City toward a shared
experience of race and difference, justice and equity and community and
harmony; 3) Measures to enhance the autonomy/security/sovereignty of
communities of color and mitigate disparities in social and economic power; and 4)
A recommendation on whether and in what form the work of the Commission
should continue.
15. At any time in its work, and no later than June 30, 2022, the TRC shall strive to submit to
City Council a replicable model and structure for conversations between people of color
Resolution No. 20-228
Page 4
and white community members and representatives of various sectors in which people of
color experience discrimination and injustice.
16. Absent further action by the City Council, the TRC will dissolve on June 30, 2022.
Passed and approved this 15 day of September, 2020.
ted by
City Attorney's Office - 09/10/2020
Racial Justice Terms TRC
Ally
-Advocates for people from underrepresented or marginalized groups. An ally
takes action to support people outside of their own group. SOURCE: 12
Diversity & Inclusion Terms You Need to Know | Catalyst.
Bigoted
-Blindly devoted to some creed, opinion, or practice. Having or showing an
attitude of hatred or intolerance towards the members of a particular group
such as a racial or ethnic group.
Colonization
-The action or process of settling among and establishing control over the
indigenous people of an area.
Community
-A group of people living in the same locality and under the same government.
A group of people who share something in common.
Decolonization
-The process of the deconstructing colonial ideologies of the superiority and
privilege of Western thought and approaches. Involves dismantling structures
that perpetuate the status quo and addressing unbalanced power dynamics.
Defund
-To withdraw or disperse funding from an organization or system.
Discrimination
-“Negative actions against a group, aimed at denying its members equal
access to societal rewards.” (Marger 2012: 490)
Diversity
-Diversity includes all the ways in which people differ, and it encompasses all
the different characteristics that make one individual or group different from
another. It is all inclusive and recognizes everyone and every group as part of
the diversity that should be valued. A broad definition includes not only race,
ethnicity, and gender—the groups that most often come to mind when the
term "diversity" is used—but also age, national origin, religion, disability, sexual
orientation, socioeconomic status, education, marital status, language, and
physical appearance. It also involves different ideas, perspectives, and values.
Emotional Tax
-Refers to the unseen mental work that people from marginalized
backgrounds have to do every day to feel included, respected, and safe.
SOURCE: An anti-racist's dictionary: 19 words on race, gender, and diversity
you should know.
Explicit bias
-The traditional conceptualization of bias. With explicit bias, individuals are
aware of their prejudices and attitudes toward certain groups. 8 Positive or
negative preferences for a particular group are conscious.
Fundamental Principles of Restorative Justice
-1) Crime causes harm and justice should focus on repairing that harm.
-2) The people most affected by the crime should be able to participate in its
resolution.
-3) The responsibility of the government is to maintain order and of the
community to build peace.
Healing
-To restore health, well-being, and spiritual wholeness of individuals and
communities; to repair or set right. Healing requires that incidences of trauma
and injury are no longer being perpetuated. (Adapted from
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1H1wBUzPKmCR5UR57VG58YudaVoW08j-/view
)
Implicit Bias
-Also known as unconscious or hidden bias, implicit biases are negative
associations that people unknowingly hold. They are expressed automatically,
without conscious awareness. Many studies have indicated that implicit
biases affect individuals’ attitudes and actions, thus creating real-world
implications, even though individuals may not even be aware that those
biases exist within themselves.
Indigenous
-Produced, growing, living or occurring natively or naturally in a particular
region or environment. Relating to the earliest known inhabitants of a place -
especially that of a place that was colonized by a now dominant group.
Intersectionality
-The intertwining of social identities such as gender, race, ethnicity, social class,
religion, sexual orientation, and/or gender identity, which can result in unique
experiences, opportunities, and barriers. SOURCE: 12 Diversity & Inclusion
Terms You Need to Know | Catalyst.
Monolithic (of an organization or system)
-Large, powerful, and intractably indivisible and uniform. "rejecting any move
toward a monolithic European superstate".
Prejudice
-“A generalized belief, usually inflexible and unfavorable, applied to members
of a particular group.” (Marger 2012: 492)
Race
-“A socially constructed category of humans, classified on the basis of certain
arbitrarily selected hereditary characteristics that differentiate them from
other human groups.” (Marger 2012: 493)
Racial Justice
-The systematic fair treatment of people of all races, resulting in equitable
opportunities and outcomes for all. Racial justice—or racial equity—goes
beyond “anti-racism.” It is not just the absence of discrimination and
inequities, but also the presence of deliberate systems and supports to
achieve and sustain racial equity through proactive and preventative
measures.
Racial Trauma
-The mental and emotional injury experienced by persons who have
encountered racism at the internal, interpersonal, or systemic level. Racial
trauma can result from single-episode events, repeated occurrences, or
chronic forces. In the US, Black, indigenous peoples, and people of color
(BIPOC) are most vulnerable to racial trauma due to pervasive white
supremacy. Racial trauma often results in both physical and mental
experiences of distress, which impair the wellbeing of the traumatized
individual. (Adapted from https://www.mhanational.org/racial-trauma).
Racism
-“The belief that humans are subdivided into distinct hereditary groups that
are innately different in their social behavior and mental capacities and that
can therefore be ranked as superior or inferior.” (Marger 2012: 493)
-Racism = race prejudice + social and institutional power, Racism = a system of
advantage based on race, Racism = a system of oppression based on race,
Racism = a white supremacy system, Racism is different from racial prejudice,
hatred, or discrimination. Racism involves one group having the power to
carry out systematic discrimination through the institutional policies and
practices of the society and by shaping the cultural beliefs and values that
support those racist policies and practices.
Racist
-A belief that race is a fundamental determinant of human traits and
capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a
particular race. The systemic oppression of a racial group to the social,
economic, and political advantage of another.
Reconciliation
-In the US, racial reconciliation is the bringing together of Black people,
Indigenous people, and people of color with the individuals and institutions
which enact and perpetuate racist actions and policies in order to repair their
relationship and come to shared understandings. Reconciliation work must
include finding the means to overcome racial inequalities in social and
economic status, health and life expectancy, living standards, and systemic
injustice. (Adapted from
https://www.oise.utoronto.ca/abed101/what-isreconciliation/).
Restorative Justice
-A system of criminal justice which focuses on the rehabilitation of offenders
through reconciliation with victims and the community at large. Views crime
as more than “breaking the law”- it also causes harm to people, relationships
and the community. A just response must address those harms as well as the
wrongdoing
Restorative Justice
-An approach to justice in which offenders take responsibility, reconcile with
victims, and repair the harm experienced by individual victims and the
community. It is accomplished through a cooperative process in which all
willing stakeholders connect and communicate about experiences, feelings,
and consequences related to a harmful incident, which leads to accountability
and repair, thus rehabilitating the offender and restoring relationships across
the community. (Adapted from
https://mettacenter.org/definitions/restorative-justice/)
Restructure
-To change, alter, or restore the structure of a system. To effect a fundamental
change in, (as an organization or system.
Social Construct
-A concept or perception of something based on the collective views
developed and maintained within a society or social group, as opposed to
existing inherently. (Ex: Laws, ethics, race, gender, gender roles, property
ownership, language, culture).
Structural Racism
-Public policies, institutional practices, cultural representations, and societal
conventions that individually and collectively reinforce racial inequity and
codify the advantage of “whiteness.” SOURCE: Talking racial equity? Make sure
you understand these 17 words - Generocity Philly.
Superiority vs. Inferiority
-As it appears in the context of racism, often is a platform to support a false
narrative that legitimizes a false rhetoric. That is to say that the superior only
finds meaning in their existence through the constant demeaning of any that
they find inferior.
Systemic
-Relating to or noting a policy, practice, or set of beliefs that has been
established as normative or customary throughout a political, social, or
economic system.
Systemic Vehicle
-The process of enabling. Whether by word, deed or standards of operating
procedures, a group, a member of a group or a single representative of said
group, the ability to suppress, repress, undermine, delegitimize,
disenfranchise or otherwise nullify, the words, deeds, ideas or achievements of
any group that the aforementioned dominant group deems unworthy.
Transformative Justice
-A series of practices and philosophies designed to create change in social
systems. Most regularly alternatives to criminal justice in cases of
interpersonal violence or to responses for dealing with socioeconomic issues
in societies transitioning away from conflict or repression. A process where all
individuals affected by an injustice are given the opportunity to address and
repair the harm.
Truth
-The body of real things, events, and facts. The body of true statements and
propositions, of being in accord with fact or reality. Sincerity in action and
character.
White Fragility
-A state in which even a minimum amount of racial stress becomes intolerable
[for white people], triggering a range of defensive moves. These moves
include the outward display of emotions such as anger, fear, and guilt, and
behaviors such as argumentation, silence, and leaving the stress-inducing
situation. These behaviors, in turn, function to reinstate white racial
equilibrium. SOURCE: Robin DiAngelo, “White Fragility” (International Journal
of Critical Pedagogy, 2011).
White Privilege
-“White privilege means having entry to structures and institutions that mete
out important economic opportunities, having access to neighborhoods, jobs,
credit, and tax benefits that by and large are off limits or available in limited
fashion to minorities, it means being presumed competent, intelligent, and
hardworking, it means not being discriminated against daily by anyone
ranging from a restaurant attendant to a car salesperson.” (Lazos Vargas 1998:
1527)
-Refers to the unquestioned and unearned set of advantages, entitlements,
benefits and choices bestowed on people solely because they are white.
Generally white people who experience such privilege do so without being
conscious of it.
AD HOC TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION FEBRUARY 18, 2021
LATE HANDOUT:
AGENDA ITEM #5
•DRAFT FACILITATOR AGREEMENT
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TRC Facilitator Agreement
This Consultant Agreement (“Agreement”), is effective as of March __, 2021 (“Effective Date”),
and is entered into between Jesse Case (“Contractor” and/or “Facilitator”), an independent
contractor, and City of Iowa City (the “Client”).
Whereas, the City Council for the City of Iowa City established the Ad Hoc Truth and
Reconciliation Commission (“Commission”) in Resolution No. 20-228 (“Resolution”), which is
attached and incorporated herein;
Whereas, Paragraph 6 of the Resolution provides that the Commission shall be facilitated by an
independent consultant; and
Whereas, Client agrees to engage Contractor to provide facilitation services outlined below and
Contractor agrees to provide such services.
In consideration of the promise and mutual agreements herein, the receipt and sufficiency of
which are acknowledged, Client and Contractor agree as follows:
1. Engagement: During the term of this Agreement, the Contractor will facilitate the
Commission as set forth in Paragraph 6 of the Resolution. The Contractor will work at
the direction of the Commission and will provide periodic status reports to the Client.
2. Services: During the term of this Agreement, the Facilitator shall:
A. Guide the Commission in fulfilling its charges as set forth in the Resolution,
particularly Paragraphs 11, 14, and 15;
B. Oversee the development of the Commission’s budget that is required to be submitted
to the City Council by March 21, 2021, which may include the recommendation and
hiring of other entities that can bring value to the work of the Commission (historians,
expert witnesses, trainers, etc.);
C. Assist in the creation of meeting agendas, assist in keeping meetings moving forward
in a productive manner and on time, assist in the mediation and make
recommendations to address adverse reactions and potential disruptions to the
Commission and process; and
D. Provide periodic updates to Client throughout the process and assist the Commission
in making final recommendations to the City of Iowa City relating to fundamental
institutional, societal, and policy reforms necessary to address systemic racism and
move Iowa City toward a more just and equitable community.
If the Parties determine a change in the engagement is necessary, the Parties will amend
this Agreement by written mutual consent.
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3. Independent Contractor: The Parties recognize and agree that Contractor will act as an
independent contractor and will have sole responsibility for all federal, state, and local
taxes, including but not limited to income taxes and social security taxes, and workers’
compensation or disability benefits. Nothing in this Agreement creates an employee-
employer relationship or changes the preexisting legal status of either Party.
4. Power to Act on Behalf of Client: Contractor will have no authority to create any
obligation, express or implied, or make any representation on behalf of Client except as
expressly authorized from time to time by Client.
5. Client Responsibilities: To the extent deemed reasonable and necessary by Client, to
further Contractor’s engagement under this Agreement, Client will: 1) provide access to
Client information; 2) provide access to administrative services; and 3) work with
Contractor in good faith to meet deadlines and goals as set forth herein.
6. Payment: For the provision of Services, Contractor shall be paid four thousand dollars
($4,000.00) per month. Payments will be made on a monthly basis no later than the tenth
(10th) day of each month beginning April 2021 for the services rendered in March 2021.
If this Agreement is terminated prior to June 30, 2022, as provided in Paragraph 7 herein,
Client shall pay Contractor for services rendered in a partial month on a pro rate basis.
No Contractor expenses will be reimbursed unless pre-approved by Client in writing. If
Contractor expenses are approved for payment by Client, Contractor will submit an
itemized statement of Contractor’s expenses. Client will pay Contractor for undisputed
expenses within 30 days of receipt of such statement.
Basis of Payment: Contractor estimates a minimum of twelve hundred (1200) hours will
be needed over the sixteen (16) month period to complete the terms of the Agreement.
Contractor’s research indicates the average rate for similar facilitator positions is $150.00
- $200.00 per hour. Contractor’s fee is based on creating a balance of the Facilitator’s
time commitment which will pull them away from other projects, and the important
nature of the work and benefits to the community, as well as the Facilitator’s
commitment to the project and community. Contractor’s research indicates the fee
represents approximately one-third (1/3) of market value for similar positions.
7. Term and Termination: This Agreement will remain in effect from March __, 2021 and
shall remain in effect through the duration of the tenure of the Commission. The
Agreement may be extended by mutual written consent of both Parties. Either Party may
terminate this Agreement with thirty (30) days written notice to the other Party without
cause, reason, or penalty.
8. Liability/Indemnification.
A. To the full extent permitted by law, Contractor agrees to defend, indemnify, and hold
harmless the Client against any and all claims, demands, suits, loss, expenses,
including attorney’s fees, and for any damages which may be asserted, claimed or
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recovered against or from the Client by reason of personal injury, including bodily
injury or death, and property damages, including loss of use thereof, caused by
Contactor’s negligent acts, errors or omissions in performing the work and/or services
provided by Contractor to the Client pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement.
B. Contractor assumes full responsibility for any and all damage or injuries which may
result to any person or property by reason of Contractor's negligent acts, errors or
omissions in connection with the work and/or services provided by Contractor to the
Client pursuant to this Agreement, and agrees to pay the Client for all damages
caused to the Client's premises resulting from the negligent acts, errors or omissions
of Contractor.
C. The Contractor’s obligation to indemnify the City shall not include the obligation to
indemnify, hold harmless, or defend the Client against lability, claims, damages,
losses, or expenses, including attorney fees, to the extent caused by or resulting from
the negligent act, error, or omission of the Client.
D. For purposes of this paragraph, the term "Contractor" means and includes the
Contractor, its officers, agents, employees, sub-consultants, and others for whom
Contractor is legally liable, and the term “Client” means and includes the City of
Iowa City, Iowa its Mayor, City Council members, employees, and volunteers.
9. Disputes: This Agreement shall be interpreted and enforced in accordance with the laws
of the State of Iowa. Any legal proceeding instituted with respect to this Agreement shall
be brought in a court of competent jurisdiction in Johnson County, Iowa. The parties
hereto hereby submit to personal jurisdiction therein and irrevocably waive any objection
as to venue therein, including any argument that such proceeding has been brought in an
inconvenient forum.
10. Conflict of Interest: Upon signing this Agreement, Contractor acknowledges that Section
362.5 of the Iowa Code prohibits a City of Iowa City officer or employee from having an
interest in a contract with the City of Iowa City, and certifies that no employee or officer of
the City of Iowa City, which includes members of the City Council and City of Iowa City
boards and commissions, has an interest, either direct or indirect, in this Agreement, that
does not fall within the exceptions to said statutory provision enumerated in Section 362.5.
11. Anti-Discrimination: The Contractor shall not commit any of the following employment
practices and agrees to prohibit the following practices in any subcontracts.
A. To discharge or refuse to hire any individual because of their race, color, religion, sex,
national origin, disability, age, marital status, gender identity, or sexual orientation.
B. To discriminate against any individual in terms, conditions, or privileges of
employment because of their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age,
marital status, gender identity, or sexual orientation.
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11. Additional Terms: This Agreement shall be binding on the Parties hereto and their
successors and assigns, but neither Party may assign this Agreement without the prior
written consent of the other. Failure of either Party to enforce any of the provisions of
this Agreement, to enforce any rights with respect thereto, or to exercise any election
provided herein, shall in no way be considered a waiver of such provisions, rights, or
elections, or in any way affect the validity of this Agreement. If any term of provision of
this Agreement is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, or
otherwise unenforceable, the same shall not affect the other terms or provisions hereof or
the whole of this Agreement. The article headings used are for reference and convenience
only, and shall not enter into the interpretation of this Agreement. This Agreement makes
up the entire agreement between the Parties. No alterations, modifications, amendments,
or changes in this Agreement shall be effective or binding on any Party, unless the same
is in writing and signed by both Parties. There are no understandings or agreements
relating to this Agreement which are not fully expressed in this Agreement. This
Agreement supersedes any prior agreements, understandings, restrictions, prohibitions,
and/or limitations between the Parties whether written or oral, and they affirm by their
signatures below that this is their definitive understanding unless modified in writing by
them. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to
be an original, but all of which, when taken together, will constitute one and the same
Agreement.
12. Notices: Electronic communications shall be deemed acceptable whenever under this
Agreement one Party is required to give notice to the other. Notice to Contractor shall be
to the following email address: jcase@iowalabor.com; Notice to Client shall be to the
following email address: geoff-fruin@iowa-city.org
13. Force Majeure: The Parties shall be excused from performance under this Agreement for
any period such Party is prevented from performing any services pursuant hereto, in
whole or in part, as a result of an Act of God, war, civil disturbance, court order, labor
dispute or other cause beyond its reasonable control.
Contractor and Client have caused this Agreement and all applicable parts to be signed and
delivered by their duly authorized representatives, as of the Effective Date.
Jesse Case
Signature: __________________________________
Date: ___________________
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City of Iowa City
By: ________________________________
Bruce Teague, City Manager
Date: ___________________
Attest:___________________________________
Kellie K. Fruehling, City Clerk
Date: __________________
Approved:________________________________
City Attorney’s Office