Turning the Tide on Hate and Racism in Tompkins County is a Project for All of Us (2024)

6 August 2024

How does it feel to know Black educators in our community face threats of racial violence? What do you think of reports that Black farmers feel unwelcome and experience harassment? Or the tragic irony of children targeted by racial slurs and insults in Stewart Park on the Fourth of July?

We call attention to these events to condemn the brazen, racist targeting and threats of recent occurrence in our community. Acts of racist hate have no place in any community.

Admittedly, it should not take a tide of several instances for us to speak up and speak out against targeted harassment in our community.

We commit to speaking up and using our platforms to condemn hate and foster dialogue. Calling out and addressing hate is our civic duty.

We support community-based efforts to stand up to and call out racism and harassment. We also acknowledge the role government and other institutions play in preventing and responding to such acts.

It is essential to center the experiences of those who have been directly impacted by these acts of racial hatred. The pain and trauma endured by individuals who are targeted simply because of their race cannot be overstated. Their stories remind us of the urgent need for solidarity and support. As a community, we must stand together to support those who have been affected, both directly and indirectly, by these occurrences. Empathy, understanding, and active support are crucial in fostering an environment where everyone feels safe and valued.

For those of you who participate in such hateful and aggressive behavior, you fail to acknowledge the humanity of those you target. The pain you directly inflict on others, who are in every respect your equal in dignity, worth and rights, affects the rest of us indirectly. Your actions further nothing but hate. We hope you will seek the higher ground of respect for and acceptance of those whose ethnicity is different from yours.

To those who want to foster justice and peace in our community, your role cannot be understated. If you are a bystander to prejudice, intervene by interrupting and challenging discriminatory situations. Report bias or hate incidents and illegal discrimination (you may seek support from our local Office of Human Rights). Use your voice. Seek common ground with those with whom you disagree. Get to know your neighbors and build community.

If you feel the way we do, then don’t be left stunned. Community is what we all make it. Get involved. Stay involved. Together we can turn the tide on hate and racism.

Signed,

Dr. Kenneth I. Clarke, Sr., Director, Tompkins County Human Rights

African Women's Initiative, Ithaca

Dr Aloja A. Airewele, Cornerstone Ministries

Dr. Peter Bardaglio, Trustee, New Roots Charter School

Jennifer Biloski, Trustee, Village of Cayuga Heights

Shawna Black, Vice Chair, Tompkins County Legislature

Jan Bridgeford-Smith, Executive Director, Women’s Opportunity Center of Tompkins and Onondaga Counties

Deana Bodnar, Deputy Commissioner, Tompkins County Dept. of Social Services

Katherine Borgella, Commissioner of Planning and Sustainability, Tompkins County

Andrew C Braman, Deputy Director of Finance, Tompkins County Finance Department

Laura Branca, Project Director, Dorothy Cotton Institute

Christina Brewington, Tompkins County Public Library Trustee

Travis Brooks, Tompkins County Legislator, District 1

Phoebe Brown, Alderwoman, Ward 1, City of Ithaca

Randy Brown, Legislator, Tompkins County District 8

Robert G. Cantelmo, Mayor of Ithaca

Cynthia Cave-Gaetani she/her, Executive Director, Cornell Cooperative Extension | Tompkins County

Amanda Champion, Legislature, Tompkins County District 12