HomeMy WebLinkAbout42. 21-294MAY 25, 2021 21-294 RESOLUTION
(CARRIED__7-0_____ LOST _______ LAID OVER _______ WITHDRAWN _______)
PURPOSE: APPROVE DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION COMMITTEE
RECOMMENDATION REGARDING STANDING IN SOLIDARITY
WITH THE ASIAN PACIFIC ISLANDER DESI AMERICAN
(APIDA) COMMUNITY
INITIATED BY: DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION COMMITTEE
WHEREAS, Oshkosh is deeply committed to honoring its broad diversity,
including the 2100+ residents of the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA)
community, a diaspora that contributes to our community and country’s expansion of
culture, progress and achievement; and
WHEREAS, the month of May is federally recognized as Asian Pacific American
Heritage Month to celebrate the invaluable contributions of the APIDA community to the
development and richness of this country’s history; and
WHEREAS, there have been a documented increase of incidents of anti-Asian
discrimination and hate crimes which impact community members of all ages,
exacerbated by xenophobia around the coronavirus; and
WHEREAS, this modern form of discrimination falls within a long-established
historical pattern of scapegoating or characterizing Asians as “perpetual foreigners,”
invasive threats,” or as “the other” that has contributed to erasure of identity, lack of
visibility in the dominant culture, and negative health effects in our APIDA communities;
and
WHEREAS, Mayor Lori Palmeri recently announced that “hate has no home” in
Oshkosh and stands with the APIDA community in condemning all acts of
discrimination and violence, especially when targeting individuals based on their
perceived race; and
WHEREAS, the City of Oshkosh remains fully committed to holding a vision of
recognizing diversity as a key strength of our community, celebrating the unique
MAY 25, 2021 21-294 RESOLUTION
CONT’D
contributions of all its members, and nurturing a sense of belonging to each individual;
and
WHEREAS, each of us has a civic responsibility to disrupt the spread of
misinformation, condemn violent acts in any form, to honor all fellow community
members, and to reject stigma, hate, and bias in all its forms; and
WHEREAS, in the coming months, the City of Oshkosh will enhance its efforts and
opportunities to collectively engage in combating virulent acts of racism, intolerance, and
xenophobia, and to protect all members of our community from crimes, especially those
based on the race or identity of our residents and visitors.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Common Council of the City of
Oshkosh that the City of Oshkosh does hereby proclaim our renewed and ongoing
commitment to be a diverse and inclusive community, so that all who live and work in,
and visit Oshkosh feel welcomed.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Oshkosh strongly condemns acts of violence
based on race, nationality, sexuality, gender, disability, or religion, rejects hate and bias,
and we urge all residents to unite together in solidarity with our APIDA community and
neighbors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oshkosh Common Council recognizes the
City of Oshkosh Police Department in its continuing work with local agencies and APIDA
community-based organizations to prevent discrimination, expand culturally competent
and linguistically appropriate education campaigns, and build intentional relationships
with the diverse communities.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oshkosh Common Council encourages all
community members to condemn anti-Asian bias and to seek opportunities to experience
cultures other than their own, review practices that may create barriers or contribute to
systemic racism, and in these ways become a more welcoming, inclusive community.