To the Editor:
I am embarrassed that Old Lyme’s values have been poorly represented by First Selectman Tim Griswold. Over a year ago, in August 2020, Selectwoman Mary Jo Nosal proposed that the Board of Selectmen adopt a resolution declaring racism a public health crisis, as well as measures to address it. Despite the fact that the Connecticut legislature and numerous municipalities have adopted similar resolutions, First Selectman Griswold, joined by fellow Republican Selectman Chris Kerr, rejected that proposal, arguing that Old Lyme did not have a racism problem. Selectwoman Nosal has repeated her request every month since, to no avail; Mr. Griswold has refused even to put the topic on the Board of Selectmen agenda for consideration or to discuss what revisions to the words of the resolution he would support.
The question is not, of course, whether Old Lyme residents are racists, but rather whether we will clearly and publicly acknowledge that racism is a societal problem (public health and more) which Old Lyme soundly opposes. The refusal of our town leadership to recognize this reality sends the contrary message, much to our shame and the dismay of most of our citizens.
Martha Shoemaker and Jim Lampos support taking a stand on this very important issue. Our town’s embarrassment will end if they are elected on November 2.
Sincerely,
William J. Belluzzi,
Old Lyme.
Editor’s Note: The author is a Democratic member of the Old Lyme Affordable Housing Commission.
What kind of evidence it there that racism is a problem in Old Lyme, let alone a ‘public health crisis’? It sounds like Mr. Belluzzi is trying to create a problem that does not exist, provocatively playing the race card. Does this attempt fall into the ‘woke’ or ‘cancel culture’ or ‘critical race theory’ categories?
It depends what kind of racism you’re talking about in Old Lyme. If you’re asking about the systemic racism, to which this resolution speaks, then yes, Zoning that keeps property values high (minimum lot size requirements, lack of multi-family housing (in the form of duplexes or very small apartment buildings, lack of rentals, etc.) and prevents low and middle income families from accessing the resources our town offers like high quality schools is one such example, this does not only effect black/brown families, or other minority families, but it does disproportionately effect those families. Many homes in town were deeded so they could only be sold to white families. Redlining by realtors and banks is something that was happening when many current residents were purchasing their homes. Even today loan there is evidence that it is more difficult for minority families to get a reasonable mortgage. Some of these are things the town can impact, some are not, but the resolution is mostly about saying that we’re committed to doing better.
Are you talking about incidents of overt racially motivated actions occurring within the Old Lyme community? in that case, yes. I can tell you I first hand witnessed a woman pull her car over on Lyme St and yell “All Lives Matter” at a black family walking on the side walk. Last year a family had their large “Black Lives Matter” signs run over by a large truck (by large signs I mean 4+ foot long plywood signs, and large tire tracks across the family’s lawn…not something done by accident). We currently have a resident state trooper on administrative leave for allegedly shouting racial slurs at someone on Main St in Old Saybrook. Multiple students from the high school have come forward saying they have experienced racism at school.
This is not an attempt at being “woke” or “canceling” anyone. This is an acknowledgement that we try to learn from our past to do better moving forward. To learn that colorblindness actually did a lot of harm and it is far better to see and acknowledge different cultures and experiences and recognize that different experiences are important and policy needs to be implemented with an equitable approach.
As far as critical race theory goes, you tell me what you think critical race theory is.
R. P. Curt: We certainly don’t agree with your assertion that Mr. Belluzzi is attempting to “create a problem that does not exist, provocatively playing the race card”.
As he noted, this all began when Selectwoman Nosal simply proposed a statement of values, urging Old Lyme’s BOS to resolve to address racism as a public health crisis, and assure that all residents enjoy the same opportunities, regardless of race color, or creed. Her resolution did not condemn the Town or its residents.
We know that “woke” or “cancel” was never part of her draft resolution.
Further, we don’t know whether you would consider the following as evidence, but, as also alluded to by Mr. Belluzzi, Old Lyme would have joined the more than twenty CT towns and cities that, by May, had already declared racism a public health crisis; and more than five states, 90 cities, and 65 counties that have also done so. We would have also joined such learned bodies as the American Medical Association, the American College of Emergency Physicians, the American Psychological Association, the American Public Health Association, and the CDC.
As he also mentioned, CT’s House and Senate have joined all the above, and created a commission to address racial inequities in health care.
My attitude toward the resolution is different. The resolution plainly does not accuse Old Lyme of being racist, or even address that question. It acknowledges that racism is a problem for our country–which includes all of us. Racism anywhere, in health care or otherwise, is wrong, bad for the country, and bad for us in Old Lyme. We should therefore be willing to take steps to combat it, wherever it arises. I would hope we could all agree with that and be willing to say so as a community. Adopting the resolution would not suggest that Old Lyme is racist; it would signify our opposition to racism.
I must be missing something. What is the public health crisis that exists for blacks in Old Lyme? Please describe it.
If your point is that few Blacks live in Old Lyme that, regrettably, is true. However on a statistical basis, the data would indicate that their health care and outcomes are not as good as whites. But that is absolutely not the point. The resolution is not aimed at how we treat Blacks living in Old Lyme; it addresses the stand we are willing to take publicly against racism in society generally.
So you choose not to answer te question/