As two of the founding commissioners of the Human Rights Commission and also serving as vice-chair and chair, respectively, it was with dismay that we read of the state of the commission.
The reported level of discourse demeans the commission and its members. The personalized characterizations against others is beneath the dignity and restraint required for a body that, above all other city bodies, citizens would expect to practice civility and respectfulness.
Statements made in jest or in earnest in social media or as a matter of public record that run contrary to those standards are counter-productive to the important role and work of the commission.
When the commission was created it was never meant to be an adjudicatory body. It was created to be an educational and advocacy entity – yes, where citizens or groups could file complaints – but not where the commission would make any kind of declaratory judgment. The founding commissioners worked hard to develop rules of procedures and a mission statement so we could get down to the work we were charged to do on behalf of the city and its citizens.
We did not expect or wait for the mayor to give us guidance or tell us what we should be doing – that is why we were appointed – to identify, create and perform that work.
Accordingly, working with local institutions – schools, places of worship, bookstores – we co-sponsored events and instituted various educational initiatives to teach children and adults about human rights.
When necessary, we spoke out against injustice, as when the rainbow flag at the Unitarian Society was destroyed. We spoke regularly at the Pride Day rally. Because of our various efforts and activities, the city was certified by the Anti-Defamation League in Boston as one of the first “No Place for Hate” communities in the state.
We urge the commission to again find the difficult high ground of always respecting differences, tolerating opinions not like one’s own, speaking temperately with truthfulness rather than hyperbole, promoting educational and advocacy initiatives that build bridges and thereby community.
To do otherwise only affirms the politics of division and vulgarism which is rampant in today’s climate.
Dennis Helmus and Marjorie Hess live in Northampton.