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Date: 2/16/2022
HADLEY – The Hadley Committee for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (CDEI) met for their Feb. 7 meeting and gave a summary of some of the work they have so far accomplished in town.
The CDEI compiled a list of existing programs, activities, and policies that town of Hadley individuals, officials, agencies, institutions and businesses have in place to promote anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion in the community. CDEI Clerk Pat Rissmeyer spoke on behalf of the committee in talking about some of the items on their list.
Rissmeyer said through conversations with these individuals they learned of many programs in town that help this effort.
She mentioned Hadley Learns, an inclusive group of parents and college students, teens and seniors who offer a safe space for learning and discussing difficult topics and spark action towards anti-racism. In the past and still ongoing, Hadley Learns has done book readings and discussions, lectures on racism in the U.S. and other types of media in helping educate people in the community.
The CDEI is also had co-sponsored The Hadley World Fair with Hadley Learns and the Hadley Senior Center last August. The Hadley World fair is a multi-cultural, inter-generational community event and invites community members to prepare and share a main dish or dessert representative of their ethnic heritage.
Rissmeyer also credited the Council on Aging for their work done. They will be having a public conversation that chronicles history of enslaved people and servants in Hadley in March, and also have an on-line anti-racism resources list. The Council on Aging also is partnered with the library in joint programming about the history of civil rights as it connects to today’s struggles. The CDEI continued to brainstorm other programs and opportunities that meet their mission goal of teaching, learning and becoming a more inclusive community.
When talking about where to go with their current feedback, co-chair Margaret Mastrangelo said in order to be working for diversity, equity and inclusion, affordable housing is a good option to meet some of those needs. Committee member Wayne Abercrombie added that they would have to go more in depth on the possibilities in assisting creating change such as that and could be something they address at a later meeting once more thought is put into what is needed.
On the CDEI page on the town website they write, “We want to learn how it feels to live here, and how we can help all who live here feel recognized and welcomed … We encourage people to give us comments and information about their experiences, so we can pursue our mission.”
The CDEI encourages residents to reach out and provide any suggestions they feel should be heard that will improve the community’s openness.