TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2003
Good Evening:
My name is Shenandoah Titus, and I am the Executive Director and Department Head of the City of Somerville Human Rights Commission. Before offering my brief comments, allow me to make two preliminary points.
First, as a matter of principle, understand that the Human Rights Commission feels passionately about this issue, and our views - like our backgrounds - are wonderfully diverse. The Commission is composed of caring, sensitive people, who do not wish to see the Police running rampart and unchecked; nor does the Commission wish to see law-abiding residents, living in constant fear for their safety, and the safety of their children and loved ones. We need a balance.
Secondly, contrary to the assumptions of a few, I am not here tonight as a "yes man" for Mayor Dorothy Kelly Gay. For the record, ever since this proposed legislation came into existence, Mayor Kelly Gay has not once hinted, implied, or in any way sought to influence my views on this matter. As far as I am concerned, she has behaved honorably and above reproach.
Therefore, the testimony that I offer before this distinguished committee, is based upon my professional and personal sense, of what is right. For those who would disagree with my views tonight, do not see the Mayor afterwards; do not see the Human Rights Commission afterwards - please, see me.
For many people, this proposed Ordinance, is an intellectual issue. It is an issue of liberal vs. conservative ideology. Such views should be heard, and given genuine consideration, as we are struggling with this problem together. But despite the many academic degrees that I have been blessed to achieve, for me this proposed Ordinance is not an intellectual matter - for professional and personal reasons.
Professionally, as Somerville's chief human rights official, I have had victims of gang violence, and/or their families, in my office. When parents are sitting only a few feet from you, with tears flowing from their eyes, hands and feet trembling in fear and nervousness, and when these individuals are pleading with you, for the safety and protection of their children and loved ones, believe me this is not an intellectual situation.
Many people, of all races and ethnic backgrounds, young and old, have said to me - Mr. Titus, what about my rights to live in peace and safety; to send my child out to the comer store for a gallon of milk, without having to pray for my child's safe return; to allow my children to play in our neighborhood, without constant fear of that dreaded knock on the door, by Police Officers delivering the crushing news of a tragedy? Mr. Titus, do we as law-abiding residents, have human rights also?
On a personal note, I was born and raised in the south. As a southerner, I probably have more personal experience with Police racial profiling, than most people in this auditorium. I have been stopped for driving while Black, walking while Black, jogging while Black, and yes, shopping while Black.
With such personal experience, I bring a unique sensitivity to this issue, and there is no way under the sun, that I could ever support a law that I felt was inherently racist. How could I, of all people, help give Police Officers a tool designed to cause, the indignity that I have suffered, so many times?
Now we come to the heart of the question. Do I, as Somerville's Human Rights Director, and as an African American male, feel that the proposed Gang Ordinance is inherently evil, or racist? My answer, emphatically, is that I do not. Do I feel that this Ordinance, if passed, will lead to widespread Police abuse and racial profiling? I do not.
Do I feel that this proposed Ordinance is ill-conceived, and has denied any resident a fair chance of public input? I do not. And do I feel that this proposed Ordinance, is perfect in every way, and will, by itself solve the problem of gangs? Emphatically. I do not.
The City's Board of Aldermen, upon careful reflection, unanimously endorsed the proposed Gang Ordinance. The City's Mayor, upon careful reflection, signed the proposed Ordinance. I do not believe that any of these officials, bear in their heart a desire to see the rights and dignity, of any resident trampled. Nor do I feel the city's representatives, have acted recklessly, in carrying out their responsibilities.
We have in place certain checks and balances, which will assure that Police Officers are not given a free hand, should this proposed legislation become law. You, the residents of Somerville, passed a broad and forceful Human Rights Ordinance 10 years ago, which grants the Human Rights Department full investigative authority, throughout the city, including alleged human rights violations, on the part of the Police Dept. It is one of the strongest Human Rights statutes across New England.
Mayor Kelly Gay has stood firmly, behind the enforcement responsibilities of the Human Rights Dept., and she makes no exceptions and creates no interference, when it comes to the duties of this office. Indeed, even in the midst of devastating financial times, she has personally seen to it that your human rights remain guarded, by a fully functioning Human Rights Dept.
Should this proposed Ordinance become law, the Human Rights Commission will rededicate our efforts, toward helping Somerville balance public safety, with civil rights protection.
We believe in the rights of all children to live and play in safety, and in the rights of all men and women to enjoy the peace and quiet, of the homes that they work so hard to afford. We believe in the rights of every race and ethnic group, to proudly call Somerville their home, and to live free from abuse of any sort. And we believe that this community is strong enough to work together, to deal with any problems that this enactment might bring.
On these principles, both personal and professional, I gladly extend my trust and full confidence, in the collective judgment of our city representatives. That, I respectfully submit, is where I stand.
Thank you.
Shenandoah Titus