Human Rights Commission plans student-senior dialogue, Juneteenth event to expand community outreach

Advocate Staff Report

The Revere Human Rights Commission is working to better integrate itself and its mission into the community. At their meeting last week, the commission began planning two events meant to make connections with different groups in the city, particularly students.

First up is a plan to sponsor a dialogue between senior citizens and seniors at Revere High School. Commissioner Sheila Johnson said the goal of the event is to allow the two groups to engage in conversation and to forge a connection. Commission Chair Chai Hossaini said that given the friction between generations, a conversation would be a good starting point to bridge the diverse groups.

Dr. Lourenco Garçia, the Assistant Superintendent of Equity and Inclusion for Revere Public Schools, fully supported the project but felt the commission needs to include some structure, such as questions for the group to consider and answer, and a facilitator from the commission to lead the conversation. Johnson and Garcia will continue to fine tune plans for the event.

The commission is also planning an event for Juneteenth, the federal holiday celebrated on June 19 to commemorate the end of slavery. Commissioners were not sure whether they want to plan an educational event or a cultural celebration. However, they felt some type of event would be welcomed in Revere. Again, individual commissioners will work to develop options for a Juneteenth event that they hope will provide an opportunity for the commission to explain their mission and work within the community.

The commission’s Executive Director, Steven Morabito, summarized a letter from the city solicitor asking for clarification about the commission’s role and responsibilities. Morabito said that, according to the city ordinance that established the commission, it is an advisory and educational body whose goal is to promote good will, awareness and understanding within the city. Residents who believe they have been victims of discrimination can bring their concerns to the commission, which can mediate a conflict. However, the commission has no enforcement authority and no authority to issue penalties.

Morabito said, as executive director of the commission, it would be his job to assess any complaints about discrimination and to advise the board about any next steps. Morabito said he would use a questionnaire designed to determine cases of actual discrimination. That information would be used to refer residents to the most appropriate resources, such as the Attorney General’s office, the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) or whatever state agency or organization is best suited to offer assistance.

Commissioner Garcia said that oftentimes people with a discrimination complaint just want to be heard. Garcia proposed developing a clear statement about what the commission can and cannot do. He said people assume the Human Rights Commission can hear a complaint and take corrective and punitive action. “That’s not the case,” said Garcia. “That’s not our job. Our job is to listen and find resources to assist people.”