‘Hard work’ lies ahead for Bellingham after community meetings on social justice
Bellingham City Council members discussed the recent Listening Series on Race and Justice and said they took its messages to heart — especially what they said was courageous personal testimony about prejudice and bigotry faced by local Black, indigenous and other people of color.
“If there was one thing that seemed to permeate, it was that there is a lack of trust from people in marginalized communities,” Mayor Seth Fleetwood said during an online committee meeting Monday, Aug. 24.
“The harder work really does begin now,” he said.
Fleetwood called for such a series of community meetings in early June, as rallies, marches and other events were held to protest the killing of George Floyd and other unarmed people of color killed by police.
Four events were held via online meeting app in July and August.
The series was sponsored by the city of Bellingham, Whatcom County, Lummi Nation and Western Washington University.
Even though the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, Whatcom County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and the Bellingham Police Department were original event sponsors, they didn’t participate formally.
Officials hoped the series would provide ideas to effect change and to create a public, historic record of people’s experiences.
“How do we make sure that the flame doesn’t go out?” asked Councilwoman Hollie Huthman. “The effect of all these people who spilled their guts and bared their souls that we take that and keep going.”
Several council members said they wished that the events could have been held in a more personal setting, so they could make eye contact and show empathy to those who spoke.
“I did miss the ability to be seen on screen and nod my head to show I was listening,” Councilwoman Lisa Anderson said. “Some of it was not easy for folks to share. Some of it was difficult to listen to.”
City Council members said they already have taken several steps toward social change:
▪ More people are being assigned to home detention or other alternatives to incarceration.
▪ Discussions have begun to establish a 24/7 crisis response for mental health, substance abuse and other public health needs.
▪ Discussions have begun to create civilian or independent oversight of the Police Department.
Fleetwood said he would meet soon with Whatcom County Executive Satpal Sidhu to discuss possible next steps.
“It’s not going away. The Listening Series was just the beginning,” he said.
