News-Record Counterpoint
appeared July 6, 2018 (submitted June 25)
June 25, 2018
appeared July 6, 2018 (submitted June 25)
June 25, 2018
Counterpoint: City has duty to address unsafe housing
(Original title: An End to “Our Clients”, 400 words)
On May 26, 2018, the News-Record editorial proclaimed there were “no words” to describe the May 12 deaths of five kids at the Summit-Cone apartments.
Here are some words the News-Record couldn’t find.
It’s the responsibility of our mayor and elected city council members to ensure the safety of Greensboro residents. They must intervene to end the exclusive control of privately contracted refugee service agencies over “their clients” which include Summit-Cone families. Our leaders must direct City offices and departments to conduct a full investigation through Human Relations and its civilian-led Human Relations Commission and International Advisory Committee. And, as required for such an investigation, they must direct cooperation and resources. Only a broad investigation can describe the systemic dysfunction in which refugee agencies knowingly place vulnerable families into dangerous housing, landlords like the Agapions thrive, and fire officials readily admit they have little experience working with newcomer communities despite their presence for decades. Whether they know it or not, every city council member has significant numbers of newcomer constituents in their districts. It’s up to them to listen, learn and then act. Opting out is not their option.
In Greensboro, we are fortunate to have allies and experts in poverty, housing, health, social work, education and community building. Representatives from newcomer communities are competent, knowledgeable and linguistically and culturally competent to bridge gaps. Refugee agencies, which only work with newcomers for a very short time, occupy center stage in almost all conversations when tragedy strikes, as if other organizations and offices were bystanders. Vague, short-term goals for which the agencies are rewarded are not the strong foundations for thriving families or a welcoming, livable city.
When city officials accept agencies’ assurances, “We got this”, instead of providing oversight they set the stage for another perfect storm of tragedy and lack of accountability. Those who have championed a multicultural Greensboro might have believed that criticism of resettlement agencies would trigger a cascade of anti-immigrant hate and endanger the arrival of future newcomers. Lax attitudes have brought both. If fixes are to come, we’ll need leaders who don’t buy binary portrayals of immigrants as either “sad stories” or brilliant successes. We need facts and resolution. First, newcomers (many of whom are citizens) have civil rights. Second, agencies, organizations and businesses like the Agapions’ are accountable if they’re operating here. Third, we can fix this and make a better city for all.
(Original title: An End to “Our Clients”, 400 words)
On May 26, 2018, the News-Record editorial proclaimed there were “no words” to describe the May 12 deaths of five kids at the Summit-Cone apartments.
Here are some words the News-Record couldn’t find.
It’s the responsibility of our mayor and elected city council members to ensure the safety of Greensboro residents. They must intervene to end the exclusive control of privately contracted refugee service agencies over “their clients” which include Summit-Cone families. Our leaders must direct City offices and departments to conduct a full investigation through Human Relations and its civilian-led Human Relations Commission and International Advisory Committee. And, as required for such an investigation, they must direct cooperation and resources. Only a broad investigation can describe the systemic dysfunction in which refugee agencies knowingly place vulnerable families into dangerous housing, landlords like the Agapions thrive, and fire officials readily admit they have little experience working with newcomer communities despite their presence for decades. Whether they know it or not, every city council member has significant numbers of newcomer constituents in their districts. It’s up to them to listen, learn and then act. Opting out is not their option.
In Greensboro, we are fortunate to have allies and experts in poverty, housing, health, social work, education and community building. Representatives from newcomer communities are competent, knowledgeable and linguistically and culturally competent to bridge gaps. Refugee agencies, which only work with newcomers for a very short time, occupy center stage in almost all conversations when tragedy strikes, as if other organizations and offices were bystanders. Vague, short-term goals for which the agencies are rewarded are not the strong foundations for thriving families or a welcoming, livable city.
When city officials accept agencies’ assurances, “We got this”, instead of providing oversight they set the stage for another perfect storm of tragedy and lack of accountability. Those who have championed a multicultural Greensboro might have believed that criticism of resettlement agencies would trigger a cascade of anti-immigrant hate and endanger the arrival of future newcomers. Lax attitudes have brought both. If fixes are to come, we’ll need leaders who don’t buy binary portrayals of immigrants as either “sad stories” or brilliant successes. We need facts and resolution. First, newcomers (many of whom are citizens) have civil rights. Second, agencies, organizations and businesses like the Agapions’ are accountable if they’re operating here. Third, we can fix this and make a better city for all.
