The Troy Human Relations Commission will meet on Wednesday evening at City Hall. The September 16th meeting begins at 6:00 p.m. and will be the third meeting of the commission of the year. While the commission seems to have a light agenda, now is a great time to highlight the work of this organization.
What The Human Relations Commission Does
The Human Relations Commission was originally established by City Council in 1982, but laid dormant until it was reestablished in the early 2020s. The commission has five main objectives, outlined in the city’s code of ordinances:
To study the problems of inter-group relationships, including but not limited to those relationships which involve age, race, physical or mental handicaps, poverty or sex as a basis for distinction, within the City and advise and cooperate with the Mayor, Council, the Service and Safety Director and all other City agencies, boards and officials with respect to any such problems.
To enlist the cooperation of all racial, religious, ethnic, educational, community, civic, labor, fraternal and benevolent groups, associations and societies and all constructive community forces and talents necessary to combat misunderstanding, prejudice, intolerance and bigotry in inter-group relationships.
To cooperate with federal, State and City agencies, the Board of Education and the parochial schools in formulating and developing courses of education to combat misunderstanding, prejudice, intolerance and bigotry in inter-group relationships.
To receive and investigate complaints, including, but not limited to, the following categories: age discrimination, handicapped discrimination, poverty discrimination, racial discrimination, and sex discrimination. To initiate and conduct surveys concerning the foregoing categories. To confer with any and all groups, hold hearings, make investigations and assemble pertinent data concerning the foregoing categories.
To endeavor by persuasion and education, to induce public and private employers, labor and professional organizations and employment agencies to institute nondiscriminatory practices in employment, union membership, promotion, wages, working conditions, lay-offs, job opportunities and housing and public accommodations.
Working within that regulatory framework, the Human Relations Commission adopted a set of action principles, that help guides the work of not only the commission, but the entire community:
We believe no matter your race, gender, identity, orientation, abilities, cultural practices, political views, or religious affiliation. Everyone deserves to have the opportunity to thrive and to be treated with respect.
We encourage robust, respectful discussion in support of a healthy and productive community, and we condemn discrimination and acts of hate.
We serve our diverse community by bringing different experiences and perspectives to our citizens, businesses, and visitors, but we are all part of the Trojan family. We must each take responsibility and action to provide respect and caring for others in every interaction, expecting the same from everyone around us.
We support our community. If you experience discrimination, harassment, or other harm - or you become aware of the same - please report it to the commission.
Given the nearly non-existent budget provided to the Commission, this citizen’s group has actually done quite a bit of work over the past few years.
The Work of the Commission
The Commission spearheaded work to create the annual Juneteenth festivities, which highlights a parade and an event at McKaig-Race Park. In addition, the Human Relations Commission has completed, with the assistance of the Museum of Troy History and the Troy-Miami County Public Library History’s Department, a pamphlet outlining a walking tour of fifteen African-American Historical Sites. Including six buildings in Troy that were part of the Underground Railroad that helped enslaved people from the American South find freedom in the North.
To learn more about the Human Relations Commission, attending their meeting would be a great first step. The commission will meet September 16th at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers at the City Building. You can also learn more about the commission through their website.
Announcing our September Community Survey!
Every other month, this publication takes time to ask our readers how they feel about the happenings in their hometown! What are the challenges? What are the opportunities? Is your hometown headed in the right direction? Our survey is the easiest way for you to express your thoughts. Next month, this publication will report out on the results.
Thanks for your time and your participation! It is greatly appreciated!
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