Those who volunteer for duty on city commissions and committees understand that we serve at the pleasure of the mayor. However, the mayor’s decision not to reappoint current Human Rights Commission Chairman Dr. Daniel Yalowitz to an additional three-year term is mind-boggling when considering that our commission has struggled to maintain membership and a quorum in recent years.
A developmental and intercultural psychologist, tenured professor, trainer, and facilitator by trade, Daniel’s tenure on the Human Rights Commission brought organization, leadership, vision, focus and direction to our work and his loss will have a crippling effect on ehe commission’s ability to continue progressing forward.
The commission’s achievements during Daniel’s service include several public recognitions of human rights, recruitment and publicity efforts for commission awareness, the handling of several complaints presented to the commission, streamlining processes, framing various issues (housing, homelessness, etc.) as a human right, initiating dialogue and meetings with various city identities including the School Department and City Council, a forum on The Nature Gap, human rights-related movie screenings at The Greenfield Garden Cinema, public participation at our monthly meetings regarding sensitive issues and, most impressively, revising the commission’s mission statement which reads:
“Committing to enhancing the quality of life in Greenfield through promoting understanding, appreciation, and respect. The Human Rights Commission: Promotes a positive sense of community and unity based on our similarities and differences; Provides a forum for the promotion of dialogue, education, healing and celebration of our diversity; Investigates, mediates, responds and reports to the community on allegations of human rights violations; and Provides resources, direction and counsel.”
We also updated our Vision Statement under Daniel’s tutelage which reads: “Consideration for human rights is integrated into every decision made in the city of Greenfield and every citizen is empowered to advocate for the protection of their rights and the rights of others.”
It was because of Daniel’s drive that the commission was able to enjoy such success.
I spent a good portion of my 23-year military career and my current 15-year service in state government working on diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) issues. It is difficult, challenging, and uncomfortable work, but it comes with huge payoffs and dividends when institutions and organizations implement successful programs and culture shifts.
I joined the Human Rights Commission in 2019 because I wanted to offer my experience in DEI to the city. I was grateful to Mayor Martin for the appointment.
But DEI can only succeed when there is buy in at all levels of leadership to affect cultural change. In recent times, it has become apparent that as long as city politics takes center stage, meaningful cultural and attitude change cannot happen here.
I can only conclude that the mayor’s decision not to renew GHRC Chairman Yalowitz for a second term on the Committee (effective Dec. 31, 2022) is an example of her unwillingness to fairly and openly address DEI concerns or allow the Human Rights Commission to effectively operate in a truly independent advisory capacity.
To me, the mayor’s decision not to reassign the Human Rights Commission chairperson to a second term demonstrates the general dysfunction, abuse of power, and continued lack of transparency coming from the mayor’s office — not to mention the incredibly poor (and suspicious) timing. If voices of varying opinions and viewpoints are not allowed to speak and advise the mayor, then the work of the commission becomes meaningless.
Perhaps in a future review of the City Charter, the Human Rights Commission should be removed from the executive to allow for greater independence.
I cannot in good conscious continue to represent the commission and its mission when thinking about those individuals in our community who lack trust in having their concerns heard and their viewpoint understood.
Perception is reality, and status quo does not inspire confidence for those seeking a change of culture within the Greenfield City Government. The mayor’s decision not to reappoint Daniel smacks of privilege and favoritism. Therefore, I am submitting my resignation from the Human Rights Commission (ironically, I was recently reappointed to a second, three- year term) as a vote of no-confidence and a lack of faith in the mayor’s leadership. Prior to my departure, several other HRC commissioners including Wendy Goodman most recently, have resigned due to similar reasons.
I valued my opportunity to serve the commission and the city. I enjoyed the experience, but I am unable to successfully fulfill my personal ideals given the present political climate of the city.
I hope my resignation of protest from the Human Rights Commission will signal to the greater community that I do not agree with how the mayor has approached DEI issues confronting the city.
William “Wid” Perry lives in Greenfield and has served on the city’s Human Rights Commission since 2019.