SOUTH DEERFIELD – As conversations around diversity, equity and inclusion continue, the Selectboard and residents are moving towards creating an ad-hoc Human Rights Committee.
While not finalized, the Selectboard is leaning toward starting with an ad-hoc committee to see how the mechanics of such a committee would work with Deerfield, with the potential final goal of establishing a Human Rights Commission similar to Greenfield and Northampton’s human rights commissions or Amherst’s Department of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
“I’m not looking to slow-walk the process,” said Selectboard Chair Trevor McDaniel. “I would like to learn more about the Human Rights Commission, what are the deliverables? When the rubber meets the road, what happens? … I envision that group doing stuff that will help the town find ways to work together that would be advantageous to the community.”
The push for some form of a Human Rights Committee or Commission was initiated by residents and the Deerfield Inclusion Group at the end of the summer. That long-standing conversation was continued at last Wednesday’s Selectboard meeting with residents voicing their support for a formal commission.
“It could certainly be an educational resource for a community,” said Deerfield Inclusion Group member Lu Vincent. “This is the time to create this commission.”
Resident Deborah Yaffe said a Human Rights Commission would provide a town outlet for people to bring their concerns to. The key, fellow Deerfield Inclusion Group member Grant Bialek added, is that the commission would be an “alternative venue” where people can share their concerns in a “place separate from authority figures.”
“A Human Rights Commission has to be a place of safety, where people can come when they have complaints, when they have issues and feel like they’re being heard,” Yaffe said. “I think a commission could serve Deerfield, serve the town, serve the Selectboard.”
Selectboard member Tim Hilchey said he can “see the value of having a commission,” but more research needs to be done by the town and residents before they make any sweeping moves just yet.
While there are no set dates or deadlines, residents interested in participating in an ad-hoc Human Rights Committee should keep an eye out at future Selectboard meetings and on the town website for more information. The board is set to meet again Wednesday night at 6 p.m.
Chris Larabee can be reached at clarabee@recorder.com or 413-930-4081.