City officials in Austin, Texas, invited employees to racially segregated “anti-racism” meetings where “white people” were discouraged from attending meetings reserved for “people of color.” I was asked.
According to a January email obtained by Fox News Digital, an equity and inclusion coordinator for the city of Austin’s Parks and Recreation Department attended two separate racially-separated training sessions as part of an “equity and inclusion program.” It was revealed that employees were invited to participate in an “anti-racism affinity space” organized by the company.
“For People of Color*: Once a month, PARD employees of color meet at various locations around the city,” the email reads. “The first 1.5 hours will be dedicated to fostering dialogue, and the last 30 minutes will be dedicated to networking. This monthly space is a great way to gather and connect with other PARD employees of color, and to engage in racial We provide an opportunity for people to share about our personal and professional experiences with discrimination. Learn about mentorship and employment opportunities for professional development.”
This explanation is followed by an asterisk disclaimer explaining that the Feb. 22 meeting was for “people of color” only.
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Cyclists pass below the downtown skyline on the Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail in Austin, Texas (Reuters/Julia Robinson)
“In order to foster brave and safe spaces for participants, we ask that people who are not people of color do not participate in these spaces,” the email said.
The email goes on to explain what will happen at a rally for “white people” on February 26th.
“Once a month, white PARD employees gather at various locations around the city. The first 1.5 hours are spent facilitating dialogue and the last 30 minutes are dedicated to networking,” the email said. “In this space, white people can share their ongoing learning about anti-racism, explore their role in disrupting racism both inside and outside of work, hold each other accountable in this work, and encourage people of color to They will actively practice solidarity with PARD employees of all races and communities of color. ”
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Austin, Texas (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
The “white” meetings did not contain disclaimers imposing conditions on who should attend.
Fox News Digital was told by a source that “staff of all races were upset” by the email, and several Austin residents also expressed concern about the concept of holding separate trainings for each race. He reportedly expressed his disgust.
“It’s terrible that the city is separating its employees by race and telling white employees they can’t attend certain meetings,” Austin District Attorney Adam Lowy told Fox News Digital. . “This is racism and should be condemned. Black employees should be excluded from meetings. We are shocked that this is happening.”
Dennis Farris, president of the Austin Police Retired Officers Association, told Fox News Digital: “They seem to have missed a golden opportunity to bring everyone together, and instead what they’re proposing is divisive at best and divisive at worst. That’s racist,” he said.
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“There have been multiple issues with homeless people living in the park, most recently a young man was attacked with a machete that changed his life forever. This is what the Park Service is concerned about,” Farris added. recent attacks A 19-year-old boy walks along a path at Auditorium Shores Park in Austin.
Farris continued, “And the Equity and Inclusion department doesn’t seem to be for, in their words, ‘white people’, but more interested in pitting colleagues against each other. Flipping through the flyer. Can you imagine if I told you that people of color were not allowed at a rally for white people? What would their reaction be? This is no different. seems to be actively promoting it.
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Specially segregated “affinity groups” have grown in popularity in recent years as part of an overall DEI push by the progressive left, with opponents pushing to eliminate that type of training from public institutions and city governments. I’m looking for it.
In Massachusetts in 2022, a lawsuit by a nonprofit group forced a school district to withdraw from hosting racially segregated “affinity groups.”
Similar controversial situations have occurred in Washington, DC, Chicago, Illinois, Indianapolis, Indiana, and several other cities across the country.
Some states, including Florida, have moved to ban DEI funding all together, arguing that it promotes exclusion rather than inclusion.
A spokesperson for the Austin Parks and Recreation Department said in a statement to Fox News Digital that an apology has been issued regarding the email.
“Department leadership is aware of an email sent to city Parks and Recreation Department officials regarding efforts to establish an anti-racist group,” the statement said. “The email was not vetted and did not reflect the department’s values. And within 24 hours, the department issued a retraction email apologizing for excluding employees in all areas.”
“The Department remains committed to ensuring that all employees benefit from collaboration and professional development that includes all employees.The original email sought to reassure participants and share their personal experiences. Although separate racial groups were identified to encourage, the purpose of the email/group was to: create a supportive, rather than exclusive, environment to share their lived experiences; and identify ways to improve the relationship culture of the department.”
