I am thinking today about the line in our church mission statement--we celebrate diversity. We are lucky to be located in Maine’s most culturally and racially diverse city. To me, we celebrate diversity by being good allies to our city’s multi-cultural residents, and by working to create a city in which all people and cultures are celebrated and can feel safe and at home here.
What does it mean to be an ally? When I think about good allies, I think of Rachel Talbot-Ross, our city’s Equal Opportunity and Multicultural Affairs Director. I have only been in Portland less than five years, but I have seen Rachel everywhere--when African immigrants are feeling hassled by the police, she shows up to set up a dialogue. She does what she can to support grassroots organizations created by diverse residents, like Tengo Voz, which empowers Latina women. On a personal note, she has been there for me too, by standing up to support equal marriage for same sex couples. Anyone I meet who cares about justice and equality will say how tirelessly Rachel works for everyone who might be marginalized or in the minority.
I am thinking about this today because the budget proposed by City Manager Joe Gray would cut the position Rachel holds from full-time to part-time. I haven’t seen much about it in the news, but I believe this work is much more important to our city than fireworks on the fourth of July. I know that times are really tough for cities trying to function with less revenue. But in difficult times, it is even more critical to be paying attention to multi-cultural issues. We’ve seen scapegoating and hate rise in other parts of our nation--people who are hurting are quick to blame those they see as further down the ladder than they are. We want to do all we can to keep that from happening here.
I also believe that all politics is personal. I value the friendship that I have been growing with Rachel, in our common commitment to justice. To be an ally is to stand with someone who has been there standing with you. For all of these reasons, I wrote a letter to the city finance committee expressing my dismay at the proposed plan, and attended their first budget meeting. If this position is cut to part-time, we have to ask ourselves how feasible it would be that as strong and dedicated person as Rachel Talbot Ross would be able to continue in the position. And it would be a horrible loss if she had to leave.
If this issue stirs your soul, there is still a little time to add your voice. (You can phone or send an email to our City Council. http://www.portlandmaine.gov/citycou.htm) Our city will only be as diverse and welcoming as we engage in making it that way. Blessed be.
Rev. Myke
