OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Oshkosh unanimously passed an ordinance for a diversity, equity and inclusion committee at Tuesday’s council meeting.
Protests have been happening across the nation, and in Oshkosh, following George Floyd’s death.
But Oshkosh City Manager Mark Rohloff tells FOX 11 creating this committee has been in the works for years.
“This is something we’ve been tracking with our community surveys, and the community feels that we need to do a better job of that.”
Forty-two percent of Oshkosh residents said the city is a “welcoming, inclusive community” in a 2019 survey.
“The goal of the creation of the diversity, equity and inclusion community is to provide a platform for people in our community,” Oshkosh Mayor Lori Palmeri said.
Fox Valley community members who want change made their voices heard Tuesday night.
“We need African American negroes and women to be a part of the board, we need them to be a part of the justice system as well, we need them on our police force, we more black teachers in the schools. At the end of the day, we can be here and we can speak and be heard, but are they actually going to listen and made a change?” Darren Fields, a local activist, said.
The committee will have nine members with staggered terms.
“We could see a committee forming sometime in July even,” Rohloff said.
Activists hope it will happen soon.
“Until there is a change we’re going to forever be in this 20th century of where we are now. The reality. It’s not about changing the history, it’s about changing the reality for the future,” Fields said.
The council wants to spend $20,000 on diversity training for staff, according to Rohloff.
This item will be taken up again by council in two weeks to work out final details.
