With an eye toward building a more equitable San Jose, the City Council last week re-examined San Jose’s history and discussed racial inequities that have kept hundreds of immigrants — predominantly of Mexican descent — from keeping up economically with white residents.
A panel of three top experts on race and equity — Stephen Pitti, a Yale University professor, Leon Andrews, director of the educational group Race, Equity and Leadership for the National League of Cities and Julie Nelson, senior vice president of the new “racial justice” nonprofit Race Forward — spoke at Friday’s meeting. They informed the councilmembers on San Jose’s history, the role that elected officials have had in creating equitable societies, and on the need to recognize racial prejudices.
“I think we’re all committed to listening and learning, asking questions as to why things are the way they are, and finding solutions to make things better for all members of our community,” San Jose City Manager Dave Sykes said, expressing the value of the panel’s presentation.
Pitti, a professor of history, American studies and ethnicity, race and migration, outlined how the city’s history has sometimes stoked disparities between whites and nonwhites. Despite being a city that looks toward the future, Pitti said it’s important for the city to understand its past.
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