At Issue #2216 - Combating community racism

WELCOME TO AT ISSUE. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US. I AM H. WAYNE WILSON. US. I AM H. WAYNE WILSON. FOR THE NEXT HALF-HOUR, WE ARE I AM H. WAYNE WILSON. FOR THE NEXT HALF-HOUR, WE ARE GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT AN FOR THE NEXT HALF-HOUR, WE ARE GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT AN ISSUE THAT MANY OF US HAD HOPED GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT AN ISSUE THAT MANY OF US HAD HOPED WOULD BE IN THE PAST, BUT IT IS ISSUE THAT MANY OF US HAD HOPED WOULD BE IN THE PAST, BUT IT IS STILL EXISTS, AND THAT IS OF WOULD BE IN THE PAST, BUT IT IS STILL EXISTS, AND THAT IS OF RACE RELATIONS. STILL EXISTS, AND THAT IS OF RACE RELATIONS. WE ARE GOING TO TALK TO RACE RELATIONS. WE ARE GOING TO TALK TO REPRESENTATIVES FROM PEORIA, WE ARE GOING TO TALK TO REPRESENTATIVES FROM PEORIA, PEKIN AND CANTON ABOUT REPRESENTATIVES FROM PEORIA, PEKIN AND CANTON ABOUT SITUATIONS IN THOSE COMMUNITIES. PEKIN AND CANTON ABOUT SITUATIONS IN THOSE COMMUNITIES. LET ME INTRODUCE, AMIR SITUATIONS IN THOSE COMMUNITIES. LET ME INTRODUCE, AMIR AL-KHAFAJI. LET ME INTRODUCE, AMIR AL-KHAFAJI. AMIR IS THE CHAIR OF THE PEORIA AL-KHAFAJI. AMIR IS THE CHAIR OF THE PEORIA RACE RELATIONS COMMISSION. AMIR IS THE CHAIR OF THE PEORIA RACE RELATIONS COMMISSION. THANK YOU OF FOR BEING WITH US. RACE RELATIONS COMMISSION. THANK YOU OF FOR BEING WITH US. THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME. THANK YOU OF FOR BEING WITH US. THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME. >>SHAWNA SHIPMAN IS SEATED NEXT THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME. >>SHAWNA SHIPMAN IS SEATED NEXT TO HIM AND IS A MEMBER OF THE >>SHAWNA SHIPMAN IS SEATED NEXT TO HIM AND IS A MEMBER OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE, A NEWLY TO HIM AND IS A MEMBER OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE, A NEWLY FORMED COMMITTEE THAT DOESN'T HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE, A NEWLY FORMED COMMITTEE THAT DOESN'T HAVE A CHAIR YET. FORMED COMMITTEE THAT DOESN'T HAVE A CHAIR YET. >>CORRECT. HAVE A CHAIR YET. >>CORRECT. >>AND SEATED ON THE OTHER SIDE >>CORRECT. >>AND SEATED ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TABLE IS KEVIN MEADE. >>AND SEATED ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TABLE IS KEVIN MEADE. KEVIN IS THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF THE TABLE IS KEVIN MEADE. KEVIN IS THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF CANTON. KEVIN IS THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF CANTON. THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING ON AT OF CANTON. THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING ON AT ISSUE. THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING ON AT ISSUE. >>THANKS. ISSUE. >>THANKS. >>LET'S START WITH THE MOVIE, >>THANKS. >>LET'S START WITH THE MOVIE, INVICTIS, MORGAN FREEMAN PLAYED >>LET'S START WITH THE MOVIE, INVICTIS, MORGAN FREEMAN PLAYED THE ROLE OF NELSON MANDELA, IN INVICTIS, MORGAN FREEMAN PLAYED THE ROLE OF NELSON MANDELA, IN THE EARLY 90'S, SOUTH AFRICA THE ROLE OF NELSON MANDELA, IN THE EARLY 90'S, SOUTH AFRICA TOOK A STEP FORWARD. THE EARLY 90'S, SOUTH AFRICA TOOK A STEP FORWARD. AND EVERYBODY CELEBRATED THAT TOOK A STEP FORWARD. AND EVERYBODY CELEBRATED THAT AND "INVICTIS" RENEWED THE AND EVERYBODY CELEBRATED THAT AND "INVICTIS" RENEWED THE FEELING OF WE ARE MAKING AND "INVICTIS" RENEWED THE FEELING OF WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS. FEELING OF WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS. IN FACT, WE JUST HAD THE 50TH PROGRESS. IN FACT, WE JUST HAD THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUR NORTH IN FACT, WE JUST HAD THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUR NORTH CAROLINA ANT STUDENTS WHO SAT AT ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUR NORTH CAROLINA ANT STUDENTS WHO SAT AT THE COUNTER AT A WOOLWORTH'S IN CAROLINA ANT STUDENTS WHO SAT AT THE COUNTER AT A WOOLWORTH'S IN NORTH CAROLINA AND REFUSED TO THE COUNTER AT A WOOLWORTH'S IN NORTH CAROLINA AND REFUSED TO LEAVE AFTER THEY WERE TOLD TO NORTH CAROLINA AND REFUSED TO LEAVE AFTER THEY WERE TOLD TO LEAVE. LEAVE AFTER THEY WERE TOLD TO LEAVE. AND WE REMEMBER THOSE TIMES, AND LEAVE. AND WE REMEMBER THOSE TIMES, AND THEN WE SAY WE ARE MAKING AND WE REMEMBER THOSE TIMES, AND THEN WE SAY WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS. THEN WE SAY WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS. WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS. THEN ALL PROGRESS. WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, WE SEE INCIDENTS WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, WE SEE INCIDENTS OCCUR. OF A SUDDEN, WE SEE INCIDENTS OCCUR. WE SEE EGGS BEING TOSSED AT OCCUR. WE SEE EGGS BEING TOSSED AT AUTOMOBILES, IF I RECALL, IN WE SEE EGGS BEING TOSSED AT AUTOMOBILES, IF I RECALL, IN PEKIN OR AT HOUSES. AUTOMOBILES, IF I RECALL, IN PEKIN OR AT HOUSES. >>THERE WERE EGGS PUT INTO THE PEKIN OR AT HOUSES. >>THERE WERE EGGS PUT INTO THE YARDS OF RESIDENTS THAT ARE >>THERE WERE EGGS PUT INTO THE YARDS OF RESIDENTS THAT ARE MESSAGES IN THEM. YARDS OF RESIDENTS THAT ARE MESSAGES IN THEM. THEY WERE NOT HAPPY EASTER MESSAGES IN THEM. THEY WERE NOT HAPPY EASTER MESSAGES. THEY WERE NOT HAPPY EASTER MESSAGES. >>AND THEY WERE RACIALLY. MESSAGES. >>AND THEY WERE RACIALLY. >>ABSOLUTELY. >>AND THEY WERE RACIALLY. >>ABSOLUTELY. TRACED BACK TO A GROUP ACTUALLY >>ABSOLUTELY. TRACED BACK TO A GROUP ACTUALLY THAT HAD A PEORIA ADDRESS ON TRACED BACK TO A GROUP ACTUALLY THAT HAD A PEORIA ADDRESS ON THEIR WEB SITE, BUT THEY HAD THAT HAD A PEORIA ADDRESS ON THEIR WEB SITE, BUT THEY HAD CHOSEN TO PUT THEM IN YARDS IN THEIR WEB SITE, BUT THEY HAD CHOSEN TO PUT THEM IN YARDS IN PEKIN. CHOSEN TO PUT THEM IN YARDS IN PEKIN. >>WE HAD AN INDENT IN MORTON NOT PEKIN. >>WE HAD AN INDENT IN MORTON NOT TOO LONG AGO WHERE AN AFRICAN >>WE HAD AN INDENT IN MORTON NOT TOO LONG AGO WHERE AN AFRICAN AMERICAN WENT INTO A RESTAURANT TOO LONG AGO WHERE AN AFRICAN AMERICAN WENT INTO A RESTAURANT AND CAME OUT AFTER EATING AND AMERICAN WENT INTO A RESTAURANT AND CAME OUT AFTER EATING AND HAD DEROGATORY REMARKS ON A AND CAME OUT AFTER EATING AND HAD DEROGATORY REMARKS ON A SHEET THAT WAS PUT ON HIS CAR. HAD DEROGATORY REMARKS ON A SHEET THAT WAS PUT ON HIS CAR. SO THERE ARE THESE INCIDENTS SHEET THAT WAS PUT ON HIS CAR. SO THERE ARE THESE INCIDENTS RAISE THEIR UGLY HEADS EVERY SO THERE ARE THESE INCIDENTS RAISE THEIR UGLY HEADS EVERY ONCE IN AWHILE, AND THEN WE FACE RAISE THEIR UGLY HEADS EVERY ONCE IN AWHILE, AND THEN WE FACE SITUATIONS LIKE REPUTATIONS. ONCE IN AWHILE, AND THEN WE FACE SITUATIONS LIKE REPUTATIONS. THE CITY OF CANTON HAS A SITUATIONS LIKE REPUTATIONS. THE CITY OF CANTON HAS A REPUTATION. THE CITY OF CANTON HAS A REPUTATION. PART OF THAT IS MYTH. REPUTATION. PART OF THAT IS MYTH. PART IS BASED ON SOME HISTORICAL PART OF THAT IS MYTH. PART IS BASED ON SOME HISTORICAL EVIDENCE. PART IS BASED ON SOME HISTORICAL EVIDENCE. SO, MAYOR RUSTY DUNN DECIDES IT EVIDENCE. SO, MAYOR RUSTY DUNN DECIDES IT IS TIME TO FORM A HUMAN RIGHTS SO, MAYOR RUSTY DUNN DECIDES IT IS TIME TO FORM A HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE. IS TIME TO FORM A HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE COMMITTEE. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE COMMITTEE? WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE COMMITTEE? >> WE ARE FAIRLY NEW AS A COMMITTEE? >> WE ARE FAIRLY NEW AS A COMMITTEE. >> WE ARE FAIRLY NEW AS A COMMITTEE. WE ARE DEFINING OUR PURPOSE MORE COMMITTEE. WE ARE DEFINING OUR PURPOSE MORE SUCCINCTLY AS WE GO. WE ARE DEFINING OUR PURPOSE MORE SUCCINCTLY AS WE GO. YOU HIT UPON IT WITH THE WORD SUCCINCTLY AS WE GO. YOU HIT UPON IT WITH THE WORD "REPUTATION." YOU HIT UPON IT WITH THE WORD "REPUTATION." YOU DESCRIBE THE SCENARIO WHERE "REPUTATION." YOU DESCRIBE THE SCENARIO WHERE WE TAKE ONE STEP P FORWARD AND YOU DESCRIBE THE SCENARIO WHERE WE TAKE ONE STEP P FORWARD AND TWO STEPS BACK IN RACE WE TAKE ONE STEP P FORWARD AND TWO STEPS BACK IN RACE RELATIONS, IT IS EXACERBATED TWO STEPS BACK IN RACE RELATIONS, IT IS EXACERBATED WHEN YOU PUT IN REPUTATION, RELATIONS, IT IS EXACERBATED WHEN YOU PUT IN REPUTATION, MYTH. WHEN YOU PUT IN REPUTATION, MYTH. SURELY PEKIN HAS A REPUTATION MYTH. SURELY PEKIN HAS A REPUTATION FOR BEING INTOLERANT RACIALLY SURELY PEKIN HAS A REPUTATION FOR BEING INTOLERANT RACIALLY SPEAKING OR OTHERWISE, AND IT IS FOR BEING INTOLERANT RACIALLY SPEAKING OR OTHERWISE, AND IT IS PARTLY BASED ON HISTORICAL SPEAKING OR OTHERWISE, AND IT IS PARTLY BASED ON HISTORICAL FACTS. PARTLY BASED ON HISTORICAL FACTS. IT IS PARTLY BASED IN MYTH. FACTS. IT IS PARTLY BASED IN MYTH. BUT IT IS THERE, AND IT IS A IT IS PARTLY BASED IN MYTH. BUT IT IS THERE, AND IT IS A HUGE OBSTACLE FOR OUR CITY IN SO BUT IT IS THERE, AND IT IS A HUGE OBSTACLE FOR OUR CITY IN SO MANY PRACTICAL WAYS. SO THIS HUGE OBSTACLE FOR OUR CITY IN SO MANY PRACTICAL WAYS. SO THIS COMMITTEE IS ALL ABOUT REALLY MANY PRACTICAL WAYS. SO THIS COMMITTEE IS ALL ABOUT REALLY GIVING A VOICE AT THE CITY LEVEL COMMITTEE IS ALL ABOUT REALLY GIVING A VOICE AT THE CITY LEVEL TO THE VAST, VAST MAJORITY OF GIVING A VOICE AT THE CITY LEVEL TO THE VAST, VAST MAJORITY OF PEOPLE IN PEKIN WHO DON'T LIVE TO THE VAST, VAST MAJORITY OF PEOPLE IN PEKIN WHO DON'T LIVE LIVES IN INTOLERANT WAY, OPEN PEOPLE IN PEKIN WHO DON'T LIVE LIVES IN INTOLERANT WAY, OPEN MINDED AND OPEN HEARTED AND LIVES IN INTOLERANT WAY, OPEN MINDED AND OPEN HEARTED AND DON'T WANT A VOCAL MINORITY MINDED AND OPEN HEARTED AND DON'T WANT A VOCAL MINORITY CASTING SUCH A NEGATIVE SHADOW DON'T WANT A VOCAL MINORITY CASTING SUCH A NEGATIVE SHADOW REALLY OVER OUR COMMUNITY WHEN CASTING SUCH A NEGATIVE SHADOW REALLY OVER OUR COMMUNITY WHEN WE HAVE SO MANY GOOD THINGS REALLY OVER OUR COMMUNITY WHEN WE HAVE SO MANY GOOD THINGS GOING ON. WE HAVE SO MANY GOOD THINGS GOING ON. WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE GOES GOING ON. WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE GOES FOR THE CITY OF PEKIN'S WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE GOES FOR THE CITY OF PEKIN'S COMMITTEE. FOR THE CITY OF PEKIN'S COMMITTEE. BUT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE COMMITTEE. BUT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE ORIGINS OF THE RACE RELATIONS BUT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE ORIGINS OF THE RACE RELATIONS COMMISSION IN THE CITY OF ORIGINS OF THE RACE RELATIONS COMMISSION IN THE CITY OF PEORIA. COMMISSION IN THE CITY OF PEORIA. YOU HAVE SHARED THAT. PEORIA. YOU HAVE SHARED THAT. FORMED MAYBE 18 MONTHS AGO, BUT YOU HAVE SHARED THAT. FORMED MAYBE 18 MONTHS AGO, BUT REALLY TOOK FOOT MAYBE EIGHT, 12 FORMED MAYBE 18 MONTHS AGO, BUT REALLY TOOK FOOT MAYBE EIGHT, 12 MONTHS AGO. REALLY TOOK FOOT MAYBE EIGHT, 12 MONTHS AGO. >>CORRECT. MONTHS AGO. >>CORRECT. >>WHAT WAS THE ORIGIN OF THAT >>CORRECT. >>WHAT WAS THE ORIGIN OF THAT COMMISSION? >>WHAT WAS THE ORIGIN OF THAT COMMISSION? WHY WAS IT FORMED. COMMISSION? WHY WAS IT FORMED. >>ESSENTIALLY, AS YOU KNOW, THE WHY WAS IT FORMED. >>ESSENTIALLY, AS YOU KNOW, THE MAYOR IS REALLY COMMITTED TO >>ESSENTIALLY, AS YOU KNOW, THE MAYOR IS REALLY COMMITTED TO IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF MAYOR IS REALLY COMMITTED TO IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION IN OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM. IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION IN OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM. OBVIOUSLY, WE HAVE SOME SERIOUS EDUCATION IN OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM. OBVIOUSLY, WE HAVE SOME SERIOUS PROBLEMS IN DISTRICT 150 THAT OBVIOUSLY, WE HAVE SOME SERIOUS PROBLEMS IN DISTRICT 150 THAT ARE BEING ADDRESSED CURRENTLY, PROBLEMS IN DISTRICT 150 THAT ARE BEING ADDRESSED CURRENTLY, AND I THINK THERE ARE A THE LOT ARE BEING ADDRESSED CURRENTLY, AND I THINK THERE ARE A THE LOT OF PEOPLE IN THIS COMMUNITY WHO AND I THINK THERE ARE A THE LOT OF PEOPLE IN THIS COMMUNITY WHO FAIL TO RECOGNIZE THE WONDERFUL OF PEOPLE IN THIS COMMUNITY WHO FAIL TO RECOGNIZE THE WONDERFUL POSSIBILITIES THAT EXIST IN FAIL TO RECOGNIZE THE WONDERFUL POSSIBILITIES THAT EXIST IN PEORIA. POSSIBILITIES THAT EXIST IN PEORIA. AND I AM TALKING SPECIFICALLY PEORIA. AND I AM TALKING SPECIFICALLY ABOUT A COMPANY LIKE AND I AM TALKING SPECIFICALLY ABOUT A COMPANY LIKE CATERPILLAR, WITH QUITE A FEW ABOUT A COMPANY LIKE CATERPILLAR, WITH QUITE A FEW RETIREES, THE AG LAB, WITH QUITE CATERPILLAR, WITH QUITE A FEW RETIREES, THE AG LAB, WITH QUITE A FEW RETIREES, WITH TREMENDOUS RETIREES, THE AG LAB, WITH QUITE A FEW RETIREES, WITH TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF EXPERIENCES AND A FEW RETIREES, WITH TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF EXPERIENCES AND BACKGROUNDS THAT COULD REALLY AMOUNT OF EXPERIENCES AND BACKGROUNDS THAT COULD REALLY ENHANCE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS BACKGROUNDS THAT COULD REALLY ENHANCE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS THAT WE HAVE IN DISTRICT 150. ENHANCE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS THAT WE HAVE IN DISTRICT 150. WE HAVE HEARD ABOUT THE CHARTER THAT WE HAVE IN DISTRICT 150. WE HAVE HEARD ABOUT THE CHARTER SCHOOL SYSTEM AND SCHOOL THAT WE HAVE HEARD ABOUT THE CHARTER SCHOOL SYSTEM AND SCHOOL THAT WAS JUST APPROVED RECENTLY. SCHOOL SYSTEM AND SCHOOL THAT WAS JUST APPROVED RECENTLY. I THINK WE HAVE A PIVOTAL ROLE WAS JUST APPROVED RECENTLY. I THINK WE HAVE A PIVOTAL ROLE TO PLAY THERE. I THINK WE HAVE A PIVOTAL ROLE TO PLAY THERE. THERE IS ANOTHER AREA THAT I TO PLAY THERE. THERE IS ANOTHER AREA THAT I THINK THE RACE RELATIONS THERE IS ANOTHER AREA THAT I THINK THE RACE RELATIONS COMMISSION HAS AND WILL A ARE THINK THE RACE RELATIONS COMMISSION HAS AND WILL A ARE DRESS IN THE FUTURE, AND THAT IS COMMISSION HAS AND WILL A ARE DRESS IN THE FUTURE, AND THAT IS BUILDING CAPACITY, PROVIDING DRESS IN THE FUTURE, AND THAT IS BUILDING CAPACITY, PROVIDING AWARENESS FOR OUR CITIZENS ABOUT BUILDING CAPACITY, PROVIDING AWARENESS FOR OUR CITIZENS ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT EXIST, AWARENESS FOR OUR CITIZENS ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT EXIST, WHETHER EMPLOYMENT THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT EXIST, WHETHER EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES, YOUTH PROGRAMS. WHETHER EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES, YOUTH PROGRAMS. THERE ARE QUITE A FEW. OPPORTUNITIES, YOUTH PROGRAMS. THERE ARE QUITE A FEW. UNFORTUNATELY, THERE IS VERY THERE ARE QUITE A FEW. UNFORTUNATELY, THERE IS VERY LITTLE AVAILABLE THAT COULD MAKE UNFORTUNATELY, THERE IS VERY LITTLE AVAILABLE THAT COULD MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR AN AVERAGE LITTLE AVAILABLE THAT COULD MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR AN AVERAGE CITIZEN TO FIND OUT WHAT THOSE IT POSSIBLE FOR AN AVERAGE CITIZEN TO FIND OUT WHAT THOSE OPPORTUNITIES ARE. CITIZEN TO FIND OUT WHAT THOSE OPPORTUNITIES ARE. MAYOR ARDIS SAID SOMETHING OPPORTUNITIES ARE. MAYOR ARDIS SAID SOMETHING REALLY PROFOUND I THINK. MAYOR ARDIS SAID SOMETHING REALLY PROFOUND I THINK. HE SAID "WE ARE EMBARKING ON A REALLY PROFOUND I THINK. HE SAID "WE ARE EMBARKING ON A JOURNEY WITH A CLEAR DIRECTION, HE SAID "WE ARE EMBARKING ON A JOURNEY WITH A CLEAR DIRECTION, BUT NO FINAL DESTINATION." JOURNEY WITH A CLEAR DIRECTION, BUT NO FINAL DESTINATION." SO WHAT I AM LOOKING AT AND THE BUT NO FINAL DESTINATION." SO WHAT I AM LOOKING AT AND THE COMMISSION AND THE MAYOR IS TO SO WHAT I AM LOOKING AT AND THE COMMISSION AND THE MAYOR IS TO UNDERSTAND THIS IS NOT ABOUT ONE COMMISSION AND THE MAYOR IS TO UNDERSTAND THIS IS NOT ABOUT ONE PERSON, IT IS NOT ABOUT THE UNDERSTAND THIS IS NOT ABOUT ONE PERSON, IT IS NOT ABOUT THE MAYOR. PERSON, IT IS NOT ABOUT THE MAYOR. IT IS NOT ABOUT THE COMMISSION. MAYOR. IT IS NOT ABOUT THE COMMISSION. IT IS ABOUT THE COMMUNITY AND IT IS NOT ABOUT THE COMMISSION. IT IS ABOUT THE COMMUNITY AND ITS FUTURE. IT IS ABOUT THE COMMUNITY AND ITS FUTURE. AND BY THAT, I MEAN THERE ARE ITS FUTURE. AND BY THAT, I MEAN THERE ARE QUITE A FEW RETIREES WHO ARE AND BY THAT, I MEAN THERE ARE QUITE A FEW RETIREES WHO ARE WILLING AND ABLE TO HELP. QUITE A FEW RETIREES WHO ARE WILLING AND ABLE TO HELP. WE ARE GOING TO TRY AND PUT THEM WILLING AND ABLE TO HELP. WE ARE GOING TO TRY AND PUT THEM TO WORK, WHETHER IN EDUCATION, WE ARE GOING TO TRY AND PUT THEM TO WORK, WHETHER IN EDUCATION, CAPACITY BUILDING, JOB TO WORK, WHETHER IN EDUCATION, CAPACITY BUILDING, JOB OPPORTUNITIES, THE FUTURE OF CAPACITY BUILDING, JOB OPPORTUNITIES, THE FUTURE OF THIS COMMUNITY AND NEW OPPORTUNITIES, THE FUTURE OF THIS COMMUNITY AND NEW INITIATIVES THAT COULD ENHANCE THIS COMMUNITY AND NEW INITIATIVES THAT COULD ENHANCE THE SOUTH SIDE, FOR EXAMPLE, AND INITIATIVES THAT COULD ENHANCE THE SOUTH SIDE, FOR EXAMPLE, AND WE HAVE DONE THAT. THE SOUTH SIDE, FOR EXAMPLE, AND WE HAVE DONE THAT. I BELIEVE AT LEAST WE HAVE TAKEN WE HAVE DONE THAT. I BELIEVE AT LEAST WE HAVE TAKEN THE FIRST FEW STEPS THIS THAT I BELIEVE AT LEAST WE HAVE TAKEN THE FIRST FEW STEPS THIS THAT DIRECTION. THE FIRST FEW STEPS THIS THAT DIRECTION. WE WILL TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF DIRECTION. WE WILL TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF THOSE INITIATIVES IN A MOMENT. WE WILL TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF THOSE INITIATIVES IN A MOMENT. BUT LET'S TURN TO THE CITY THAT THOSE INITIATIVES IN A MOMENT. BUT LET'S TURN TO THE CITY THAT HAS GONE THROUGH HEADLINES BUT LET'S TURN TO THE CITY THAT HAS GONE THROUGH HEADLINES RECENTLY. HAS GONE THROUGH HEADLINES RECENTLY. ALLEGEDLY, YOUR CHIEF OF POLICE, RECENTLY. ALLEGEDLY, YOUR CHIEF OF POLICE, IT DAN TAYLOR, USED A DEROGATORY ALLEGEDLY, YOUR CHIEF OF POLICE, IT DAN TAYLOR, USED A DEROGATORY REMARK, RACIALLY SENSITIVE IT DAN TAYLOR, USED A DEROGATORY REMARK, RACIALLY SENSITIVE REMARK ABOUT A YOUNG CHILD. REMARK, RACIALLY SENSITIVE REMARK ABOUT A YOUNG CHILD. LET'S START FROM THE BEGINNING, REMARK ABOUT A YOUNG CHILD. LET'S START FROM THE BEGINNING, AS FAR AS YOU KNOW, DID CHIEF LET'S START FROM THE BEGINNING, AS FAR AS YOU KNOW, DID CHIEF TAYLOR SAY WHAT HE IS ALLEGED TO AS FAR AS YOU KNOW, DID CHIEF TAYLOR SAY WHAT HE IS ALLEGED TO HAVE SAID? TAYLOR SAY WHAT HE IS ALLEGED TO HAVE SAID? >> NO, HE DIDN'T. HAVE SAID? >> NO, HE DIDN'T. IN THAT INSTANCE, THIS IS A >> NO, HE DIDN'T. IN THAT INSTANCE, THIS IS A THREE YEAR OLD. IN THAT INSTANCE, THIS IS A THREE YEAR OLD. WE LOOK ~ED INTO IT MULTIPLE THREE YEAR OLD. WE LOOK ~ED INTO IT MULTIPLE GROUPS HAVE LOOKED INTO THIS, WE LOOK ~ED INTO IT MULTIPLE GROUPS HAVE LOOKED INTO THIS, AND FOUND NO BASIS THAT THAT GROUPS HAVE LOOKED INTO THIS, AND FOUND NO BASIS THAT THAT ACCUSATION THAT HE SAID THAT AND FOUND NO BASIS THAT THAT ACCUSATION THAT HE SAID THAT WORD AT THAT TIME NEVER HAPPENED ACCUSATION THAT HE SAID THAT WORD AT THAT TIME NEVER HAPPENED THE BEST OF WHAT WE CAN FIND OUT WORD AT THAT TIME NEVER HAPPENED THE BEST OF WHAT WE CAN FIND OUT THROUGH VARIOUS POLICE THE BEST OF WHAT WE CAN FIND OUT THROUGH VARIOUS POLICE INVESTIGATIONS. THROUGH VARIOUS POLICE INVESTIGATIONS. >>POLICE OFFICER HAD FILED A INVESTIGATIONS. >>POLICE OFFICER HAD FILED A COMPLAINT, HOWEVER. >>POLICE OFFICER HAD FILED A COMPLAINT, HOWEVER. >>YES. COMPLAINT, HOWEVER. >>YES. >>WHERE IS THAT STAND? >>YES. >>WHERE IS THAT STAND? HAS IT GONE TO THE EEOC? >>WHERE IS THAT STAND? HAS IT GONE TO THE EEOC? >> YES. HAS IT GONE TO THE EEOC? >> YES. EEOC, THAT CHARGE WAS FILED >> YES. EEOC, THAT CHARGE WAS FILED THREE YEARS AGO WEATHER DAN WAS EEOC, THAT CHARGE WAS FILED THREE YEARS AGO WEATHER DAN WAS A SERGEANT AND NOW CHIEF. THREE YEARS AGO WEATHER DAN WAS A SERGEANT AND NOW CHIEF. WE WERE AWARE OF THOSE CHARGES A SERGEANT AND NOW CHIEF. WE WERE AWARE OF THOSE CHARGES BEFORE HE BECAME CHIEF. WE WERE AWARE OF THOSE CHARGES BEFORE HE BECAME CHIEF. BECAUSE WE BELIEVE THOSE WEREN'T BEFORE HE BECAME CHIEF. BECAUSE WE BELIEVE THOSE WEREN'T TREE WAS THE REASON HE WAS BECAUSE WE BELIEVE THOSE WEREN'T TREE WAS THE REASON HE WAS PROMOTED. TREE WAS THE REASON HE WAS PROMOTED. OBVIOUSLY IF THAT WAS TRUE, WE PROMOTED. OBVIOUSLY IF THAT WAS TRUE, WE WOULDN'T HAVE DONE THAT. OBVIOUSLY IF THAT WAS TRUE, WE WOULDN'T HAVE DONE THAT. WHERE WE ARE AT NOW, THE EEOC WOULDN'T HAVE DONE THAT. WHERE WE ARE AT NOW, THE EEOC HAD A FINDING. WHERE WE ARE AT NOW, THE EEOC HAD A FINDING. WE ARE NEOGTIATING WITH THEM HAD A FINDING. WE ARE NEOGTIATING WITH THEM RIGHT NOW, THEY ARE ASKING WE ARE NEOGTIATING WITH THEM RIGHT NOW, THEY ARE ASKING QUESTIONS BACK AND FORTH. RIGHT NOW, THEY ARE ASKING QUESTIONS BACK AND FORTH. THERE ARE THINGS ABOUT THE QUESTIONS BACK AND FORTH. THERE ARE THINGS ABOUT THE RULINGS WE DON'T UNDERSTAND. THERE ARE THINGS ABOUT THE RULINGS WE DON'T UNDERSTAND. WE WANT CLARIFICATION ON IT, AND RULINGS WE DON'T UNDERSTAND. WE WANT CLARIFICATION ON IT, AND WE WILL PROCEED INTEREST THERE. WE WANT CLARIFICATION ON IT, AND WE WILL PROCEED INTEREST THERE. WE THINK THAT THIS INCIDENT, WE WILL PROCEED INTEREST THERE. WE THINK THAT THIS INCIDENT, BECAUSE IT DIDN'T HAPPEN, WE WE THINK THAT THIS INCIDENT, BECAUSE IT DIDN'T HAPPEN, WE PLAN TO, I THINK, PURSUE IT IN BECAUSE IT DIDN'T HAPPEN, WE PLAN TO, I THINK, PURSUE IT IN TERMS OF -- WE WILL SEE WHAT THE PLAN TO, I THINK, PURSUE IT IN TERMS OF -- WE WILL SEE WHAT THE EEOC WANTS TO DO AND WE WILL TERMS OF -- WE WILL SEE WHAT THE EEOC WANTS TO DO AND WE WILL TAKE OUR NEXT STEP. EEOC WANTS TO DO AND WE WILL TAKE OUR NEXT STEP. IT HAS BEEN SORT OF MISCONSTRUED TAKE OUR NEXT STEP. IT HAS BEEN SORT OF MISCONSTRUED IN THE PUBLIC ABOUT WHAT WAS AND IT HAS BEEN SORT OF MISCONSTRUED IN THE PUBLIC ABOUT WHAT WAS AND WASN'T SAID. BUT IN THAT IN THE PUBLIC ABOUT WHAT WAS AND WASN'T SAID. BUT IN THAT INSTANCE, WHAT HE IS A CUED OF WASN'T SAID. BUT IN THAT INSTANCE, WHAT HE IS A CUED OF DIDN'T HAPPEN. INSTANCE, WHAT HE IS A CUED OF DIDN'T HAPPEN. >>THERE ARE THOSE WHO ARE UPSET DIDN'T HAPPEN. >>THERE ARE THOSE WHO ARE UPSET WITH THE COMMUNITY. >>THERE ARE THOSE WHO ARE UPSET WITH THE COMMUNITY. REVEREND FROM MOUNT CARMEL WITH THE COMMUNITY. REVEREND FROM MOUNT CARMEL BAPTIST CHURCH IS ACTIVE IN THE REVEREND FROM MOUNT CARMEL BAPTIST CHURCH IS ACTIVE IN THE COALITION SAYING THE LEADERSHIP BAPTIST CHURCH IS ACTIVE IN THE COALITION SAYING THE LEADERSHIP OF CANTON NEEDS TO BE MORE COALITION SAYING THE LEADERSHIP OF CANTON NEEDS TO BE MORE SENSITIVE TO THESE KINDS OF OF CANTON NEEDS TO BE MORE SENSITIVE TO THESE KINDS OF ISSUES, DO YOU SEE MERIT IN SENSITIVE TO THESE KINDS OF ISSUES, DO YOU SEE MERIT IN THAT? ISSUES, DO YOU SEE MERIT IN THAT? >> WE ARE IN SENSITIVE THAT? >> WE ARE IN SENSITIVE POSITIONS. >> WE ARE IN SENSITIVE POSITIONS. WE CAN POINT TO THE INSTANCES POSITIONS. WE CAN POINT TO THE INSTANCES WHERE WE HAVE TAKEN ACTION IN WE CAN POINT TO THE INSTANCES WHERE WE HAVE TAKEN ACTION IN THE PAST. WHERE WE HAVE TAKEN ACTION IN THE PAST. IF YOU LOOK AT CANTON'S HISTORY, THE PAST. IF YOU LOOK AT CANTON'S HISTORY, WE WERE THE FIRST COMMUNITY IN IF YOU LOOK AT CANTON'S HISTORY, WE WERE THE FIRST COMMUNITY IN CENTRAL ILLINOIS TO HAVE AFRICAN WE WERE THE FIRST COMMUNITY IN CENTRAL ILLINOIS TO HAVE AFRICAN AMERICAN FIRE CHIEF FOR EXAMPLE. CENTRAL ILLINOIS TO HAVE AFRICAN AMERICAN FIRE CHIEF FOR EXAMPLE. WE ARE THE ONLY CITY IN ILLINOIS AMERICAN FIRE CHIEF FOR EXAMPLE. WE ARE THE ONLY CITY IN ILLINOIS WHO HAS A FEMALE FIRE CHIEF WE ARE THE ONLY CITY IN ILLINOIS WHO HAS A FEMALE FIRE CHIEF CURRENTLY. WHO HAS A FEMALE FIRE CHIEF CURRENTLY. WE HAVE RECENTLY APPOINTED OUR CURRENTLY. WE HAVE RECENTLY APPOINTED OUR FIRST HISPANIC AMERICAN TO THE WE HAVE RECENTLY APPOINTED OUR FIRST HISPANIC AMERICAN TO THE CITY COUNCIL. FIRST HISPANIC AMERICAN TO THE CITY COUNCIL. WHETHER YOU LOOK AT THOSE AND CITY COUNCIL. WHETHER YOU LOOK AT THOSE AND OTHER EXAMPLES, WE HAVE MADE WHETHER YOU LOOK AT THOSE AND OTHER EXAMPLES, WE HAVE MADE EFFORTS TO DO THAT. OTHER EXAMPLES, WE HAVE MADE EFFORTS TO DO THAT. BUT ANY TIME A CITIZEN FEELS EFFORTS TO DO THAT. BUT ANY TIME A CITIZEN FEELS LIKE THEY HAVEN'T BEEN LISTENED BUT ANY TIME A CITIZEN FEELS LIKE THEY HAVEN'T BEEN LISTENED TO, IT IS THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT LIKE THEY HAVEN'T BEEN LISTENED TO, IT IS THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT TO LISTEN AND TO BE SENSITIVE TO TO, IT IS THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT TO LISTEN AND TO BE SENSITIVE TO THAT VIEWPOINT. TO LISTEN AND TO BE SENSITIVE TO THAT VIEWPOINT. I THINK PASTOR OFRAND HAS A THAT VIEWPOINT. I THINK PASTOR OFRAND HAS A VIEWPOINT, I HAVE OFFERED TO I THINK PASTOR OFRAND HAS A VIEWPOINT, I HAVE OFFERED TO MEET WITH HIM OR ANY GROUP, VIEWPOINT, I HAVE OFFERED TO MEET WITH HIM OR ANY GROUP, PEKIN HAS A GREAT IDEA WITH MEET WITH HIM OR ANY GROUP, PEKIN HAS A GREAT IDEA WITH THEIR COMMISSION AND WOULD LOVE PEKIN HAS A GREAT IDEA WITH THEIR COMMISSION AND WOULD LOVE TO REACH OUT TO ANYONE WHO WOULD THEIR COMMISSION AND WOULD LOVE TO REACH OUT TO ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO REACH BACK, I GUESS, TO TO REACH OUT TO ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO REACH BACK, I GUESS, TO US, TO FIND SOME SOLUTIONS. LIKE TO REACH BACK, I GUESS, TO US, TO FIND SOME SOLUTIONS. I THINK THAT'S WHAT I HAVE SAID US, TO FIND SOME SOLUTIONS. I THINK THAT'S WHAT I HAVE SAID BEFORE, WE ARE NOT INTERESTED IN I THINK THAT'S WHAT I HAVE SAID BEFORE, WE ARE NOT INTERESTED IN A STORY, IN A PAPER OR A TV BEFORE, WE ARE NOT INTERESTED IN A STORY, IN A PAPER OR A TV PROGRAM. A STORY, IN A PAPER OR A TV PROGRAM. WE ARE INTERESTED IN A SOLUTION. PROGRAM. WE ARE INTERESTED IN A SOLUTION. WE WELCOME THAT. WE ARE INTERESTED IN A SOLUTION. WE WELCOME THAT. >>MIGHT YOU LOOK AT THE WE WELCOME THAT. >>MIGHT YOU LOOK AT THE POSSIBILITY OF FORMING A >>MIGHT YOU LOOK AT THE POSSIBILITY OF FORMING A COMMITTEE OR COMMISSION LIKE POSSIBILITY OF FORMING A COMMITTEE OR COMMISSION LIKE PEKIN OR PEORIA? COMMITTEE OR COMMISSION LIKE PEKIN OR PEORIA? >> VERY DEFINITELY. PEKIN OR PEORIA? >> VERY DEFINITELY. I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT >> VERY DEFINITELY. I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THOSE PEOPLE WHO FEEL LIKE THEY I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THOSE PEOPLE WHO FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE BEEN DISENFRANCHISED, THOSE PEOPLE WHO FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE BEEN DISENFRANCHISED, WHATEVER LEVEL, BE IT ECONOMICS, HAVE BEEN DISENFRANCHISED, WHATEVER LEVEL, BE IT ECONOMICS, RACE, THEY HAVE A PLACE THEY CAN WHATEVER LEVEL, BE IT ECONOMICS, RACE, THEY HAVE A PLACE THEY CAN GO AND FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE BEEN RACE, THEY HAVE A PLACE THEY CAN GO AND FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE BEEN HEARD. GO AND FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE BEEN HEARD. A COMMISSION IS EXCELLENT WAY HEARD. A COMMISSION IS EXCELLENT WAY FOR THAT TO HAPPEN. A COMMISSION IS EXCELLENT WAY FOR THAT TO HAPPEN. >>LET'S TURN BACK TO PEKIN. FOR THAT TO HAPPEN. >>LET'S TURN BACK TO PEKIN. YOU ARE BRAND NEW FOR ALL >>LET'S TURN BACK TO PEKIN. YOU ARE BRAND NEW FOR ALL INTENTS AND PURPOSES. YOU ARE BRAND NEW FOR ALL INTENTS AND PURPOSES. >>UH-HUH. INTENTS AND PURPOSES. >>UH-HUH. >>WHAT DO YOU EXPECT THE >>UH-HUH. >>WHAT DO YOU EXPECT THE FIRST -- WHAT ARE THE FIRST >>WHAT DO YOU EXPECT THE FIRST -- WHAT ARE THE FIRST INITIATIVES YOU ARE LOOKING AT? FIRST -- WHAT ARE THE FIRST INITIATIVES YOU ARE LOOKING AT? >> SURE. INITIATIVES YOU ARE LOOKING AT? >> SURE. IT IS VERY INTERESTING WE HAD A >> SURE. IT IS VERY INTERESTING WE HAD A VERY RECENT MEETING WHERE WE IT IS VERY INTERESTING WE HAD A VERY RECENT MEETING WHERE WE BASICALLY LOOKED AT SOP IDEAS VERY RECENT MEETING WHERE WE BASICALLY LOOKED AT SOP IDEAS THAT WERE ALREADY CONCEPTUALIZED BASICALLY LOOKED AT SOP IDEAS THAT WERE ALREADY CONCEPTUALIZED FOR US ON THE CITY LEVEL WHICH THAT WERE ALREADY CONCEPTUALIZED FOR US ON THE CITY LEVEL WHICH IS TO EVENTUALLY POSSIBLY BE FOR US ON THE CITY LEVEL WHICH IS TO EVENTUALLY POSSIBLY BE ADVISORY ROLE TO THE CITY IS TO EVENTUALLY POSSIBLY BE ADVISORY ROLE TO THE CITY COUNCIL AND CITY OFFICIALS, TO ADVISORY ROLE TO THE CITY COUNCIL AND CITY OFFICIALS, TO HELP TO PROMOTE AWARENESS OF COUNCIL AND CITY OFFICIALS, TO HELP TO PROMOTE AWARENESS OF REGULATIONS FROM THE FEDERAL, HELP TO PROMOTE AWARENESS OF REGULATIONS FROM THE FEDERAL, STATE, AND MUNICIPAL LEVEL REGULATIONS FROM THE FEDERAL, STATE, AND MUNICIPAL LEVEL REGARDING HUMAN RIGHTS AND STATE, AND MUNICIPAL LEVEL REGARDING HUMAN RIGHTS AND EQUITABLE TREATMENT FOR PEOPLE REGARDING HUMAN RIGHTS AND EQUITABLE TREATMENT FOR PEOPLE WE LOOKED AT THOSE THINGS AND EQUITABLE TREATMENT FOR PEOPLE WE LOOKED AT THOSE THINGS AND SAID WOW, THAT'S A LONG WAYS WE LOOKED AT THOSE THINGS AND SAID WOW, THAT'S A LONG WAYS OFF. WE HAVE A LOT OF EDUCATING SAID WOW, THAT'S A LONG WAYS OFF. WE HAVE A LOT OF EDUCATING TO DO OF OURSELVES. RIGHT NOW OFF. WE HAVE A LOT OF EDUCATING TO DO OF OURSELVES. RIGHT NOW WE ARE JUST MAKING SURE WE ARE TO DO OF OURSELVES. RIGHT NOW WE ARE JUST MAKING SURE WE ARE ALL ON THE SAME PAGE ALS FAR AS WE ARE JUST MAKING SURE WE ARE ALL ON THE SAME PAGE ALS FAR AS WHAT WE HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH. WE ALL ON THE SAME PAGE ALS FAR AS WHAT WE HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH. WE ARE DOING MESSAGE MAPPING AND WHAT WE HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH. WE ARE DOING MESSAGE MAPPING AND SOME BRAIN STORMING OF WHAT WE ARE DOING MESSAGE MAPPING AND SOME BRAIN STORMING OF WHAT WE CAN DO. SOME BRAIN STORMING OF WHAT WE CAN DO. BUT REALLY PROBABLY THE FIRST CAN DO. BUT REALLY PROBABLY THE FIRST THING WE WILL BE IS A SOUND BUT REALLY PROBABLY THE FIRST THING WE WILL BE IS A SOUND PIECE FOR THE STATEMENT WHICH THING WE WILL BE IS A SOUND PIECE FOR THE STATEMENT WHICH VERY SIMPLY SAYS THAT PEKIN AS A PIECE FOR THE STATEMENT WHICH VERY SIMPLY SAYS THAT PEKIN AS A COMMUNITY DOES NOT TOLERATE VERY SIMPLY SAYS THAT PEKIN AS A COMMUNITY DOES NOT TOLERATE HATRED IN ANY FORM BASED ON COMMUNITY DOES NOT TOLERATE HATRED IN ANY FORM BASED ON DEMOGRAPHICS, WHICH CAN BE RACE, HATRED IN ANY FORM BASED ON DEMOGRAPHICS, WHICH CAN BE RACE, OR GENDER RELATED OR DEMOGRAPHICS, WHICH CAN BE RACE, OR GENDER RELATED OR SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS. OR GENDER RELATED OR SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS. SO GETTING THE MESSAGE OUT THERE SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS. SO GETTING THE MESSAGE OUT THERE FROM A CITY ENTITY, BUT ALSO SO GETTING THE MESSAGE OUT THERE FROM A CITY ENTITY, BUT ALSO INDEPENDENT BODY AND WITHIN THE FROM A CITY ENTITY, BUT ALSO INDEPENDENT BODY AND WITHIN THE INDEPENDENT BODY, THERE ARE MANY INDEPENDENT BODY AND WITHIN THE INDEPENDENT BODY, THERE ARE MANY INDEPENDENT MINDS HOW TO GO INDEPENDENT BODY, THERE ARE MANY INDEPENDENT MINDS HOW TO GO ABOUT THIS, BUT NOT BEING SHY INDEPENDENT MINDS HOW TO GO ABOUT THIS, BUT NOT BEING SHY TO, LIKE WE SAID, REMOVE THE ABOUT THIS, BUT NOT BEING SHY TO, LIKE WE SAID, REMOVE THE CURTAIN FROM THE WHITE ELEPHANT TO, LIKE WE SAID, REMOVE THE CURTAIN FROM THE WHITE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM IN PEKIN AND SAY CURTAIN FROM THE WHITE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM IN PEKIN AND SAY LET'S ADDRESS THIS STEREOTYPE, IN THE ROOM IN PEKIN AND SAY LET'S ADDRESS THIS STEREOTYPE, REPUTATION, AND LET'S DO SOCIAL LET'S ADDRESS THIS STEREOTYPE, REPUTATION, AND LET'S DO SOCIAL NORMING. REPUTATION, AND LET'S DO SOCIAL NORMING. PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO NORMING. PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO FIND OUT HOW MUCH DIVERSITY IS PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO FIND OUT HOW MUCH DIVERSITY IS IN PEKIN ALREADY, MAYBE EXPOSE FIND OUT HOW MUCH DIVERSITY IS IN PEKIN ALREADY, MAYBE EXPOSE THAT. IN PEKIN ALREADY, MAYBE EXPOSE THAT. MAYBE EXPOSE AND LOOK AT LAW THAT. MAYBE EXPOSE AND LOOK AT LAW ENFORCEMENT HOW OFTEN AN MAYBE EXPOSE AND LOOK AT LAW ENFORCEMENT HOW OFTEN AN INCIDENT TAKES CARE OF. ENFORCEMENT HOW OFTEN AN INCIDENT TAKES CARE OF. THERE IS A LOT OF EXPLORING AND INCIDENT TAKES CARE OF. THERE IS A LOT OF EXPLORING AND LEARNING TY POINT. THERE IS A LOT OF EXPLORING AND LEARNING TY POINT. BUT I SEE POTENTIAL FOR A CHAIN LEARNING TY POINT. BUT I SEE POTENTIAL FOR A CHAIN OF KNOWLEDGE HERE. BUT I SEE POTENTIAL FOR A CHAIN OF KNOWLEDGE HERE. WE CAN WAIT FOR OUR FRIENDS TO OF KNOWLEDGE HERE. WE CAN WAIT FOR OUR FRIENDS TO HELP US ACCOMPLISH TANGIBLE WE CAN WAIT FOR OUR FRIENDS TO HELP US ACCOMPLISH TANGIBLE GOALS THAT MAKE LIFE BETTER FOR HELP US ACCOMPLISH TANGIBLE GOALS THAT MAKE LIFE BETTER FOR PEOPLE, AND ALLEVIATE THESE GOALS THAT MAKE LIFE BETTER FOR PEOPLE, AND ALLEVIATE THESE STRESSES AND PASS IT ONTO OTHER PEOPLE, AND ALLEVIATE THESE STRESSES AND PASS IT ONTO OTHER COMMUNITIES HOPING TO DO THE STRESSES AND PASS IT ONTO OTHER COMMUNITIES HOPING TO DO THE SAME. COMMUNITIES HOPING TO DO THE SAME. IS THE COMMITTEE MADE UP OF ALL SAME. IS THE COMMITTEE MADE UP OF ALL PEKIN RESIDENTS OR ARE YOU IS THE COMMITTEE MADE UP OF ALL PEKIN RESIDENTS OR ARE YOU LOOKING FOR OUTSIDE INFLUENCE? PEKIN RESIDENTS OR ARE YOU LOOKING FOR OUTSIDE INFLUENCE? IT IS GOOD TO HEAR FROM SOMEBODY LOOKING FOR OUTSIDE INFLUENCE? IT IS GOOD TO HEAR FROM SOMEBODY FROM CANTON THAT MIGHT SAY. IT IS GOOD TO HEAR FROM SOMEBODY FROM CANTON THAT MIGHT SAY. >>ABSOLUTELY. FROM CANTON THAT MIGHT SAY. >>ABSOLUTELY. WE MADE CLEAR TAMEETING OUR >>ABSOLUTELY. WE MADE CLEAR TAMEETING OUR PURPOSE IS NOT GET TOGETHER IN A WE MADE CLEAR TAMEETING OUR PURPOSE IS NOT GET TOGETHER IN A ROOM AND HOLD HANDS AND SING HOW PURPOSE IS NOT GET TOGETHER IN A ROOM AND HOLD HANDS AND SING HOW GREAT THE WORLD WOULD BE IF WE ROOM AND HOLD HANDS AND SING HOW GREAT THE WORLD WOULD BE IF WE COULD ALL GET ALONG. GREAT THE WORLD WOULD BE IF WE COULD ALL GET ALONG. WE ARE LOOKING AT REAM PROBLEMS COULD ALL GET ALONG. WE ARE LOOKING AT REAM PROBLEMS WITH REAL ARE VIEWPOINTS FROM WE ARE LOOKING AT REAM PROBLEMS WITH REAL ARE VIEWPOINTS FROM ALL DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS. WITH REAL ARE VIEWPOINTS FROM ALL DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS. WE ARE WELCOMING ANY INPUT ALL DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS. WE ARE WELCOMING ANY INPUT ANYONE WOULD GIVE US, IT IS MADE WE ARE WELCOMING ANY INPUT ANYONE WOULD GIVE US, IT IS MADE OF UP TYPICALLY PEKIN RESIDENTS ANYONE WOULD GIVE US, IT IS MADE OF UP TYPICALLY PEKIN RESIDENTS BUT WE HAVE ADVISERS WHO OF UP TYPICALLY PEKIN RESIDENTS BUT WE HAVE ADVISERS WHO REGULARLY ATTEND AND SPEAK UP BUT WE HAVE ADVISERS WHO REGULARLY ATTEND AND SPEAK UP AND DISCUSS WHO MAY NOT BE PEKIN REGULARLY ATTEND AND SPEAK UP AND DISCUSS WHO MAY NOT BE PEKIN RESIDENTS BEING LOOKING FROM THE AND DISCUSS WHO MAY NOT BE PEKIN RESIDENTS BEING LOOKING FROM THE OUTSIDE. RESIDENTS BEING LOOKING FROM THE OUTSIDE. WE THINK IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO OUTSIDE. WE THINK IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO GET ALL OF THOSE PERSPECTIVES AT WE THINK IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO GET ALL OF THOSE PERSPECTIVES AT THE TABLE. GET ALL OF THOSE PERSPECTIVES AT THE TABLE. >>IS THAT THE CASE WITH THE RACE THE TABLE. >>IS THAT THE CASE WITH THE RACE RELATIONS COMMISSION IN PEORIA, >>IS THAT THE CASE WITH THE RACE RELATIONS COMMISSION IN PEORIA, THAT YOU HAVE ADVISERS FROM RELATIONS COMMISSION IN PEORIA, THAT YOU HAVE ADVISERS FROM OUTSIDE THE CITY? THAT YOU HAVE ADVISERS FROM OUTSIDE THE CITY? >> WE HAVE PARTNERS. OUTSIDE THE CITY? >> WE HAVE PARTNERS. IN FACT, WE HAVE JUST INTRODUCED >> WE HAVE PARTNERS. IN FACT, WE HAVE JUST INTRODUCED NEW ELEMENT IN THE EQUATION. WE IN FACT, WE HAVE JUST INTRODUCED NEW ELEMENT IN THE EQUATION. WE CALL IT JIM ARDIS VOLUNTEER ARMY NEW ELEMENT IN THE EQUATION. WE CALL IT JIM ARDIS VOLUNTEER ARMY . CALL IT JIM ARDIS VOLUNTEER ARMY . JARVA. . JARVA. >>THE WEB SITE IS BEING JARVA. >>THE WEB SITE IS BEING DEVELOPED, AND SHOULD BE ACTIVE >>THE WEB SITE IS BEING DEVELOPED, AND SHOULD BE ACTIVE VERY SHORTLY. DEVELOPED, AND SHOULD BE ACTIVE VERY SHORTLY. ESSENTIALLY, WHAT WE WANT TO DO VERY SHORTLY. ESSENTIALLY, WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ESSENTIALLY, WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR CITIZENS IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT IS PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR CITIZENS IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT WE KNOW HAVE HELPED US OUT LAST CITIZENS IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT WE KNOW HAVE HELPED US OUT LAST YEAR. WE KNOW HAVE HELPED US OUT LAST YEAR. BUT CERTAINLY INTERESTED IN YEAR. BUT CERTAINLY INTERESTED IN SERVING ON THE COMMISSION. BUT CERTAINLY INTERESTED IN SERVING ON THE COMMISSION. BUT THEY DO HAVE THE EXPERIENCE SERVING ON THE COMMISSION. BUT THEY DO HAVE THE EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE AND THE KNOWLEDGE BUT THEY DO HAVE THE EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE AND THE KNOWLEDGE AND WILLINGNESS TO REALLY MAKE A AND EXPERTISE AND THE KNOWLEDGE AND WILLINGNESS TO REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE, BUT THIS TIME, THEY AND WILLINGNESS TO REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE, BUT THIS TIME, THEY DON'T HAVE ANY MECHANISM TO DO DIFFERENCE, BUT THIS TIME, THEY DON'T HAVE ANY MECHANISM TO DO SO. DON'T HAVE ANY MECHANISM TO DO SO. SO THROUGH THE COMMISSION, WE SO. SO THROUGH THE COMMISSION, WE HOPE TO PUT THEM TO WORK. SO THROUGH THE COMMISSION, WE HOPE TO PUT THEM TO WORK. >>LET ME ASK A SPECIFIC HOPE TO PUT THEM TO WORK. >>LET ME ASK A SPECIFIC QUESTION. >>LET ME ASK A SPECIFIC QUESTION. IN TALKING BEFORE, IN FACT, AMIR QUESTION. IN TALKING BEFORE, IN FACT, AMIR TALKED ON THE PHONE AND ON IN TALKING BEFORE, IN FACT, AMIR TALKED ON THE PHONE AND ON OCCASION, YOU MENTIONED ONE TALKED ON THE PHONE AND ON OCCASION, YOU MENTIONED ONE THING THAT STRUCK ME YOU SAID OCCASION, YOU MENTIONED ONE THING THAT STRUCK ME YOU SAID "ONE OF THE STEPS WE ARE TAKING THING THAT STRUCK ME YOU SAID "ONE OF THE STEPS WE ARE TAKING IS WE BUILT SOME POCKET PARKS ON "ONE OF THE STEPS WE ARE TAKING IS WE BUILT SOME POCKET PARKS ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF PEORIA." IS WE BUILT SOME POCKET PARKS ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF PEORIA." >>CORRECT. THE SOUTH SIDE OF PEORIA." >>CORRECT. >>THE FIRST THING, INCLUDING ME, >>CORRECT. >>THE FIRST THING, INCLUDING ME, THAT WOULD POP TO A PERSON'S >>THE FIRST THING, INCLUDING ME, THAT WOULD POP TO A PERSON'S MIND IS WHY ON EARTH WOULD A THAT WOULD POP TO A PERSON'S MIND IS WHY ON EARTH WOULD A RACE RELATIONS COMMISSION BE MIND IS WHY ON EARTH WOULD A RACE RELATIONS COMMISSION BE INTERESTED IN BUILDING POCKET RACE RELATIONS COMMISSION BE INTERESTED IN BUILDING POCKET PARKS. INTERESTED IN BUILDING POCKET PARKS. WHAT IS THE BENEFIT? PARKS. WHAT IS THE BENEFIT? >> EXCELLENT QUESTION. WHAT IS THE BENEFIT? >> EXCELLENT QUESTION. IN FACT, MANY COMMISSIONERS ALSO >> EXCELLENT QUESTION. IN FACT, MANY COMMISSIONERS ALSO QUESTIONED (LAUGHING) US AS TO IN FACT, MANY COMMISSIONERS ALSO QUESTIONED (LAUGHING) US AS TO WHY WE ARE DOING THIS. QUESTIONED (LAUGHING) US AS TO WHY WE ARE DOING THIS. AND I WILL TELL YOU A LITTLE WHY WE ARE DOING THIS. AND I WILL TELL YOU A LITTLE STORY THAT I THINK IS REALLY AND I WILL TELL YOU A LITTLE STORY THAT I THINK IS REALLY PROFOUND. STORY THAT I THINK IS REALLY PROFOUND. THAT STORY RELATES TO SOMETHING PROFOUND. THAT STORY RELATES TO SOMETHING THAT JOHN F. KENNEDY SAID THAT I THAT STORY RELATES TO SOMETHING THAT JOHN F. KENNEDY SAID THAT I REALLY ABSOLUTELY LOVE. THAT JOHN F. KENNEDY SAID THAT I REALLY ABSOLUTELY LOVE. HE SAID THE PROBLEMS OF THE REALLY ABSOLUTELY LOVE. HE SAID THE PROBLEMS OF THE WORLD CANNOT BE SOLVED BY CYNICS HE SAID THE PROBLEMS OF THE WORLD CANNOT BE SOLVED BY CYNICS AND SKEPTICS WHOSE WHO ARE EYE WORLD CANNOT BE SOLVED BY CYNICS AND SKEPTICS WHOSE WHO ARE EYE ON SONS ARE LIMITED BY THE AND SKEPTICS WHOSE WHO ARE EYE ON SONS ARE LIMITED BY THE OBVIOUS REALITIES WE NEED MEN, ON SONS ARE LIMITED BY THE OBVIOUS REALITIES WE NEED MEN, AND I SAY WOMEN, WHO CAN DREAM OBVIOUS REALITIES WE NEED MEN, AND I SAY WOMEN, WHO CAN DREAM OF THINGS THAT NEVER WERE. AND I SAY WOMEN, WHO CAN DREAM OF THINGS THAT NEVER WERE. AND WHAT TRANSPIRED IS THAT OF THINGS THAT NEVER WERE. AND WHAT TRANSPIRED IS THAT AFTER WE STARTED THIS EXERCISE, AND WHAT TRANSPIRED IS THAT AFTER WE STARTED THIS EXERCISE, WE ASSEMBLED A GROUP OF AFTER WE STARTED THIS EXERCISE, WE ASSEMBLED A GROUP OF VOLUNTEERS, STUDENTS, AND GOOD WE ASSEMBLED A GROUP OF VOLUNTEERS, STUDENTS, AND GOOD PEOPLE FROM OUR COMMUNITY WHO VOLUNTEERS, STUDENTS, AND GOOD PEOPLE FROM OUR COMMUNITY WHO ARE WILLING TO REALLY MAKE A PEOPLE FROM OUR COMMUNITY WHO ARE WILLING TO REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE. ARE WILLING TO REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE. WE WENT TO THE SOUTH SIDE. DIFFERENCE. WE WENT TO THE SOUTH SIDE. THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHERE THE PLACE WE WENT TO THE SOUTH SIDE. THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHERE THE PLACE WAS. THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHERE THE PLACE WAS. IT WAS QUITE AN EXERCISE. WE WAS. IT WAS QUITE AN EXERCISE. WE GOT THERE, AND WE STARTED IT WAS QUITE AN EXERCISE. WE GOT THERE, AND WE STARTED BUILDING. GOT THERE, AND WE STARTED BUILDING. AND TO OUR SURPRISE, THERE WERE BUILDING. AND TO OUR SURPRISE, THERE WERE QUITE A FEW AFRICAN AMERICANS, AND TO OUR SURPRISE, THERE WERE QUITE A FEW AFRICAN AMERICANS, HISPANICS, AND YOU NAME IT. QUITE A FEW AFRICAN AMERICANS, HISPANICS, AND YOU NAME IT. WE WORKED TOGETHER. HISPANICS, AND YOU NAME IT. WE WORKED TOGETHER. AND THEY WERE INCREDIBLY KIND. WE WORKED TOGETHER. AND THEY WERE INCREDIBLY KIND. SERVED US FOOD, WATER, PEPSI, AND THEY WERE INCREDIBLY KIND. SERVED US FOOD, WATER, PEPSI, WHATEVER, SODA. SERVED US FOOD, WATER, PEPSI, WHATEVER, SODA. AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, THERE WHATEVER, SODA. AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, THERE WAS AN AFRICAN AMERICAN LADY AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, THERE WAS AN AFRICAN AMERICAN LADY WITH FIVE CHILDREN. WAS AN AFRICAN AMERICAN LADY WITH FIVE CHILDREN. ONE OF THEM WAS IN A STROLLER. WITH FIVE CHILDREN. ONE OF THEM WAS IN A STROLLER. I WILL NEVER FORGET WHAT SHE ONE OF THEM WAS IN A STROLLER. I WILL NEVER FORGET WHAT SHE SAID. I WILL NEVER FORGET WHAT SHE SAID. SHE CAME TO ME AND SHE SAID, SAID. SHE CAME TO ME AND SHE SAID, "CAN I GIVE YOU A HUG?" SHE CAME TO ME AND SHE SAID, "CAN I GIVE YOU A HUG?" I SAID "SURE." "CAN I GIVE YOU A HUG?" I SAID "SURE." AND SHE HUGGED ME AND SHE GOES," I SAID "SURE." AND SHE HUGGED ME AND SHE GOES," I AM CERTAIN YOU THOUGHT I AND SHE HUGGED ME AND SHE GOES," I AM CERTAIN YOU THOUGHT I HUGGED YOU BECAUSE YOU BUILD A I AM CERTAIN YOU THOUGHT I HUGGED YOU BECAUSE YOU BUILD A POCKET PARK." HUGGED YOU BECAUSE YOU BUILD A POCKET PARK." AND I SMILED. POCKET PARK." AND I SMILED. SHE SAID HUGGED YOU BECAUSE YOU AND I SMILED. SHE SAID HUGGED YOU BECAUSE YOU MADE A TREMENDOUS DIFFERENCE IN SHE SAID HUGGED YOU BECAUSE YOU MADE A TREMENDOUS DIFFERENCE IN THIS TOWN. MADE A TREMENDOUS DIFFERENCE IN THIS TOWN. I LIVED IN PEORIA ON THE SOUTH THIS TOWN. I LIVED IN PEORIA ON THE SOUTH SIDE. I LIVED IN PEORIA ON THE SOUTH SIDE. I HAVE NEVER SEEN CAUCASIANS SIDE. I HAVE NEVER SEEN CAUCASIANS COME HERE AND TALK TO OUR I HAVE NEVER SEEN CAUCASIANS COME HERE AND TALK TO OUR CHILDREN, INTERACT WITH US, AND COME HERE AND TALK TO OUR CHILDREN, INTERACT WITH US, AND REALLY FEEL, MAKE US FEEL THAT CHILDREN, INTERACT WITH US, AND REALLY FEEL, MAKE US FEEL THAT WE ARE VERY SPECIAL. REALLY FEEL, MAKE US FEEL THAT WE ARE VERY SPECIAL. SHE SAID "THAT IS THE EPITOME OF WE ARE VERY SPECIAL. SHE SAID "THAT IS THE EPITOME OF RACE RELATION." SHE SAID "THAT IS THE EPITOME OF RACE RELATION." WE DID TWO MORE. RACE RELATION." WE DID TWO MORE. SECOND TIME AROUND, WE SOUTH THE WE DID TWO MORE. SECOND TIME AROUND, WE SOUTH THE HELP OF ABOUT 20, 25 PEOPLE. SECOND TIME AROUND, WE SOUTH THE HELP OF ABOUT 20, 25 PEOPLE. WE ENDED UP WITH OVER 50 HELP OF ABOUT 20, 25 PEOPLE. WE ENDED UP WITH OVER 50 VOLUNTEERS. WE ENDED UP WITH OVER 50 VOLUNTEERS. ONE OF THEM WAS A BRADLEY VOLUNTEERS. ONE OF THEM WAS A BRADLEY STUDENT WHO IS TAKING FINAL ONE OF THEM WAS A BRADLEY STUDENT WHO IS TAKING FINAL EXAMS THE FOLLOWING WEEK. STUDENT WHO IS TAKING FINAL EXAMS THE FOLLOWING WEEK. AND AT THE END, HE CAME AND GAVE EXAMS THE FOLLOWING WEEK. AND AT THE END, HE CAME AND GAVE ME A HUG. AND AT THE END, HE CAME AND GAVE ME A HUG. HE SAID "DOCTOR, I FEEL SO GREAT ME A HUG. HE SAID "DOCTOR, I FEEL SO GREAT ABOUT MYSELF. HE SAID "DOCTOR, I FEEL SO GREAT ABOUT MYSELF. I WENT TO SCHOOL HERE. ABOUT MYSELF. I WENT TO SCHOOL HERE. I AM READY TO GRADUATE. I WENT TO SCHOOL HERE. I AM READY TO GRADUATE. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE I AM READY TO GRADUATE. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE FELT THAT I AM PROUD OF. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE FELT THAT I AM PROUD OF. I WILL DRIVE BY HERE AND I WILL FELT THAT I AM PROUD OF. I WILL DRIVE BY HERE AND I WILL SAY I HAVE DONE SOMETHING I WILL DRIVE BY HERE AND I WILL SAY I HAVE DONE SOMETHING POSITIVE IN MY LIFE." SAY I HAVE DONE SOMETHING POSITIVE IN MY LIFE." THERE IS A LOT WE CAN DO. POSITIVE IN MY LIFE." THERE IS A LOT WE CAN DO. WE CAN'T HAVE THIS APPROACH OF THERE IS A LOT WE CAN DO. WE CAN'T HAVE THIS APPROACH OF HAVING TO ANALYZE EVERYTHING TO WE CAN'T HAVE THIS APPROACH OF HAVING TO ANALYZE EVERYTHING TO DEATH BEFORE WE DO IT. HAVING TO ANALYZE EVERYTHING TO DEATH BEFORE WE DO IT. I THINK OUR COMMUNITY NEEDS DEATH BEFORE WE DO IT. I THINK OUR COMMUNITY NEEDS HELP, AND WE HAVE A LOT OF GOOD I THINK OUR COMMUNITY NEEDS HELP, AND WE HAVE A LOT OF GOOD PEOPLE IN THIS COMMUNITY WHO ARE HELP, AND WE HAVE A LOT OF GOOD PEOPLE IN THIS COMMUNITY WHO ARE WILLING TO PROVIDE THAT HELP. PEOPLE IN THIS COMMUNITY WHO ARE WILLING TO PROVIDE THAT HELP. SO LET'S GIVE THEM THAT WILLING TO PROVIDE THAT HELP. SO LET'S GIVE THEM THAT OPPORTUNITY. SO LET'S GIVE THEM THAT OPPORTUNITY. LET'S OPEN NEW DOORS OF OPPORTUNITY. LET'S OPEN NEW DOORS OF POSSIBILITYIES TO MAKE THIS A LET'S OPEN NEW DOORS OF POSSIBILITYIES TO MAKE THIS A BETTER COMMUNITY. POSSIBILITYIES TO MAKE THIS A BETTER COMMUNITY. >>WITH THAT IN MIND, KEVIN, DOWN BETTER COMMUNITY. >>WITH THAT IN MIND, KEVIN, DOWN IN CANTON, DO YOU HAVE >>WITH THAT IN MIND, KEVIN, DOWN IN CANTON, DO YOU HAVE THOUGHTS -- I MEAN THIS -- THE IN CANTON, DO YOU HAVE THOUGHTS -- I MEAN THIS -- THE HEADLINES HAVE BEEN BREWING FOR THOUGHTS -- I MEAN THIS -- THE HEADLINES HAVE BEEN BREWING FOR AWHILE. HEADLINES HAVE BEEN BREWING FOR AWHILE. HAVE YOU GIVEN THOUGHT HOW YOU AWHILE. HAVE YOU GIVEN THOUGHT HOW YOU MIGHT GE ABOUT TAKING SOME OF HAVE YOU GIVEN THOUGHT HOW YOU MIGHT GE ABOUT TAKING SOME OF THESE SMALL STEPS THAT ARE AMIR MIGHT GE ABOUT TAKING SOME OF THESE SMALL STEPS THAT ARE AMIR IS TALKING ABOUT? THESE SMALL STEPS THAT ARE AMIR IS TALKING ABOUT? >> YEAH, I THINK WE GO BACK TO IS TALKING ABOUT? >> YEAH, I THINK WE GO BACK TO THE COMMISSION. >> YEAH, I THINK WE GO BACK TO THE COMMISSION. THAT'S A GOOD FIRST STEP. THE COMMISSION. THAT'S A GOOD FIRST STEP. WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THE IDEA THAT'S A GOOD FIRST STEP. WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THE IDEA THAT WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO SEE WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THE IDEA THAT WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO SEE THROUGH OTHER PEOPLE'S EYES. THAT WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO SEE THROUGH OTHER PEOPLE'S EYES. I THINK WHAT -- WHO WOULD HAVE THROUGH OTHER PEOPLE'S EYES. I THINK WHAT -- WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT ON THE SOUTH SIDE THAT I THINK WHAT -- WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT ON THE SOUTH SIDE THAT JUST HAVING A CAUCASIAN SHOW UP THOUGHT ON THE SOUTH SIDE THAT JUST HAVING A CAUCASIAN SHOW UP WOULD HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE OR JUST HAVING A CAUCASIAN SHOW UP WOULD HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE OR MADE AN IMPACT IN SOMEONE'S WOULD HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE OR MADE AN IMPACT IN SOMEONE'S LIFE. MADE AN IMPACT IN SOMEONE'S LIFE. YET FROM WHERE WE SIT, WE SAY "I LIFE. YET FROM WHERE WE SIT, WE SAY "I NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT IT." YET FROM WHERE WE SIT, WE SAY "I NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT IT." SOMEONE ELSE THINKS ABOUT IT. NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT IT." SOMEONE ELSE THINKS ABOUT IT. THAT'S THE FIRST STEP BEING SOMEONE ELSE THINKS ABOUT IT. THAT'S THE FIRST STEP BEING SENSITIVE TO WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THAT'S THE FIRST STEP BEING SENSITIVE TO WHAT OTHER PEOPLE ARE THINKING AND THEIR SENSITIVE TO WHAT OTHER PEOPLE ARE THINKING AND THEIR PERSPECTIVES. ARE THINKING AND THEIR PERSPECTIVES. SO MANY TIMES WE SEE IT FROM OUR PERSPECTIVES. SO MANY TIMES WE SEE IT FROM OUR VIEWPOINT. WE DON'T SEE IT FROM SO MANY TIMES WE SEE IT FROM OUR VIEWPOINT. WE DON'T SEE IT FROM SOMEONE ELSE'S VIEWPOINT. VIEWPOINT. WE DON'T SEE IT FROM SOMEONE ELSE'S VIEWPOINT. THEY HAVE LEGITIMATE CONCERNS. SOMEONE ELSE'S VIEWPOINT. THEY HAVE LEGITIMATE CONCERNS. WE HAVE TO TAKE IT AS THEY HAVE LEGITIMATE CONCERNS. WE HAVE TO TAKE IT AS LEGITIMATE. WE HAVE TO TAKE IT AS LEGITIMATE. IF THEY DON'T FEEL LIKE IT IS LEGITIMATE. IF THEY DON'T FEEL LIKE IT IS LEGITIMATE. IF THEY DON'T FEEL LIKE IT IS LEGITIMATE. THEY DON'T FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE LEGITIMATE. THEY DON'T FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE ANY WORTH. THEY DON'T FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE ANY WORTH. THAT'S WHAT A COMMISSION OR WHAT ANY WORTH. THAT'S WHAT A COMMISSION OR WHAT WE CAN DO AS FAR AS FORMING A THAT'S WHAT A COMMISSION OR WHAT WE CAN DO AS FAR AS FORMING A GROUP THAT WOULD MAKE PEOPLE WE CAN DO AS FAR AS FORMING A GROUP THAT WOULD MAKE PEOPLE LEGITIMIZE THEIR CONCERNS AND GROUP THAT WOULD MAKE PEOPLE LEGITIMIZE THEIR CONCERNS AND THEIR THOUGHTS. LEGITIMIZE THEIR CONCERNS AND THEIR THOUGHTS. WE MAY NOT ALWAYS AGREE ON THEIR THEIR THOUGHTS. WE MAY NOT ALWAYS AGREE ON THEIR PERSPECTIVE. THAT'S OKAY. WE MAY NOT ALWAYS AGREE ON THEIR PERSPECTIVE. THAT'S OKAY. BUT AS LONG AS THEY FEEL PERSPECTIVE. THAT'S OKAY. BUT AS LONG AS THEY FEEL LEGITIMATE AND FEEL LIKE THEY BUT AS LONG AS THEY FEEL LEGITIMATE AND FEEL LIKE THEY WERE BEING HEARD AND SEE ACTION LEGITIMATE AND FEEL LIKE THEY WERE BEING HEARD AND SEE ACTION TS NOT JUST LIP SERVICE, IT IS WERE BEING HEARD AND SEE ACTION TS NOT JUST LIP SERVICE, IT IS ACTION. WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO TS NOT JUST LIP SERVICE, IT IS ACTION. WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO TO HELP SOLVE A PROBLEM. ACTION. WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO TO HELP SOLVE A PROBLEM. >>SIMILAR SITUATION IN PEKIN? DO TO HELP SOLVE A PROBLEM. >>SIMILAR SITUATION IN PEKIN? ARE YOU WALKING IN OTHER >>SIMILAR SITUATION IN PEKIN? ARE YOU WALKING IN OTHER PEOPLE'S SHOES SO TO SPEAK? ARE YOU WALKING IN OTHER PEOPLE'S SHOES SO TO SPEAK? >> ABSOLUTELY MAKING AN EFFORT PEOPLE'S SHOES SO TO SPEAK? >> ABSOLUTELY MAKING AN EFFORT TOO, RIGHT. >> ABSOLUTELY MAKING AN EFFORT TOO, RIGHT. >>THE STARTING POINT IS ONE OF TOO, RIGHT. >>THE STARTING POINT IS ONE OF OPEN EARS, PLEASE COME TALK TO >>THE STARTING POINT IS ONE OF OPEN EARS, PLEASE COME TALK TO US ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING. OPEN EARS, PLEASE COME TALK TO US ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING. WE ARE WORKING ON BOTH SIDES OF US ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING. WE ARE WORKING ON BOTH SIDES OF THAT. WE ARE WORKING ON BOTH SIDES OF THAT. WE ARE THE EARS TO LISTEN, BUT THAT. WE ARE THE EARS TO LISTEN, BUT THEN WE ARE ALSO A VOICE IN CASE WE ARE THE EARS TO LISTEN, BUT THEN WE ARE ALSO A VOICE IN CASE SOMETHING WERE TO COME UP. THEN WE ARE ALSO A VOICE IN CASE SOMETHING WERE TO COME UP. IT IS VERY INTERESTING. SOMETHING WERE TO COME UP. IT IS VERY INTERESTING. WE WERE TALKING BEFORE COMING IT IS VERY INTERESTING. WE WERE TALKING BEFORE COMING OUT HERE TO TAPE THAT HOW MANY WE WERE TALKING BEFORE COMING OUT HERE TO TAPE THAT HOW MANY OF OUR MEMBERS OF OUR COMMITTEE OUT HERE TO TAPE THAT HOW MANY OF OUR MEMBERS OF OUR COMMITTEE ARE ACTUALLY MINORITIES. OF OUR MEMBERS OF OUR COMMITTEE ARE ACTUALLY MINORITIES. THE ANSWER IS MINORITY OF OUR ARE ACTUALLY MINORITIES. THE ANSWER IS MINORITY OF OUR COMMITTEE, MINORITY BACKGROUND. THE ANSWER IS MINORITY OF OUR COMMITTEE, MINORITY BACKGROUND. I THINK I HAVE A VERY UNIQUE COMMITTEE, MINORITY BACKGROUND. I THINK I HAVE A VERY UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE AS A CAUCASIAN I THINK I HAVE A VERY UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE AS A CAUCASIAN PARENT OF TWO AFRICAN CHILDREN PERSPECTIVE AS A CAUCASIAN PARENT OF TWO AFRICAN CHILDREN OF ETHIOPIAN DECENT IN PEKIN. PARENT OF TWO AFRICAN CHILDREN OF ETHIOPIAN DECENT IN PEKIN. I CAN GO AROUND AND TALK TO OF ETHIOPIAN DECENT IN PEKIN. I CAN GO AROUND AND TALK TO PEOPLE ALL DAY LONG, WHICH IS I CAN GO AROUND AND TALK TO PEOPLE ALL DAY LONG, WHICH IS THE TRUTH, IN EIGHT YEARS OF PEOPLE ALL DAY LONG, WHICH IS THE TRUTH, IN EIGHT YEARS OF RAISING A BUY RACIAL FAMILY, I THE TRUTH, IN EIGHT YEARS OF RAISING A BUY RACIAL FAMILY, I HAVE NOT ENCOUNTERED ONE RAISING A BUY RACIAL FAMILY, I HAVE NOT ENCOUNTERED ONE INCIDENT MARKED AGAINST US. HAVE NOT ENCOUNTERED ONE INCIDENT MARKED AGAINST US. EITHER VERBALIZING OR DOING INCIDENT MARKED AGAINST US. EITHER VERBALIZING OR DOING SOMETHING TO US UNKIND BASED ON EITHER VERBALIZING OR DOING SOMETHING TO US UNKIND BASED ON MY CHILDREN'S APPEARANCE. SOMETHING TO US UNKIND BASED ON MY CHILDREN'S APPEARANCE. I CAN SHARE THAT WITH EVERYONE, MY CHILDREN'S APPEARANCE. I CAN SHARE THAT WITH EVERYONE, AND THAT'S ONE PERSPECTIVE. I CAN SHARE THAT WITH EVERYONE, AND THAT'S ONE PERSPECTIVE. THEN I NEED TO BE READY TO AND THAT'S ONE PERSPECTIVE. THEN I NEED TO BE READY TO LISTEN TO SOMEONE WHO HAS A THEN I NEED TO BE READY TO LISTEN TO SOMEONE WHO HAS A DIFFERENT EX PERIENCE OR LISTEN TO SOMEONE WHO HAS A DIFFERENT EX PERIENCE OR DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE. DIFFERENT EX PERIENCE OR DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE. WE ALL DO. DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE. WE ALL DO. >> THE MAKE UP OF THE COMMISSION WE ALL DO. >> THE MAKE UP OF THE COMMISSION IN PEORIA? >> THE MAKE UP OF THE COMMISSION IN PEORIA? >> IT IS AN AMAZING GROUP OF IN PEORIA? >> IT IS AN AMAZING GROUP OF PEOPLE OF I HAVE GOT FOUR >> IT IS AN AMAZING GROUP OF PEOPLE OF I HAVE GOT FOUR MINISTERS SERVING ON THE PEOPLE OF I HAVE GOT FOUR MINISTERS SERVING ON THE COMMISSION, VERY INTERESTED AND MINISTERS SERVING ON THE COMMISSION, VERY INTERESTED AND REALLY MAKING A DIFFERENCE. COMMISSION, VERY INTERESTED AND REALLY MAKING A DIFFERENCE. GOT SEVEN PH.D.'S. REALLY MAKING A DIFFERENCE. GOT SEVEN PH.D.'S. WE HAVE ABOUT SEVEN, AND INS GOT SEVEN PH.D.'S. WE HAVE ABOUT SEVEN, AND INS FACT, IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING A WE HAVE ABOUT SEVEN, AND INS FACT, IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING A FEW MORE AFRICAN AMERICANS ON FACT, IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING A FEW MORE AFRICAN AMERICANS ON THE COMMISSION. FEW MORE AFRICAN AMERICANS ON THE COMMISSION. TOTAL OF ABOUT 20. THE COMMISSION. TOTAL OF ABOUT 20. >>LET ME ASK YOU ABOUT ANOTHER TOTAL OF ABOUT 20. >>LET ME ASK YOU ABOUT ANOTHER INITIATIVE, AND THAT IS LOOKING >>LET ME ASK YOU ABOUT ANOTHER INITIATIVE, AND THAT IS LOOKING AT UNIONS DON'T HAVE A LOT OF INITIATIVE, AND THAT IS LOOKING AT UNIONS DON'T HAVE A LOT OF AFRICAN AMERICAN MEMBERSHIP. AT UNIONS DON'T HAVE A LOT OF AFRICAN AMERICAN MEMBERSHIP. HAVE YOU INVESTIGATED THAT AFRICAN AMERICAN MEMBERSHIP. HAVE YOU INVESTIGATED THAT SITUATION? HAVE YOU INVESTIGATED THAT SITUATION? >> WELL, I AM GLAD YOU ASKED SITUATION? >> WELL, I AM GLAD YOU ASKED THAT QUESTION. >> WELL, I AM GLAD YOU ASKED THAT QUESTION. THE ANSWER IS YES. THAT QUESTION. THE ANSWER IS YES. I THINK WHAT SHAWNA SAID A FEW THE ANSWER IS YES. I THINK WHAT SHAWNA SAID A FEW MINUTES AGO ABOUT LISTENING. I THINK WHAT SHAWNA SAID A FEW MINUTES AGO ABOUT LISTENING. THIS IS PRECISELY WHAT WE DID MINUTES AGO ABOUT LISTENING. THIS IS PRECISELY WHAT WE DID INITIALLY. THIS IS PRECISELY WHAT WE DID INITIALLY. WE TOOK THE TIME TO MEET WITH INITIALLY. WE TOOK THE TIME TO MEET WITH QUITE A FEW PEOPLE IN OUR WE TOOK THE TIME TO MEET WITH QUITE A FEW PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY, AND NEEDED TO QUITE A FEW PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY, AND NEEDED TO UNDERSTAND ALSO SOMETHING VERY COMMUNITY, AND NEEDED TO UNDERSTAND ALSO SOMETHING VERY UNIQUE ABOUT PEORIA. UNDERSTAND ALSO SOMETHING VERY UNIQUE ABOUT PEORIA. WHEN THEY SAY PLAYING IN PEORIA, UNIQUE ABOUT PEORIA. WHEN THEY SAY PLAYING IN PEORIA, THEY DIDN'T SAY CAESAR WILL PLAY WHEN THEY SAY PLAYING IN PEORIA, THEY DIDN'T SAY CAESAR WILL PLAY IN LA, EVEN THOUGH WE ARE THEY DIDN'T SAY CAESAR WILL PLAY IN LA, EVEN THOUGH WE ARE SMALLER THIS. AS VERY UNIQUE IN LA, EVEN THOUGH WE ARE SMALLER THIS. AS VERY UNIQUE COMMUNITY, VERY DIVERSE, OVER SMALLER THIS. AS VERY UNIQUE COMMUNITY, VERY DIVERSE, OVER 15,000 LEBANESE AMERICANS. COMMUNITY, VERY DIVERSE, OVER 15,000 LEBANESE AMERICANS. YOU HAVE GOT ABOUT 30,000 15,000 LEBANESE AMERICANS. YOU HAVE GOT ABOUT 30,000 AFRICAN AMERICANS. YOU HAVE GOT ABOUT 30,000 AFRICAN AMERICANS. YOU HAVE GOT ABOUT 5,000 ASIANS. AFRICAN AMERICANS. YOU HAVE GOT ABOUT 5,000 ASIANS. SO GUESS WHAT, ON THE COMMISSION YOU HAVE GOT ABOUT 5,000 ASIANS. SO GUESS WHAT, ON THE COMMISSION WE HAVE ASIANS, TOO BECAUSE SO GUESS WHAT, ON THE COMMISSION WE HAVE ASIANS, TOO BECAUSE CLEARLY THEY BRING DIFFERENT WE HAVE ASIANS, TOO BECAUSE CLEARLY THEY BRING DIFFERENT SETS OF EXPERIENCES AND CLEARLY THEY BRING DIFFERENT SETS OF EXPERIENCES AND KNOWLEDGE THAT WE LACK. SETS OF EXPERIENCES AND KNOWLEDGE THAT WE LACK. BUT YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND WHAT KNOWLEDGE THAT WE LACK. BUT YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE MAYOR SAID. BUT YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE MAYOR SAID. IT ISN'T ABOUT HIM. THE MAYOR SAID. IT ISN'T ABOUT HIM. IT ISN'T ABOUT THE COMMISSION. IT ISN'T ABOUT HIM. IT ISN'T ABOUT THE COMMISSION. IT IS ABOUT THE COMMUNITY. IT ISN'T ABOUT THE COMMISSION. IT IS ABOUT THE COMMUNITY. THIS DIALOGUE ISN'T JUST ONCE A IT IS ABOUT THE COMMUNITY. THIS DIALOGUE ISN'T JUST ONCE A YEAR. THIS DIALOGUE ISN'T JUST ONCE A YEAR. IT IS ONGOING. YEAR. IT IS ONGOING. WE PUT TOGETHER A FUNCTION IT IS ONGOING. WE PUT TOGETHER A FUNCTION CALLED "PEORIA UNITY LUNCHEON" WE PUT TOGETHER A FUNCTION CALLED "PEORIA UNITY LUNCHEON" HELD APRIL 25 ON A SATURDAY, CALLED "PEORIA UNITY LUNCHEON" HELD APRIL 25 ON A SATURDAY, 2009. HELD APRIL 25 ON A SATURDAY, 2009. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN SHOW 2009. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN SHOW THIS. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN SHOW THIS. >>PROBABLY REFLECTING BECAUSE IT THIS. >>PROBABLY REFLECTING BECAUSE IT IS GLOSSY. >>PROBABLY REFLECTING BECAUSE IT IS GLOSSY. >> MAKE ME LOOK BETTER! IS GLOSSY. >> MAKE ME LOOK BETTER! (LAUGHING) BUT IN ALL SERIOUS >> MAKE ME LOOK BETTER! (LAUGHING) BUT IN ALL SERIOUS NES, THIS WAS BORN AS A RESULT (LAUGHING) BUT IN ALL SERIOUS NES, THIS WAS BORN AS A RESULT OF THE DIALOGUE WE HAVE WITH NES, THIS WAS BORN AS A RESULT OF THE DIALOGUE WE HAVE WITH QUITE A FEW PEOPLE IN THE OF THE DIALOGUE WE HAVE WITH QUITE A FEW PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY. QUITE A FEW PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY. AND THERE WERE FOUR PARTS TO COMMUNITY. AND THERE WERE FOUR PARTS TO THEM. AND THERE WERE FOUR PARTS TO THEM. ONE DEALT WITH THE PRETEST TO BE THEM. ONE DEALT WITH THE PRETEST TO BE A UNION MEMBER. ONE DEALT WITH THE PRETEST TO BE A UNION MEMBER. SO IT ISN'T REALLY FAIR TO BE A UNION MEMBER. SO IT ISN'T REALLY FAIR TO BE CRITICAL OF UNIONS BECAUSE THERE SO IT ISN'T REALLY FAIR TO BE CRITICAL OF UNIONS BECAUSE THERE IS A PROCESS. CRITICAL OF UNIONS BECAUSE THERE IS A PROCESS. SO THERE THERE WAS IS A PROCESS. SO THERE THERE WAS MISINFORMATION AND SO THERE THERE WAS MISINFORMATION AND MISUNDERSTANDING AS TO WHAT IT MISINFORMATION AND MISUNDERSTANDING AS TO WHAT IT TAKES TO JOIN THE UNION. MISUNDERSTANDING AS TO WHAT IT TAKES TO JOIN THE UNION. WE ADDRESSED THAT BY BRINGING TAKES TO JOIN THE UNION. WE ADDRESSED THAT BY BRINGING AFRICAN AMERICANS. WE ADDRESSED THAT BY BRINGING AFRICAN AMERICANS. WE BROUGHT EXECUTIVES FROM THE AFRICAN AMERICANS. WE BROUGHT EXECUTIVES FROM THE UNION TO ACTUALLY INTERACT WITH WE BROUGHT EXECUTIVES FROM THE UNION TO ACTUALLY INTERACT WITH THE AUDIENCE AND ADDRESS UNION TO ACTUALLY INTERACT WITH THE AUDIENCE AND ADDRESS QUESTIONS DIRECTLY AND OPENLY. THE AUDIENCE AND ADDRESS QUESTIONS DIRECTLY AND OPENLY. WE HELD THIS FUNCTION AT THE QUESTIONS DIRECTLY AND OPENLY. WE HELD THIS FUNCTION AT THE TRICOUNTY BUILDING CAN I WE HELD THIS FUNCTION AT THE TRICOUNTY BUILDING CAN I CONTINUE? TRICOUNTY BUILDING CAN I CONTINUE? >> REAL BRIEFLY. CONTINUE? >> REAL BRIEFLY. WE ARE RUNNING OUT OF TIME >> REAL BRIEFLY. WE ARE RUNNING OUT OF TIME (LAUGHING). WE ARE RUNNING OUT OF TIME (LAUGHING). >>I AM JUST STARTING! (LAUGHING). >>I AM JUST STARTING! (LAUGHING). >>I AM JUST STARTING! (LAUGHING). >>BRIEFLY. (LAUGHING). >>BRIEFLY. >>BRIEFLY WE FOCUSED ON >>BRIEFLY. >>BRIEFLY WE FOCUSED ON EDUCATION, AND THE MAYOR IS >>BRIEFLY WE FOCUSED ON EDUCATION, AND THE MAYOR IS TOTALLY COMMITTED TO THAT AREA. EDUCATION, AND THE MAYOR IS TOTALLY COMMITTED TO THAT AREA. WE FOCUS ON YOUTH PROGRAMS AND TOTALLY COMMITTED TO THAT AREA. WE FOCUS ON YOUTH PROGRAMS AND JOB OPPORTUNITIES. WE FOCUS ON YOUTH PROGRAMS AND JOB OPPORTUNITIES. HE IS VERY COMMITTED TO THIS. JOB OPPORTUNITIES. HE IS VERY COMMITTED TO THIS. WE FOCUS ON UNIONS AND PRETEST, HE IS VERY COMMITTED TO THIS. WE FOCUS ON UNIONS AND PRETEST, AND WE ALSO FOCUS ON BUILDING WE FOCUS ON UNIONS AND PRETEST, AND WE ALSO FOCUS ON BUILDING CAPACITY. AND WE ALSO FOCUS ON BUILDING CAPACITY. WE HAVE 30,000 AFRICAN CAPACITY. WE HAVE 30,000 AFRICAN AMERICANS, AND WE DON'T HAVE A WE HAVE 30,000 AFRICAN AMERICANS, AND WE DON'T HAVE A SINGLE GENERAL CONTRACTOR OWNED AMERICANS, AND WE DON'T HAVE A SINGLE GENERAL CONTRACTOR OWNED BY AN AFRICAN AMERICAN. SINGLE GENERAL CONTRACTOR OWNED BY AN AFRICAN AMERICAN. SO WHAT WE HAVE DONE ACTUALLY BY AN AFRICAN AMERICAN. SO WHAT WE HAVE DONE ACTUALLY MOST OF THE MAJOR COMPANIES, SO WHAT WE HAVE DONE ACTUALLY MOST OF THE MAJOR COMPANIES, WILLIAMS BROTHERS, RIVER CITY, MOST OF THE MAJOR COMPANIES, WILLIAMS BROTHERS, RIVER CITY, AND PJ ARE ALL INVOLVED IN THIS WILLIAMS BROTHERS, RIVER CITY, AND PJ ARE ALL INVOLVED IN THIS TO HELP CHANGE THAT FOR THE AND PJ ARE ALL INVOLVED IN THIS TO HELP CHANGE THAT FOR THE BETTER FOR OUR COMMUNITY. TO HELP CHANGE THAT FOR THE BETTER FOR OUR COMMUNITY. >>LET ME TURN TO CANTON. BETTER FOR OUR COMMUNITY. >>LET ME TURN TO CANTON. HAVE YOU HAD A CHANCE TO TALK TO >>LET ME TURN TO CANTON. HAVE YOU HAD A CHANCE TO TALK TO REVEREND OFFITS. HAVE YOU HAD A CHANCE TO TALK TO REVEREND OFFITS. >>I HAD A CHANCE TO TALK WITH REVEREND OFFITS. >>I HAD A CHANCE TO TALK WITH HIM. >>I HAD A CHANCE TO TALK WITH HIM. I SENT A COUPLE NOTICES TO HAVE HIM. I SENT A COUPLE NOTICES TO HAVE A MEETING AND SIT DOWN AND I SENT A COUPLE NOTICES TO HAVE A MEETING AND SIT DOWN AND DISCUSS IT. A MEETING AND SIT DOWN AND DISCUSS IT. I HASN'T GOTTEN BACK TO ME. DISCUSS IT. I HASN'T GOTTEN BACK TO ME. IF HE WANTS TO DISCUSS SOLUTION, I HASN'T GOTTEN BACK TO ME. IF HE WANTS TO DISCUSS SOLUTION, IT IS A GREAT IDEA. IF HE WANTS TO DISCUSS SOLUTION, IT IS A GREAT IDEA. >>AND ARE YOU GOING TO SERIOUSLY IT IS A GREAT IDEA. >>AND ARE YOU GOING TO SERIOUSLY LOOK AT FORMING A COMMITTEE? >>AND ARE YOU GOING TO SERIOUSLY LOOK AT FORMING A COMMITTEE? >> ABSOLUTELY. LOOK AT FORMING A COMMITTEE? >> ABSOLUTELY. I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING WE WILL >> ABSOLUTELY. I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING WE WILL TAKE, AND I THINK WE WILL TALK I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING WE WILL TAKE, AND I THINK WE WILL TALK WITH MAYOR DUNN AND WE ARE TAKE, AND I THINK WE WILL TALK WITH MAYOR DUNN AND WE ARE SITTING BACK AND SEEING HOW THE WITH MAYOR DUNN AND WE ARE SITTING BACK AND SEEING HOW THE COMMISSION IS GOING. SITTING BACK AND SEEING HOW THE COMMISSION IS GOING. WE CAN REACH OUT AND CHAT AFTER COMMISSION IS GOING. WE CAN REACH OUT AND CHAT AFTER THIS AND TALK ABOUT WAYS WE CAN WE CAN REACH OUT AND CHAT AFTER THIS AND TALK ABOUT WAYS WE CAN BE MORE INCLUSIVE. THIS AND TALK ABOUT WAYS WE CAN BE MORE INCLUSIVE. I ONE EXAMPLE WE HAD AN OPENING BE MORE INCLUSIVE. I ONE EXAMPLE WE HAD AN OPENING FOR POLICE OFFICER, ALL MALE, I ONE EXAMPLE WE HAD AN OPENING FOR POLICE OFFICER, ALL MALE, ALL WHITE POLICE FORCE. FOR POLICE OFFICER, ALL MALE, ALL WHITE POLICE FORCE. WE MADE AN EFFORT THIS TIME TO ALL WHITE POLICE FORCE. WE MADE AN EFFORT THIS TIME TO TRY TO REACH OUT. WE MADE AN EFFORT THIS TIME TO TRY TO REACH OUT. 29 APPLICANTS WE TESTED, FIVE TRY TO REACH OUT. 29 APPLICANTS WE TESTED, FIVE WERE MINORITIES CANDIDATES. 29 APPLICANTS WE TESTED, FIVE WERE MINORITIES CANDIDATES. LARGEST GROUP PRIMARILY BECAUSE WERE MINORITIES CANDIDATES. LARGEST GROUP PRIMARILY BECAUSE WE REACHED OUT TO DIFFERENT LARGEST GROUP PRIMARILY BECAUSE WE REACHED OUT TO DIFFERENT AUDIENCE AND SOUGHT THOSE OUT. WE REACHED OUT TO DIFFERENT AUDIENCE AND SOUGHT THOSE OUT. >>A FINAL THOUGHT, THE AUDIENCE AND SOUGHT THOSE OUT. >>A FINAL THOUGHT, THE COMMITTEE, THE COMMISSION, >>A FINAL THOUGHT, THE COMMITTEE, THE COMMISSION, SHOULD THEY BE VIEWED AS A PLACE COMMITTEE, THE COMMISSION, SHOULD THEY BE VIEWED AS A PLACE FOR COMPLAINTS GO OR ARE THEY SHOULD THEY BE VIEWED AS A PLACE FOR COMPLAINTS GO OR ARE THEY MUCH MORE THAN THAT? FOR COMPLAINTS GO OR ARE THEY MUCH MORE THAN THAT? >> MUCH MORE THAN THAT WOULD BE MUCH MORE THAN THAT? >> MUCH MORE THAN THAT WOULD BE MY ANSWER. >> MUCH MORE THAN THAT WOULD BE MY ANSWER. >> AMIR HAS ALREADY SHOWN THAT MY ANSWER. >> AMIR HAS ALREADY SHOWN THAT (LAUGHING). >> AMIR HAS ALREADY SHOWN THAT (LAUGHING). >>RIGHT, WHAT I AM LEARNING HERE (LAUGHING). >>RIGHT, WHAT I AM LEARNING HERE TODAY, WE CAN TALK AND TALK AND >>RIGHT, WHAT I AM LEARNING HERE TODAY, WE CAN TALK AND TALK AND TALK. BUT UNTIL WE TAKE WHAT IS TODAY, WE CAN TALK AND TALK AND TALK. BUT UNTIL WE TAKE WHAT IS IN OUR HEARTS AND MAKE IT INTO TALK. BUT UNTIL WE TAKE WHAT IS IN OUR HEARTS AND MAKE IT INTO TANGIBLE REALITY THAT IMPROVES IN OUR HEARTS AND MAKE IT INTO TANGIBLE REALITY THAT IMPROVES PEOPLE'S LIVES AND EASE SOME OF TANGIBLE REALITY THAT IMPROVES PEOPLE'S LIVES AND EASE SOME OF THE TENSIONS, THEN IT IS JUST PEOPLE'S LIVES AND EASE SOME OF THE TENSIONS, THEN IT IS JUST TALK. THE TENSIONS, THEN IT IS JUST TALK. I DID SOME RESEARCH, AND EASTERN TALK. I DID SOME RESEARCH, AND EASTERN KENYA, AND I LOOKED AT SOME I DID SOME RESEARCH, AND EASTERN KENYA, AND I LOOKED AT SOME REFUGEE POPULATIONS FLEEING KENYA, AND I LOOKED AT SOME REFUGEE POPULATIONS FLEEING CONFLICT THERE. REFUGEE POPULATIONS FLEEING CONFLICT THERE. THEY HAD NEGATIVE PERCEPTIONS OF CONFLICT THERE. THEY HAD NEGATIVE PERCEPTIONS OF REFUGEES AND VICE VERSA. THEY HAD NEGATIVE PERCEPTIONS OF REFUGEES AND VICE VERSA. WHAT IT REALLY COMES DOWN TO IS REFUGEES AND VICE VERSA. WHAT IT REALLY COMES DOWN TO IS SCARTS TY. WHAT IT REALLY COMES DOWN TO IS SCARTS TY. IF LIVES ARE MADE BETTER, IF SCARTS TY. IF LIVES ARE MADE BETTER, IF THERE IS ENOUGH TO GO AROUND, IF LIVES ARE MADE BETTER, IF THERE IS ENOUGH TO GO AROUND, WE'D SEE A LOT OF THIS HATRED THERE IS ENOUGH TO GO AROUND, WE'D SEE A LOT OF THIS HATRED SUBSIDE. WE'D SEE A LOT OF THIS HATRED SUBSIDE. >>WITH THAT, WE ARE OUT OF TIME. SUBSIDE. >>WITH THAT, WE ARE OUT OF TIME. I HOPE YOU WOULD CONSIDER >>WITH THAT, WE ARE OUT OF TIME. I HOPE YOU WOULD CONSIDER CONTINUING THE CONVERSATION IN I HOPE YOU WOULD CONSIDER CONTINUING THE CONVERSATION IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD AS WE WILL DO CONTINUING THE CONVERSATION IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD AS WE WILL DO AFTER THE CAMERA STOPS. YOUR HOUSEHOLD AS WE WILL DO AFTER THE CAMERA STOPS. THANK YOU TO AM OF DOCTOR ALL, AFTER THE CAMERA STOPS. THANK YOU TO AM OF DOCTOR ALL, AND SHAWNA SHIPMAN, AND KEVIN THANK YOU TO AM OF DOCTOR ALL, AND SHAWNA SHIPMAN, AND KEVIN MEADE. AND SHAWNA SHIPMAN, AND KEVIN MEADE. NEXT WEEK ON AT ISSUE, WE WILL MEADE. NEXT WEEK ON AT ISSUE, WE WILL BE BACK TO DISCUSS RURAL NEXT WEEK ON AT ISSUE, WE WILL BE BACK TO DISCUSS RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. BE BACK TO DISCUSS RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE ILLINOIS INSTITUTE OF RURAL REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE ILLINOIS INSTITUTE OF RURAL AFFAIRS, U.S.D.A. GOVERNMENT, ILLINOIS INSTITUTE OF RURAL AFFAIRS, U.S.D.A. GOVERNMENT, AND ALSO REPRESENTATIVES FROM AFFAIRS, U.S.D.A. GOVERNMENT, AND ALSO REPRESENTATIVES FROM STARK COUNTY WILL BE HERE TO AND ALSO REPRESENTATIVES FROM STARK COUNTY WILL BE HERE TO DISCUSS HOW TO BUILD ECONOMIC ~L STARK COUNTY WILL BE HERE TO DISCUSS HOW TO BUILD ECONOMIC ~L STABILITY IN SMALL TOWNS. DISCUSS HOW TO BUILD ECONOMIC ~L STABILITY IN SMALL TOWNS. JOIN US ON THE NEXT "AT ISSUE.">>