Racism

Derek Dzinich

Candidate for District 2 Assembly

Yes, I think that Juneau has historically and currently had an issue, had a major problem with racism. Just today, I was at the City Museum looking at the exhibit there which focused on the internment of Alaska Native people during World War II. And you know, I just want to say that while we’ve made obvious progress since then, more progress must be made, especially in light of our national dialogue on racial inclusion and social justice. I think that Assembly member Edwardson’s legislation surrounding the systemic racism review committee is robust and an important step forward. But ultimately, it is on the Assembly to respond to the recommendations made by that committee and that’s why I think it’s absolutely essential that our electorate that our elected representatives recognize this issue, and are prepared to respond to the recommendations raised by this committee. So I support the committee and I think that it’s a crucial step forward in addressing where we are with racial politics in Juneau.

Lacey Derr

Candidate for District 2 Assembly

You know, I think as a whole we all just need as a nation, we need to start looking deeper. We need to step out of the, “What do I think?” and we need that collective opinion. We need everyone looking at it from all sides. We don’t want to continue to exclude, not even realizing that we are making these exclusions in our decisions. So I really am appreciative of the systemic racism review committee. I think that is going to make some great changes, or at least provide some increased voice to the decisions that we make. And we can work together to further include everyone. It is that unintended exclusion, that we want to avoid. And, whereas I think Juneau is right on the forefront again, we are Alaskans, Alaskans definitely have to work together in order to make things work. And I think that we’ve done a great job so far, but I think there’s always improvement that we can make. And I think we’re doing a great job for that. 

Robert Shoemake

Candidate for District 2 Assembly

I think racism exists anywhere people exist. People will always find ways to say they’re better than another person, whether it’s by beliefs, color of skin. I think racism exists. I think what we should focus on is do we have the same civil opportunities? Does everyone have the same opportunities, no matter what? There will always be things that divide us economically. How much money we have versus not having enough money. Having equal power opportunities is, is pretty much where we’re looking at. And I personally haven’t experienced much racism here in Juneau, but I would think I would probably be in the minority. I would have to leave it up to the individuals though, to bring that forward. Now, what is the easiest way to do that? I’m not sure. Simply emailing someone and that being brought to a board is probably the best solution. And then just following up on that and making sure that’s addressed if it can be addressed. Some things you’re just not going to address. You can’t change people’s beliefs with laws and mandates.

Christine Woll

Candidate for District 2 Assembly

I definitely think that racism is present in Juneau and I think the first step to addressing it is acknowledging it. We need to acknowledge that racism is here and that Black lives matter and that Native lives matter and that people of colors’ lives matter. As a white person, I think it’s my job to listen to people of color when they say that they don’t always feel equally treated in this community and I’ve heard that and I think we’ve definitely heard that in the last few months. The systemic racism (review) committee that the Assembly just approved I think is an important step because it allows us the opportunity to listen to experts to tell us how our policies may be perpetuating disparities. Or how to make policies that are actually going to be anti-racist. And I think there are easy things that we can do, too. So, as an example, more Alaska Native art and language and culture in our public places I think helps show the community that that’s an important part of our identity.

Alicia Hughes-Skandijs

Candidate for District 1 Assembly

Well, I think systemic racism is just a sad, unfortunate reality of our entire society. And I don’t think Juneau is immune. I think that this is something that there is real desire in the community for us to make progress on, myself included. The systemic racism review committee was a great first step. But I would like to see us continue working on this and it’s important — it’s an important conversation to have — but it’s important that we do more than just talk. That will provide us with some good information as we continue that process.

Kenny Solomon-Gross

Candidate for District 1 Assembly

Myself, I believe that what we need to do is we need to bring in an independent auditor that has no skin in the game in Juneau and to come in and audit our ordinances that we’ve had for the past several years and look at them and see if there’s any systematic racism within these ordinances. If there is, we need to correct them before we can go forward. I’m always a person that always wants to look going forward. But in history, if you don’t look where your mistakes happen, you’re never going to be able to fix them going forward.

Maria Gladziszewski

Candidate for Areawide Assembly

Yes, Juneau has a problem with racism just as every other community in the nation does. In fact, the phrase used by advocates recently in the last month when there was a march talked about, “Juneau is not immune.” And I think that’s right. And we started with establishing a systemic racism review committee and begin to work our way through these issues. They’re difficult, they’re long–term and we have to begin addressing them.

You know, the filming of the murder of George Floyd was only the most recent example of the sorts of treatment people of color have endured for generations. The only new thing is that it’s being filmed and now I can see it. And we need to do better.