pages: CityCouncil/2021-01-19.pdf, 17
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CityCouncil | 2021-01-19 | 17 | 43 appreciation; the matter is about appreciating diverse history and perpetuating that history; language is intrinsic to the expression of culture and is the means by which culture, its traditions and shared values are conveyed and preserved; the matter is important due to the limited view of history and the world taught in schools; this is an opportunity to correct conversations meant to separate rather than unify; the opportunity is important as a public space where community can gather; expressed support for the staff recommendation. Councilmember Knox White noted the Rename Jackson Park Committee met last week; encouraged everyone to listen to the meeting discussion; stated the discussion has been forwarded to staff members; the only direction previously provided from Council was consideration of Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) community members and equity; Council did not direct a committee be formed; noted the last Recreation and Parks Commission meeting and the current Council meeting are Brown Act meetings; the meetings are publicly attended; people are interested in naming the park Alameda Park; outlined a podcast discussion of the passive park; stated there have been instances of white, wealthy neighborhoods who have tried to show people how they should be living versus accepting cultures; there is an ongoing discussion related to Alameda Park where the community called the location Alameda Park for some time; expressed concern about going back to a name that did not willingly give up land being as problematic as sticking with the name Jackson Park; noted the committee has performed due diligence in selecting the name Chochenyo Park; expressed concern about the potential of name appropriation; requested a friendly amendment to the motion to direct staff to return with an agenda item as part of the two-year budget for the City to pay the Shuumi Land Tax; stated the amendment will honor the work being done as a long overdue first step. Vice Mayor Vella accepted the friendly amendment to the motion. Councilmember Spencer expressed concern about the process; stated the meetings were not infrequent; the matter is important and public meetings should have been held; viewable meetings are not the same as meetings which allow public participation; there is a lot of good work that can happen; outlined her heritage as Mexican-American; stated the criteria showed use of the word Alameda meaning grove of trees as not acceptable; there are no parks in Alameda with Spanish names; outlined the naming of Bayport Park; stated the criteria is meant to be inclusive, yet excludes Spanish names, which is a problem; outlined her experience living in Los Angeles; stated that she has been subjected to racism; expressed concern about a criteria which excludes Spanish words; stated that she wonders at what point will a Spanish named park be allowed; Spanish people are people of color, have historically been left behind in the Country and suffer the same low-income, poverty struggles; expressed support for consideration of Spanish names being included; stated that she sees excluding Spanish words as institutional racism; expressed support for a criteria which includes Spanish names. Ms. Williams stated that she validates Councilmember Spencer's heritage and that there is underrepresentation as part of the BIPOC community; the choice of not selecting Alameda had nothing to do with the word being Spanish and had nothing to do with discriminating against Spanish people; the reason Alameda was not chosen due to the historical context of the Alameda Hotel and Alameda Park housing subdivision which were exclusionary of people of color; the intent was to put forth new energy and representation for the park in having a new cultural and diverse name; new parks are being built and other parks need to be renamed; expressed support for Spanish names being appropriate for parks; stated there are many exclusionary things for members of the BIPOC community; Alameda Park has the roots of colonization and an exclusionary subdivision; the committees intentions were not to discriminate Regular Meeting Alameda City Council January 19, 2021 | CityCouncil/2021-01-19.pdf |