EDIE ZUVANICH Special to the Press
HUTTO – Hutto’s diversity, equity and inclusion commission is trying to bridge the divide that many say is festering within the city and its leadership. Commission Chair Jacqueline Coleman announced the commission is working on a strategic plan to build an environment where everyone can feel they belong.
“We’re developing a road map to create a culture of understanding, compassion, belonging. It’s not to be for labeling or punishment,” she said. “One of the things I would like to say is when mistakes are made, we acknowledge, validate, apologize and learn to create understanding.” Coleman, along with fellow commission members Tara Spoons and Cory Denena, accepted a proclamation from Mayor Mike Snyder in honor of Juneteenth.
Snyder has been under fire in claims of racial discrimination regarding city leadership. His responses have fallen on deaf ears according to many of the Black community in Hutto. The DEI commission’s work appears to be trying to mend the rift.
“One of the goals is to understand the difference between intent and impact,” Coleman said of the DEI commission’s strategic plan. “I think all of us can remember a time when we thought something was good and we had great intentions, but it didn’t necessarily go the way we thought. I think we can look to sports and some of our athletes. They have some of the shortest memories, they make a mistake, they get up, they move on.”
Coleman said the commission has been looking at DEI strategies from other cities to determine the best way forward, and that they are working to develop a plan that corresponds with Hutto’s “pillars” or values, and that DEI is everybody’s responsibility.
One of the Black community members who has called on Snyder to resign over racial discrimination claims is fellow Council Member Brian Thompson.
“I want to emphasize the significance of considering impact over intent, as Mrs. Coleman pointed out. Embracing inclusivity means recognizing the effects of our words and actions on others. When we justify ourselves by claiming we didn’t mean to cause harm, we invalidate the feelings of those we hurt. It’s essential that we take responsibility for the impact we have on our community,” said Thompson, who chose not to stand with fellow council members and DEI commission members during the mayor’s Juneteenth proclamation.
“While Hutto is making progress towards equality, we must do more to support everyone, even those with differing viewpoints or opinions. Juneteenth serves as a reminder that we are still on the path to justice and inclusivity, and we must ensure our actions match our intentions for a fairer society.”
Juneteenth is a recognition of June 19, 1865, nearly two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation and permanently abolished slavery, when Texas was forced to acknowledge the war was over and slavery was ended.
Juneteenth celebrations can be traced back as far as 1986. In 1980, Juneteenth became an official Texas state holiday. Since then, 45 other states and the district of Columbia have also declared it an official holiday. In 2021, President Joe Biden signed into law the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, which made June 19 an official federal holiday.
Hutto city offices will be closed June 19.
Credit to city of Hutto
