Get Involved Wisconsin, Inc.
Statement on Diversity, Inclusivity and Equity
In the past several months, there has been imprudent, irresponsible and reckless activity by our local government and local leaders to create a solution/statement/policy on Diversity, Inclusivity, and Equity (D.I.E.) in response to a problem which does not exist. The majority (two-thirds) of the Marathon County Board’s Commission on Diversity is composed of unelected and unaccountable individuals who have presented at least seven versions of a statement on D.I.E. that has been roundly rejected by the county board executive committee and the overwhelming majority of Marathon County citizens.
In response to an inflammatory and out of touch mainstream media hit piece from the failing New York Times, Wausau Mayor Katie Rosenberg recklessly and unilaterally issued an identical proclamation without seeking discussion from the city council or soliciting the input of the majority of Wausau taxpayers. Furthermore, Alderman Tom Neal, Chair of the City of Wausau Economic Development Committee, exacerbated the matter by bullying those on the committee and irresponsibly insulting the majority of residents who stand in opposition to this unnecessary and unfounded resolution. In a calculated attempt to pass this without debate or discussion, the resolution was added to the city council “consent” agenda, which means it would have passed without debate or discussion by the council members or input from the public.
The Wausau Area Chamber of Commerce has impulsively and heedlessly presented its own statement on D.I.E. Disappointingly, the Chamber, like the County Board, appears to have outsourced the effort to a separate and partisan committee – a committee that has reportedly been kept secret from board members and the general membership of the Chamber.
One of the most vocal proponents of the D. I. E. initiative on the County Board has been District 3 Supervisor William Harris. One year ago, Mr. Harris had this to say about Wausau/Marathon County, which directly contradicts the divisive narrative that he is now pushing:
“I’m extremely passionate about this community. I moved here in 2018, and since then, I have been able to see firsthand the opportunities available and the ability to make a significant impact on the lives of people in the community. When I relocated to Wausau, during my first full day here, I remember immediately noticing the friendliness of the people. As I walked down the street, a number of people I met would say hello or ask me how I was doing. It’s a small thing, but at the time, it was huge. I didn’t know anyone here yet, but I knew I was in the right place. I have been blessed to be a part of and serve my community through a number of organizations and boards. All those initial conversations opened doors and have allowed me to actively participate in this city. Presently, I am the Vice President of the Wausau Police and Fire Commission, a Member of the Wausau Police Task Force, a Member on the Board of Directors for the Hmong American Center, and a Member on the Board of Directors for the Boys and Girls Club of the Wausau Area. I mention these roles because I think it demonstrates the amazing opportunities to serve that are available here.”
A quick check of the Wisconsin Department of Justice statistics – the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) database, as well as the Wisconsin Incident-Based Reporting System (WIBRS) is very telling. Offenders tied to Racial Bias Incidents as reported by the Marathon County Sheriff’s Office between 2016 and 2020 was one incident. Offenders tied to Racial Bias Incidents as reported by the Wausau Police Department between 2016 and 2020 was three incidents. Three people in that time span committed crimes that had some measure of racial issues.
What is the problem? Is there really a divisive and racist culture in Marathon County?
We reject this premise. Why? Because Marathon County is already a Community for All. In how they live their everyday lives, the overwhelming majority of the good citizens of Marathon County already embrace the words of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who proclaimed in his ‘I Have a Dream’ speech, that we judge a person on “the content of his character and not the color of his skin.” We reject the divisiveness of this resolution and the race-baiting narrative that has become the mantra of the extreme left in this country – and evidently – the extreme left in this community.
We don’t see the problem – we rise above it and stand opposed to the efforts to brand the citizens of Marathon County as racist.
We do not see the same issue that our local government and local leaders have created. We call them out and demand that they drop this smear of the good people of our community and apologize for the discord that they have caused. We insist that our local leaders get back to the business of representing the majority of citizens, focus on that which unites us, and cease activity that only breaks down and divides.
Get Involved Wisconsin is a non-profit grassroots group formed to mobilize citizens to participate and take action to address decisions made by government officials that effect our lives in our local communities.
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