Racial Equity
In response to nationwide racial unrest in the summer of 2020, the Borough of Carlisle made a commitment to examine their role in racial oppression and how Council can help borough government and the community make strides toward racial reconciliation and improvement of conditions for those who live and/or work in the Borough of Carlisle.
On Saturday, January 16, the Borough held an inaugural Town Hall in coordination with the Carlisle Martin Luther King Commemoration Committee and hopes to kick-off a series of deep dives into the racial history, current condition, and the hope for future racial reconciliation. In November, Borough Council passed a resolution citing the past mistakes the Borough committed regarding the Lincoln Cemetery and restated their commitment to doing the work necessary to prevent missteps in the future.
You can watch the Town Hall on YouTube. View the slides from Deputy Mayor Shultz's presentation here.
Truth and Reconciliation Commission
On March 11, 2021, Borough Council At Thursday's meeting, Borough Council unanimously voted to approve a resolution establishing a Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).
The TRC was born out of a community town hall on racial equity held earlier this year. Over one hundred individuals attended this town hall to share stories, ask questions, highlight issues of racial inequity, and make recommendations.
The TRC will consist of seven members appointed by Council, including individuals representing communities that have been and are marginalized and oppressed by systemic racism. A member of both Borough Council and staff will serve as liaisons to the commission.
The TRC's work will include examining and documenting policies, practices, and actions by the Borough and Borough Council that have contributed to racial inequity and systemic racism in the community. The commission will also provide opportunities for those impacted by systemic racism to share their experiences and will facilitate conversations among and between community members of various backgrounds.
View the Resolution
