[Vision2020] Religion Has No Part in Process

[deb]

Exactly my concerns. I realize she is young, and perhaps a bit foolish, but where is the training on diversity and tolerance that would prevent this obviously biased person from carrying those biased views into the workplace? Latah County is diverse, and is becoming more so daily. These biases need to be addressed, even if only held by one silly young person working there. I am sure she is intelligent and well qualified for the position for which she was hired--she would not have been hired otherwise, given the hiring process--but does that process take into account the need to work with a diverse population in a respectful and professional manner? Following hiring, is there mandatory diversity training for employees? 

I know from people of color who live in Latah County that they are terrified of being stopped on the highway (more so than the rest of us who just hate to be stopped). Latah County is a great place to live, but our reputation still is linked with the north Idaho Neo-Nazi folks. I have students of color who will not come to my home in rural Latah County unless I am driving. For them, the police are part of the problem. It may not be the truth, but it is part of their view of reality. It doesn't help that the young person in question at the Sherriff's office sent messages to a religious organization linked to the League of the South (and, believe me, people of color know about that organization in a bad context!!) promoting the Sherriff's office as a place for them.

I believe the  Sherriff's Department has sent officers to the Finding the Center Conference Human Rights Conference (someone check me if I'm wrong), and I know this is an issue about which our Sherriff cares. Perhaps some visible training announcements could assist in changing the perception of Latah County as a bastion of intolerance and bias? 

I know I have to counter this perception of racism in Idaho on a daily basis. I hear "I want to go to the Palouse Mall, but I know I'm going to be watched like I'm a shoplifter", "If I get stopped by the police in Idaho I will just go to jail and maybe get beat up", "I need something from.......but don't dare go to Moscow. They are racist. Could you pick it up for me?", and, from my friends who live way out on Highway 95 North, "I'm going to be coming home late from work tonight. Can I stay at your house? I'm afraid of getting stopped because I'm driving while being Black." Again, it is about being afraid of our reputation, not about knowing the truth of our community. We didn't earn it, but we have to own it. We also have to change it.

I'm tired of being labeled as a North Idaho Redneck Racist when I live in a diverse and accepting community. I love Moscow and Latah county. Who we really are is not on the radar. The anti-diversity, Neo-Nazi image still prevails. I want to change this perception. As a community, how can we do this? Step up to the plate, you lurkers. get some guts. Find a positive way to make the change. Stop talking about it and DO something!!!

Debi R-S

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Ted Moffett 
  To: Sue Hovey 
  Cc: MoscowVision 2020 
  Sent: Saturday, August 25, 2007 2:55 PM
  Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Religion Has No Part in Process



  Sue et. al.

  Assuming this communication was sent from Latah County Law enforcement computers, personal use of work computers, whether in the public or private sector, is sometimes tolerated.  But sent from a tax payer supported work computer or not, this e-mail sent to a church business list (this was not a purely personal communication) expressing religious and gender bias (the e-mail did not merely inform of job openings, but expressed a desire for "Christian men" to fill the ranks) from an employee of the Latah Sheriff Dept. raises serious issues that an apology and press release do not fully address. 

  Expressing preference for a specific religion and gender in a communication to recruit fellow employees demonstrates arrogance towards and disregard of the principle of non-discrimination in hiring, a principle that all tax payer supported employees of all public institutions should be thoroughly aware of and respect.  

  Given this employee would prefer to have "Christian men" employed by the Latah Sheriff's Dept, how well would this employee work with, for example, a Wiccan, atheist or Islamic co-worker?  What about a lesbian?  And in the "battle against evil," will this employee be capable of maintaining total objectivity on the job, regarding ethical issues that are problematic for their religion, given their obvious religious bias?  

  I doubt it.  And this doubt extends to the objectivity that any religious fundamentalist or extreme ideologue might be capable of applying on the job.

  The fact this employee appeared oblivious to the ethical flaw in promoting religious and gender discrimination (though we are being led to believe this employee was not representing the department when sending this communication?) in the hiring process for a public service job clearly expresses the insular bias that is unconsciously embedded in the mentality of religious fundamentalism.  

  Quotes from the communication in question:

  "We currently have three open positions down in our jail," she wrote. "It
  would be great to see them filled with Christian men. The Lieutenant of the
  jail, Jim Loyd, is a strong Christian and so are several of the detention 
  deputies." 

  "You are issued a handgun and rifle, and you get to work for Sheriff Wayne
  Rausch, a wonderful Christian," she continues. "Working as a cop is an
  excellent opportunity for Christians to be at the forefront in the battle 
  against evil."
  --------------------
  Ted Moffett



   
  On 8/24/07, Sue Hovey <suehovey at moscow.com > wrote: 
    Roger, et al.  When one is posting a message on a computer which belongs to
    the place where you work, the message better be in compliance with hiring 
    practice and the law.  Regardless of her views, she should not be posting
    them on a computer that does not specifically belong to her.


    Sue
    ----- Original Message -----
    From: "lfalen" < lfalen at turbonet.com>
    To: "keely emerinemix" < kjajmix1 at msn.com>; "Debbie Gray"
    < graylex at yahoo.com>; "Tom Hansen" < thansen at moscow.com>; "MoscowVision 2020"
    <vision2020 at moscow.com> 
    Sent: Friday, August 24, 2007 11:43 AM 
    Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Religion Has No Part in Process


    > Keely
    > You and many other may disagree with her, but there was nothing wrong with
    > her expressing her views. It  was intended to be a private communication. 
    > It was not an official job posting or representing the department in any
    > way. What is suspect is the leaking of a private communication to Vera
    > White.
    > Roger
    >


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