Minneapolis officials debate how to tackle racial disparities
One month after Mayor Betsy Hodges and the City Council vowed to make racial equality a key part of their agenda, council members are debating whether eliminating racial disparities is a realistic goal.
The council is developing strategic priorities that will guide the city over the next four years. A draft of those goals includes eliminating racial inequities in housing, education, income and health.
But Council President Barbara Johnson said achieving that objective in a single four-year term would be impossible.
"We need to be real with people," she said. "We have power to address and influence, but we do not have the ability to eliminate."
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There are wide disparities in Minneapolis between white residents and minority communities in education, employment, health and other areas. Such gaps exist throughout the nation, but they are particularly bad in the Twin Cities.
But Johnson notes the council has little control over education and income.
Hodges, who ran on a promise to reduce racial disparities, envisions a future in which both whites and people of color thrive.
It makes sense for the city to have such ambitious aspirations, Council member Cam Gordon said.
"Just like when we say 'Minneapolis is safe' - well we're not going to say that there's never going to be anyone hurt here," he said.
The city will finalize the goals next month. A public hearing is scheduled for March 5.