Could a Trayvon Martin Type Incident Happen Here?
Do you think a Trayvon Martin-type incident could occur in Montgomery County?
That’s the question an upcoming event hosted by the Montgomery County and City of Rockville Human Rights Commissions will explore during a discussion on the topics of racial, ethnic and community relations on Feb. 1.
“We thought that it is important that the community be engaged in conversation about the status of race relations in the county,” said James Stowe, Director of Montgomery County’s Office of Human Rights. “The Trayvon Martin case provide an excellent study in contrast of how a community confronted a highly controversial issue, their failures and their successes.”
The forum will be moderated by Dr. Sheryl Brissett Chapman, executive director for the National Center for Children and Families, and will feature discussions with community relations experts.
The Trayvon Martin incident that took place two years ago in Sanford, Florida, will provide a starting point for the conversation, challenging participants to consider what they would do in a similar situation.
“The hope is to create honest dialogue about the issue of race and more directly addressing how our community might react and what decision making might be in place should such an incident happen in our county,” Stowe said.
The event will take place at the Executive Office Building Auditorium in Rockville on Feb. 1 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
“Every community is susceptible to such a incident, the big question is how communities react to such crisis,” Stowe said. “Is there a plan?Who takes the lead? What is the role of various sectors of our community?”
Stowe said that his office hopes to follow up the event with a series of discussions called “Courageous Conversations” that provides the community with a forum to talk about the issues of race in the County.
Find more information about the Montgomery County Human Rights Commission through their website here.
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