On June 16, Clark County councilors unanimously approved a resolution to eliminate “systemic racism and injustice in Clark County.” County Council Chair Eileen Quiring’s memory must be very short. In a June 24 council time meeting, her first opportunity to address systemic racism after resolution adoption, when discussing Sheriff Atkins’ removal of “Thin Blue Line” decals on county property she declared “I do not agree that we have systemic racism in our county. Period.”
I applaud Sheriff Atkins for demonstrating great leadership and his tough decision to remove stickers that members of this community say are threatening and a barrier to an open dialogue to improve relationships with law enforcement. He recognizes we can support both law enforcement and equal justice for all community members.
County councilors should continue to support law enforcement by providing them with appropriate funding and resources, not by denying racism exists in this county. Eileen Quiring would do well to consider this her first attempt in learning; county councilors should continue to embody the resolution language in their work, consider “inherent biases and racism, and work to eliminate these from our hearts and minds,” striving to ensure all community members feel safe and welcome in our community.
