The Commission on the Status of Black Males discussed opening a dialogue after a false December rape accusation implicated a young black man.
In early December, a 22-year-old Bloomington woman’s accusation of rape was found to be false.
After the Bloomington Police Department circulated a composite image of a young black male, a man came to them with evidence the claim could have been retaliation for monetary disputes and other disagreements.
CSBM chair Cornelius Wright said the case should launch a discussion about the false accusation.
“From our sense, historically, black men have been accused of raping white women and that charge has had severe consequences,” he said.
As the Commission on the Status of Women did not reply to a letter requesting more discussion at the start of the year, Wright said, he will introduce himself at the CSW’s next meeting on May 5, to bring the issue to the group’s attention.
“I think it’s something we really need to address,” he said.
The commission also discussed different resources for young women, voter education and further recruitment at the Wednesday meeting.
The CSBM may help address other female-inclusionary issues, Wright said, pertaining to young students.
Wright said he heard from a teacher that girls at University Elementary School with disciplinary problems would benefit from exposure to female role models in the community.
“We obviously have the Commission on the Status of Women,” Wright said. “It’s always good when the commissions work together.
As there is no commission meant specifically for black women and girls, Wright said the CSBM would look for clubs and groups to whom he could refer people with similar queries.
David Hummons, a committee members, said he thought the problem with young female students is twofold.
There likely aren’t enough minorities in teaching positions where young people can look up to them, he said.
The schools also don’t teach cultural competency to teachers and students, Hummons added.
“There’s no one around, culturally, socially, to deal with this problem,” he said.
As a way to keep students in school, instead of out on suspension, Hasan suggested pulling together a group from the community to “empower” parents of children facing suspension.
Suspending young students away from school is counter-productive, the commission agreed.
The commission also agreed parents likely don’t know that they can appeal out of school suspensions.
“The school doesn’t actually dictate,” Hasan said. “You have recourse.”
A Voting Literacy Work Group, headed by the Commission on Hispanic and Latino Affairs, will meet to promote electoral education to minorities April 23 at City Hall.
Wright said the CSBM supported the initiative, along with the League of Women Voters, according to the CHLA’s memo.
The CSBM is also beginning to recruit more members to serve on volunteer action committees.
Hasan had drafted a letter to send to people the CSBM wanted to recruit for four action committees on each of its focus areas: education, health and wellness, employment, and criminal justice.
“You meet people all the time in different areas,” Hasan said.
“It think it’s important to tap into some of the things they’ve seen and recognized, but may not have a platform for.”
