Hartford
“It’s not a leadership role,” Hall said. “It’s much more of a supportive role.”
Hall, a 34-year-old computer engineer from California, is taking on a major challenge in rebuilding the Hartford Committee on Racial Inequality, which was rocked last month by the resignation of three of its members, including then-chairwoman Olivia LaPierre. Right now, he said, the committee is depending on the community’s interest and support.
“I want to fill (the open slots),” Hall said. “I have a hope that more in the community will apply.”
Applications, which are available on the town website, are being accepted by the office of the Town Manager; all applicants will be reviewed and decided upon by Hall and the rest of committee.
Hall said that, when he’s considering applicants, “patience would probably be the number one attribute” that he would look for.
Hall has stepped into the chairmanship at a critical time for the committee, which was temporarily thrown into disarray by the fallout of an exchange between LaPierre and Hartford Police Chief Phil Kasten during an October committee meeting. After Kasten sought to assure committee members that there were no racist ideologies expressed in his department, LaPierre’s response included the statement that “all white people are socialized to be racist.”
The exchange set off an escalating series of events, beginning when committee members Dan Hillard and Allene Swienckowski took exception to LaPierre’s response, and continuing when four members of the Selectboard said they were offended by, or otherwise uncomfortable with, LaPierre’s statement. In mid-November, Hillard, LaPierre and Wayne Miller resigned from the committee. Miller and LaPierre said they saw the criticism as part of a larger pattern of active efforts to undermine the work of the committee; in response, Selectboard Chairman Dick Grassi condemned Selectboard members for not challenging that sentiment, and said the committee has the full support of the Selectboard.
Enter John Hall, whose laid-back demeanor and thoughtful way of speaking (his favorite hobbies include meditation and reading) were on display as he shared an assessment of the situation that included a nuanced blend of compliments and criticism.
“My personal interactions with individual Selectboard members have been supportive,” he said. “Certain statements undermine the credibility of the committee, and it’s interesting because the committee’s credibility reflects on the Selectboard. I wouldn’t say it’s intentional, but some damaging statements were made.”
Hall also credited the Selectboard with forming the racial inequality committee in the first place.
“I think it’s a pretty major accomplishment for the committee to exist,” he said. “The Selectboard took an unprecedented action in the state.”
The Hartford Committee on Racial Inequality was formed after an email containing a racist cartoon was forwarded by Selectboard member Mike Morris; the committee is charged with deciding “upon recommendations to the Selectboard and School Board regarding measures that will address and challenge instances of racism,” and to “decide on recommendations to the Selectboard and School Board regarding other actions that Hartford can take to respond to incidents of racism.”
Hall, who came to Hartford in early 2016 and lives with a roommate in White River Junction, said the furor surrounding the email brought him into contact with other people of color in the community, and those interactions led him to apply to the committee.
Hall said he’s enjoyed experiencing a wealth of community minded people at farmers markets and other area events.
“I was stunned by how beautiful it was, especially when May hit and things started to green,” he said.
But Hall said he also took note of the difference in the tenor of discussions about racism, as compared to his time in Santa Monica.
“In an urban environment, people are more aware of it and more accepting of the fact that it’s a reality,” he said. “They’re aware it’s a real thing.”
Hall said he’s seeking radical change to the baseline assumptions that govern Hartford’s institutions, but that his approach to achieving that change will include “a very light touch, and a lot of listening.” He supports making the committee permanent, rather than disbanding it at the end of its charge in the spring.
“There are so many things, in terms of a transformation, that we would like to see in the school and the police department, and throughout the town,” he said. “These are long-term goals. They’re not going to happen in a few months.”
Hall, who previously had served as the committee’s vice chairman, was installed as chairman by a unanimous vote during the committee’s Nov. 28 meeting; at the same meeting, members voted to elect Sara Campbell as vice chairwoman, and to fill Campbell’s former secretary position with Simon Dennis.
At the moment, Hall’s got the confidence of some of LaPierre’s most ardent supporters, and of those who took issue with some aspects of her leadership.
Selectboard member Rebecca White, who also sits on the committee, said she supports Hall as chairman.
“He’s just such a good listener that I’m really looking forward to seeing how his listening style translates into running a committee,” she said. “He makes you feel like you’re being heard.”
Swienckowski, who challenged LaPierre’s view of some race-related issues, also expressed support for Hall.
“I respect his academic nature, his quiet adherence to making sure things happen. I am more concerned about what we have not done, and I think he is going to be the person who can help us focus in the areas that I don’t think we have,” she said. “… Just be aware, I will be the person that is kicking you and pushing you because I think there are things we need to get done.”
Those who seek to sit on the committee are expected to conform with a baseline of “norms,” which include acknowledging that oppression and institutional racism occur in both Hartford and nationwide. Hall likened the requirement to the Hartford Energy Committee, which consists of environmentally-minded members who can act without debating the science supporting manmade climate change.
Hall said that he anticipates that the conversation about race will continue to be difficult for Hartford.
“The issues that come up are still there,” he said. “More feelings are going to come up.”
Matt Hongoltz-Hetling can be reached at mhonghet@vnews.com or 603-727-3211.