Background
In 2018-2019, the Caswell Chapter of The Health Collaborative (CCTHC) performed an environmental scan and concluded that the primary non-medical driver of poor health in the county was the fact that Caswell County is tremendously under-resourced, due to the historic and ongoing oppression of its people based on race and class. That same year, Caswell’s Community Health Assessment identified racism as one of the leading factors most negatively impacting quality of life in our community and prioritized improved race relations. The Dan River Region’s 2021 Health Equity Report revealed deep disparities in health outcomes and social determinants of health. It is important to note that the Health Equity Assessment was conducted during 2021, when we saw a marked increase in polarization across the country. Focus groups held during the Health Equity Assessment that led to the report and community conversations held in 2022 after the report’s release revealed that our community had an aversion to talking about race and was fearful of being involved in local decision making.
In the fall of 2022, as they explored potential strategies to address the lack of civic involvement and increased political hostility and intimidation, the CCTHC reached out to North Carolina’s Human Relations Commission (NCHRC) who visited the county to learn more and connect stakeholders with other resources. Gene Troy, with NCHRC presented at the January CCTHC meeting. He shared details about the role and function of local HRCs. CCTHC stakeholders agreed a local commission would help ensure a continued focus on improving human relations within the county and several community members volunteered to form an Initiating Committee that would explore the feasibility of establishing a local HRC.
The Work Starts
The Initiating Committee for Caswell’s HRC first met in April of 2023. That group took a deeper dive into historical context and present-day human relations issues facing Caswell residents. They explored other local HRCs to determine how they functioned and how a local HRC might benefit Caswell. This exploration included a thorough review of NCHRC recommendations and bylaws from local HRC’s across the state.
After determining that a local HRC would in fact benefit Caswell, the next big decision the Initiating Committee was asked to make was whether the Caswell HRC would be a stand-alone volunteer commission or if it would be attached to, and derive its power from, a local government board such as the Board of Commissioners. The Initiating Committee determined the community would be best served by a fully autonomous volunteer HRC and began to draft a set of bylaws.
On September 14, 2023, the Initiating Committee came together for a fourth reading and approved bylaws forming Caswell’s Human Relations Commission (Caswell HRC) to promote equitable practices; to discourage discrimination based on race, gender and gender identification, sexual orientation and identification, national origin, age, disability, religious or political affiliation; socioeconomic, family, or veteran status; to protect each person’s lawful interests and personal dignity; and, to promote civil discourse, cultural competence, and equal opportunity in Caswell County.
All seven members of the Initiating Committee agreed to serve on Caswell’s HRC, which laid out its duties as follows:
- The Commission will work with community partners to learn more about the policies, practices, and customs that are likely to create disparate outcomes or animosity and unrest among racial, ethnic, and social groups; explore best practices; and, as appropriate, share recommendations.
- The Commission will serve as an advocate for marginalized communities and populations facing disproportionately poor outcomes within Caswell.
- The Commission will promote the provision of equitable services by local systems and institutions, and work to raise awareness, understanding, and implementation of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion principles among those systems and institutions.
- The Commission will serve as a conduit for information regarding hate crimes, exploitation, bias activity, and political intimidation, connecting the local community to the North Carolina Human Relations Commission.
Caswell HRC added two additional members in November and are working to finalize their 2024 Workplan which focuses heavily on training for its members and the broader community.
Next Steps
As we move into 2024, the Caswell HRC hopes that you will consider them a partner in the important work you do here in the community. We hope that you will keep us informed of the challenges your organization, its staff, and the residents you serve face each day and that you will let us know what types of trainings or other resources might help you and your agency ensure improved human relations, equitable access to opportunity, and reduced disparities.
The Caswell HRC recognizes that improving human relations is long-term change work and that residents and local organizations may be at very different places in their levels of understanding and capacities to respond. We hope to be a resource for you on that learning journey and encourage you to reach out if you are in need of a thought partner, or help identifying additional resources or best practices. We are here to help, not to judge.
You can contact the Caswell County Human Relations Commission via email at [email protected] or at 336-694-9331 ext 221.