TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa City Council unanimously approved forming a race reconciliation committee on Monday. It was an idea first introduced four years ago when the city apologized for its racist past.
Tampa's troubled history has been a topic of discussion for the city council for months.
“Good Americans have to work hard at building bridges of understanding on issues of race. Race has always been the biggest challenge for Americans since 1619, 1776, all the way to today,” Luis Viera from District 7 said.
This committee will address repairing those issues.
“I love the city of Tampa. It's a wonderful city but what effect does that history have on us today? What effect does that history have on people who feel alienated from their country, feel alienated from their communities?” Viera questioned.
“I think it's a great idea, but I can't celebrate just yet,” Yvette Lewis, president of Hillsborough County NAACP, said.
Lewis said if this is done correctly, it will give Black people access to more opportunities on an even playing field.
The city plans to appoint a group of people who will come up with ideas that help with targeting affordable housing, opportunities for formerly incarcerated people, economic development, ignored history and the youth.
“I'm not naïve. This is not going to move mountains, but it can give us forward progress and allow who feel like they’re not listened to, God-willing, be listened to,” Viera said.
Lewis agrees. It's not the answer to all problems, but it's a symbol of power.
“It means giving you strength to stand up strong to hold on don't weep don't wither you just have to keep on pressing on,” Lewis said.
The committee will consist of 13 members. In May, city council members will meet again to discuss who will be the facilitator and make up the committee.