Bend Councilor Bill Moseley explains ‘no’ vote on forming human rights, equity panel

(Update: Adding Moseley statement)

Councilors voted in favor of the commission 6-1

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The city of Bend is adding a new commission to help make progress on human rights and equity issues in the city. On Saturday, the lone city councilor to oppose the move provided a statement to explain his vote.

At Wednesday night's city council meeting, councilors voted in 6-1 in favor of adding a Human Rights and Equity Commission (with Councilor Bill Moseley casting the lone no vote).

City Councilor Bruce Abernethy told NewsChannel 21 the commission will help serve underserved and marginalized groups in Bend.

“The whole point about this is to really help bring their voice to the table,” Abernethy said.

The commission will consist of nine to 13 Bend residents who represent what are referred to marginalized community members.

According to Abernethy, the commission will be formed over the next couple of months. It will likely meet once or twice a month ,and members will be approved through an application process.

In Wednesday's meeting City Manager Eric King said the application process would open in mid-November and last about six weeks.

The commission is part of the city’s diversity, equity and inclusion project, in which the city wants to share the power, build relationships, represent, advocate, create systemic change and offer more services for underrepresented communities. 

“This will be an opportunity again to have a forum for people who feel that the system where they are is not working,” Abernethy told NewsChannel 21 on Friday.

Learn more about the commission and the proposed goals here: https://www.bendoregon.gov/government/committees/human-rights-and-equity-commission. Here is a link to the issue summary that was before the council Wednesday night.

On Saturday, Moseley, who is not seeking another term on the council, provided NewsChannel 21 with this statement explaining his vote against the move:

"I believe any strategy of reacting to racism with “anti-racism” will make matters worse, not better.  In my own life experience, I’ve found that every action has an equal and opposite reaction.  “Anti-racism” will cause more racism, ironically.  The HREC is yet another step towards division and confrontation.

"MLK said it better, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.  Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”  Even hatred of racism will not drive out racism. In my opinion, we need to carefully avoid actions of rejection and confrontation, and communicate understanding for even that which we find reprehensible. 

"I don’t need to accept racism. I might get further in ending racism though, by finding compassion for a person who suffered or feared so greatly that he or she would despise another based on the color of their skin.  People are naturally loving, social beings.  I can also stand firmly to assure the rights of those harmed by racism.  I can find love for both – and that gives us a third way forward on this issue.

"Beyond the adverse consequences of the HREC on community building, the most critical issue confronting Bend is our cost of living.  The sky-rocketing cost of housing affects everyone in our community.  The city of Bend needs to get serious about housing that people can afford.  While the HREC is important to some, our highest priority should be to provide for the most basic needs of all residents," Moseley concluded.