SHOWING A LEVEL OF INSENSITIVITY ABOUT RACIAL ISSUES

There is something disturbing when an agency claiming to be concerned with the safety of children is tone deaf to employee concerns about racial issues. Ergo, I must say that Connecticut Juvenille Training School and Department of Children and Families are showing a level of insensitivity about racial issues when voiced by employees of color. Let me be clear. At CJTS for about 4 years a cadre of employees of color have approached management about blatant issues of racial bias at that facility. When racial subjects are broached management acquires a stoic demeanor; eyes narrow, lips are pursed and a cold air permeates the room. Since I have worked at CJTS for 5 years there is always a circle the wagons mentality by management about addressing racial issues. Oh, there have been a couple of mock Courageous Conversations to discuss race-but this amounts to nothing other than a three ring circus. What is really frightening is how dismissive management is about listening to racial issues. And I might add that what occurs at CJTS is a microcosm of what ensues in American society. The majority of citizens in America do not want to discuss race. Many people feel as if people of color have made progress in society (especiall blacks). Just watch the reactions or listen to the rhetoric when the issue of race comes up. Now juxtapose that image in America with what is happening at CJTS. There is something fundementally flawed with DCF/CJTS when their employees feel the need to 1. launch a classaction lawsuit about racism-bias, 2. protest outside DCF facilities, 3. go on a hunger strike about CJTS racism, 4. and establish a website called DCFPlantation to highlight racial injustices.

 How dumb can DCF/CJTS management be to ignores clear warning signs something is wrong? Maybe this is not about management being dumb but exhibiting hubris ( excessive zeal or confidence). And let us not forget the mantra of management "there are only a few people making these claims." Now to be honest there are a few people making noise publiclly, but God knows in the underbrush alot of people are commenting on the down low that DCF/CJTS are insensivity to concerns about racial issues from employees of color.