LETTER FROM CT TRUTH FORCE

When I first came to Hartford, I decided that it was time for me to go from talking about injustice with friends and family (letting those conversations wither away and die eventually) to taking action. And one of the first people who came to my attention was Minister Cornell Lewis. I sent him a message, asking if I could set up a meeting with him, and after a series of questions designed to prove my mettle, he agreed to my request. We ended up meeting in a Dunkin Donuts with some other members of an activist group, people who had worked with Minister Lewis before. We talked about the racism experienced by employees of color at CJTS (particularly Black male employees) and composed a letter to DCF as the CT Truth Force.
We sent ample warning to DCF and CJTS management that if our concerns were not addressed, there would be a series of actions taken against the agency. We hand delivered our message to DCF commissioner Joette Katz’ office. We stood out in front of CJTS on a cold day with bullhorns and signs to show our concern. DCF and CJTS refused to address our complaints, just as they have repeatedly refused to address the complaints of racism that emanate frequently from CJTS employees.
We had an eloquent argument…. We asked how CJTS employees of color could act as positive role models for the children they were charged with caring for if they were being oppressed by management. We cited statistics that proved that disciplinary procedures in place were disproportionately harsh on men of color. We had support from the community, from  former  and current CJTS employees, and we even were able to have a hearing held at the Legislative Office Building. But, alas, it was all to no avail.
Rather than addressing the concerns of Minister Lewis and other CJTS employees, the management decided to fire the man. They took advantage of an opportunity to exploit an incident at CJTS to put the man out of work. But, Minister Lewis is not a quitter. He is still committed to fighting for justice for CJTS employees.
The CT Truth Force decided to compose a petition to William Rosenbeck, CJTS Superintendent, Joette Katz, DCF Commissioner and Dannel Malloy, CT Governor. We gathered the signatures of concerned community members, and sent the petition to the offices of all three of those designees. What has the response been??
Silence.
Once again, DCF has proved that it does not hear nor does it feel obligated to address their employees concerns. Pretty typical, but we will not be dissuaded.