Office of Ethnic Affairs takes heat over strategy
Some civil rights leaders say the 35-page document doesn't get to the meat of curbing problems such as health disparities, overrepresentation in the criminal justice system or underemployment. It also, they say, fails to directly address the state's growing illegal immigrant population.
"It's the same old, same old," said AnnaJane Arroyo, a former member of the Hispanic Advisory Council. "It's not aggressive; it doesn't address the issues."
Jeanetta Williams, president of the Salt Lake Branch NAACP, agreed, saying there needs to be a way to measure progress. The plan, she said, seems to be treating minorities like children.
Luz Robles, interim director of the Office of Ethnic Affairs, contends the strategic plan, available online at ethnicoffice.utah.gov, is a historic stepping stone to set benchmarks for progress.
"For us, the beauty of this document is it has (Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.'s) support and commitment from Cabinet members," Robles said. "Our office has tangible deliverables. It's the beginning of a bigger picture."
But Arroyo said more important are issues such as affirmative action and on-the-job discrimination.
"We go out and get degrees but can't get jobs, can't get promotions," she said. "What I saw a lot of was educate the people, make them aware. . . . What about educating the agencies, the directors, the governor?"
Robles, however, said creation of chambers of commerce, along with pushing for legislation to count women and minority owned businesses is a move "that gives more power to us."
She said some critics may misunderstand her office's purview. It can't tap into the private sector but can work with state agencies to improve their responsiveness to minorities, she said. Robles pointed out that her office is also working with state agencies on existing programs and does not want to duplicate those.
For example, Owen Quinonez, director of the state's Multicultural Health Center, said the Office of Ethnic Affairs will be a partner in a planned statewide multicultural health network. Quinonez said his office and the Office of Ethnic Affairs are working together to complement each other.
However, Shelley Weis, executive director of the Park City Community Outreach Center, said the plan fails to address the most pressing issue — illegal immigration.
You can be the first to comment on this story.