Non-Discriminationatory Towns

By: Stacey Garner

This semester I have looked at what Chapel Hill and Carrboro are doing to create non-discriminatory towns.

According to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: All are equal before the law, are entitled to live without any discrimination and are entitled to equal protection of the law.

Chapel Hill/ Carrboro does its part:

• has an office/committee for inclusionary zoning
• Justice in Action -“To adequately and effectively reflect the Town of Chapel Hill’s integrity and commitment to preserving racial, economic, and social justice within the community” (town on Chapel Hill).
• equal employment opportunity/Affirmative Action employer
• discrimination not allowed while seeking to rent or buy housing in Orange County

-creating more affordable housing units (Dobbins Hill)

• equal opportunity for early education

Chapel Hill and Carborro have room for improvement

• The inclusionary office and Justice in Action office need to be more than a placement holder. Currently, the Justice in Action committee is working on ways to increase membership and unable to focus on preserving justice w/in the community.
• Jobs and housing offered to different racial/ethnic groups continue to segregate. Though we should be encouraged by the strides made, segregation is not enough!
• There are few organizations that bring different racial/ethnic grps. together
• There remains to be a shortage of affordable housing units and jobs opportunities within the city limits.
• Lack of community organization that teach against discrimination for older population