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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes July 28, 2020 Page 4 1 Councilmember Randle stated there is an email he wanted to address so people can get a better 2 understanding of him and where he is at and what he is about. He read a portion of the email 3 indicating the writer was a white middle class woman that needed to get uncomfortable and 4 embrace it so things will change. He stated as a Councilmember it is not his role to make people 5 feel uncomfortable. His role is to try to find the best solution that is compromising for the 6 community as a whole. He will never be in a situation where he is intentionally trying to make 7 any resident uncomfortable on anything. He indicated he will also look for a compromise for 8 both parties, if at all possible. He continued to read the email. He commented that he did not 9 vote against the mural, the Council voted against the location where the mural was asked to be 10 placed. He explained he did not vote against the mural to maintain the City's stability and 11 enjoyment, he voted against it because it was the right thing to do. He indicated he did not make 12 decisions for popularity reasons and he did not make decisions for a pat on the back. He makes 13 decisions for what he believes is right for the City as a whole and he always will continue to do 14 that no matter the heat he gets and no matter the consequences because it is the right think to do 15 and that is why he voted the way he did. 16 17 Councilmember Randle explained that what he really took offense to was the part about taking 18 racism seriously. For those people who do not know him and know his history, he is a 54-year- 19 old black man from Mississippi, born and raised in this Country. He is also a descendant of 20 immigrant slaves who came into this Country. He knows all about racism and where all the 21 bones are buried, so to speak. He indicated he is more than willing to speak to anyone about this. 22 He stated if there is going to be a serious conversation about racism, then let us be serious about 23 racism, leave things open because it is not one side or the other. If he chooses to vote against 24 something it does not mean he is racist, or not in touch with his own people. If he chose to sit 25 out, he has earned that right and if he has not, then his ancestors certainly have. He chooses what 26 battles he fights, he earned that right, and anyone who wants to sit down and have a conversation 27 with him about race, he would do that anytime, any day. 28 29 X. ADJOURNMENT. 30 31 32 33 34 Respectfully submitted, 35 Sue Osbeck 36 TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. 37 38 7 / Mayor 39 ATTEST: 40 Mayor Stille adjourned the meeting at 7:50 p.m. City Clerk