One South Carolina city just took an extreme measure to atone for decades of racism.
The city council of Spartanburg, the north-central city of about 37,000 residents, has offered an apology to its African-American residents, reported Greenville, S.C., TV station WYFF on Tuesday.
The panel unanimously passed the resolution: “Healing, Reconciling and Unity: A Pathway to a More Equitable Spartanburg” on Monday.
In a show of solidarity, each council member read aloud a section of the motion.
Spartanburg Mayor Junie White led the reading before handing off to council member Erica Brown.
“Inequities born from racism of any kind unacceptably disadvantage specific individuals and communities,” read Brown.
The crux of the document was read by African-American council member Ruth Littlejohn.
“We desire Spartanburg to be a place where all are welcome and treated with empathy, respect, fairness and trust.”
The city also acknowledged inherent racism in policies during the 1950s and ’60s that harmed minority residents in housing and employment rights.
“I’m just overwhelmed,” said Brenda Lee Pryce, a former South Carolina representative, according to the Herald-Journal. “I never thought I’d live to see this apology. This means everything to me.”
The order also vowed to improve city operations.
“To further enhance diversity and to insure anti-racist practices and principles across leadership, staffing and contracting,” read a later section.
The resolution was approved by asking those in favor of it to stand up; first the city council, then the audience, according to WYFF.
“There are just so many cities that are unwilling to have this conversation,” said attendee Tamika Thompson. “So, I am grateful but also amazed that they took this leap.”