Wayland HRDEIC Member Supports King For Select Board: Letter

Wayland MA

19 April, 2022

7:41 AM

Description

The following letter to the editor does not reflect the views of Wayland Patch I am grateful I became a Wayland resident concurrently with Dovie's relocation and involvement in town government. I met Dovie while I was a member of the Human Rights Diversity Equity & Inclusion Committee. Dovie showed her ability to honor my most vulnerable identities in a way that made me feel safe and heard. Dovie implemented a voting structure that ensured the value and consideration of both voting and non-voting members. For example, members under the age of 18 are not legally allowed to hold a voting position. Dovie saw the value and importance of our youngest members and granted them designated time in every meeting to share their ideas and concerns. This shows that Dovie will honor the autonomy of Wayland's youth and treat them with the respect they deserve. Since I've moved to Wayland from Somerville everyone (including Wayland residents) have asked me in confusion and awe, "You moved where"?! I am a 30 something, Jewish, bisexual, woman and people constantly seem surprised with my decision to settle here. I live with my spouse in a house right next to Loker Elementary School. We have a dog and a cat. I understand the assumptions people make with this question. A lot of the time people think, why would a young queer person move to a suburb like Wayland? I am determined to change the notion of this question. That change starts with electing Dovie King to the Select Board. This is because Dovie will help usher in a new equitable and inclusive generation to Wayland, MA. With Dovie on the Select Board, I feel validated in my decision to move here. She reflects town members whose voices haven't been honored by Select Board Members in the past. We should all feel a sense of belonging in Wayland regardless of our age, gender, sexuality, religious convictions, income level and culture. Wayland's diversity is what makes it beautiful and desirable for people like me. I've seen first-hand the kind of leadership Dovie would provide if elected, and I am inspired by that. She has fresh, new ideas that can steer us in a better direction that is unprecedented and will strengthen our town. For example, you may be aware that Wayland lacks a town policy regarding holiday decorations. Other towns have equitable and well-thought-out policies in place that incorporate diverse traditions and symbols rather than favoring one dominant tradition. Where there has been a failure of leadership in the past, however, Dovie has stepped up to the plate to address this problem. On April 27, Dovie is leading an effort to host the first-ever "Wayland Town Dialogue for Cultural Understanding." The purpose of this event is to discuss ideas to improve relationships across cultural lines and come up with a comprehensive plan with specific recommendations to our town leaders regarding a holiday decor policy as well as other pressing issues, such as policing, antisemitism and racism. I have signed up to be part of the change. Have you? Please vote for Dovie on May 10. She is the change we need. —Jenny Levine, Wayland