Letter: Town’s Disbursement Of ARPA Funds Was Inequitable
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The following letter was sent to the Amherst Town Council on June 26, 2023
Back in the 1980’s there was research that revealed that whites would actually favor hiring a black candidate over a white candidate, when the job was low paying and inconsequential. The same research indicated that whites would strongly opt to give whites a job over equally qualified black candidates when the job position was a high-paying one, or of high status. This pattern holds true today in the overwhelming preference of hiring professional white football coaches over black coaches.
In terms of Amherst, the disbursement of the ARPA funds is a clear example of whites preferring white businesses over black businesses. The process itself was skewed in terms of the race of the decision-makers. A best practices approach would have put in place a panel of white and BIPOC decision-makers. The criteria for awarding the money would have been made public and the results would have been published. This did not occur.
All the statements and sentiments expressed about Amherst’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion mean nothing without the numbers that demonstrate that the town operates in ways that are actually equitable.
How we spend or direct money is one of the key indicators of what we truly value. As top decision makers, you will be judged by the decision you make now to either rectify that inequity or defend it. Without the numbers changing, it will be very obvious that the espoused commitment to equity does not extend to the disbursement of ARPA funds.
Michael Burkart
Michael Burkart is a resident of Amherst.
Thank you Michael
I felt the same concerns regarding the process and appreciate your suggestions above. In the presentation at Town Council Monday, Sean M. said that $35,000 of ARPA funds went to BIPOC businesses to date. Out of $450,000 spent, this is an extremely small portion.
I’d suggest a mechanism to use the unspent portions to remedy this disparity, and to make the process more equitable in the next round. I can easily be done through some of the suggestions you and others made to the Council Monday.
P.S. There were also many terrific uses of the ARPA funds looking back and some great proposals ahead. The town staff deserve kudos for all the work they have done! I believe in their and the Council’s ability, to remedy this now that they see the pattern. I just hope they act quickly so as not to aggravate the problem.
Bridget,
Well said. I agree with what you say. If the will is there, they can easily take steps to rectify this inequity.
We have to stay on top of them. As Frederick Douglas said: “Power concedes nothing without a struggle.”
Michael Burkart