First, I wanted to start by saying I have not been advised or encouraged to come forward by anyone or any agency, political or otherwise. I have simply made a decision to stand up for what’s right.

I have been employed with Ulster County Government for a decade. I have the opportunity in my role in the Department of Health’s WIC program to assist women, infants, children and families in our community. I have always loved my work and take pride in helping people.

Throughout the years working for Ulster County, I have experienced blatant discrimination, retaliation, harassment and hostility in my workplace. I tried to report these offenses, including the undeniable existence of racism and harassment.

I gave specific examples, such as the hurtful words of coworkers, who would continuously make racist comments to me, “don’t know how anyone could be with a black person because they smell” and that I “must know what that smell is because your kids are black,” and the questions they would ask me, such as, “why are your children so dark (skinned)… do your kids smell bad like black people,” and “do people look at you funny when they see you out with them?”

My reports and requests for it to stop were met with extreme aggression and antagonism such as from my then director, “Are you sure you want to go down this road?”

These are only a few examples of the awful racism that was permitted.

My attempts to abolish discrimination in the Ulster County workplace by making reports for years, and filing charges against the perpetrators, led to retaliation. Recently, I submitted a claim with the Ulster County Human Rights Commission. The commissioners I spoke to at first had me feeling I was going to be helped and actions taken to stop the wrongs.

A few days later, Esi Lewis, who is the interim Commissioner, took over my case. The only consistency she has shown over the weeks of holding my case report is her neglecting to communicate, disregard for requests and concerns, constantly changing plans and procedures and her meetings were often last minute or canceled. 

This left me feeling disrespected and stripped of my dignity. The most hurtful moment was finding out that my case and complaints were shared with the deputy executive who directly oversees the office and individuals my complaints are directed towards. My understanding when filing my confidential complaint with the HRC was nothing could legally be shared to anyone outside the commission without my consent. When I explained to Esi how devastated I was that she had shared personal details of my case, she completely dismissed my concerns by replying with a “yup…..ok” prior to her abruptly ending our phone call.

After originally coming forward a few years ago, there have been attempts made to terminate me. A judge sided with me and saved my employment. But, the retaliation is allowed to continue.

I’m fully aware that my decision to go public may ultimately be the end of a job I love. If that’s the case, I will move on with my head held high knowing I spoke truth to power while fighting for what is right. 

Even without being in a powerful position of influence, I can stand up to demand the Ulster County Government not conceal, but act with swift justice, when facts of racism, hate crimes, retaliation or anything with the capacity to destroy lives are reported. Most county employees, including my direct colleagues, are wonderful people and we all deserve a safe and respectful work environment. 

I am asking everyone to look at actions and not rely on politicized words that sound convincing. We cannot be intimidated into silence or penalized for speaking up against injustice. 

In matters of race, culture, politics, social awareness and every day life, we must be more understanding, compassionate, empathetic and brave. We all need to make changes and make room for everyone in our community to feel welcome and appreciated.
If diversity and equality are to mean anything, no one, regardless of position or power, can be exempt from accountability. We have to break this division and stand together.