Wanna hear something funny? The community of Canton, Illinois was named as a finalist for the National Civic League's ("NCL") 2010 All-America City Awards.
Apparently Canton was selected for addressing such issues as diversifying the labor force and funding services during the recession. Huh, diversifying what, who, Canton, Illinois? Does this mean it's time for black folks to run out and look at purchasing a home in Canton?
Not so fast... this is clearly one of those awards your application fee can buy...
Is Canton not the City where Police Chief Dan Taylor, has been accused of using racial slurs about blacks and a black child and then retaliating against former patrolman Rusty Graham (the white officer who confronted him); the City where a complaint was filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and ruled to have merit?
Who is the National Civic League (NCL)?
...the National Civic League works directly with communities though the Community Services Program. This program provides professional technical assistance to communities that need help in bringing diverse constituencies together to solve common problems. NCL facilitators help bridge the sometimes serious gap between elected and appointed local government officials and community leaders through an array of services including conflict resolution, strategic planning, program implementation, performance measurement, charter reform, and diversity training.
One of the benefits of membership in NCL is the privilege to enter your town, city or county in NCL’s All-America City Award competition.
Apparently Canton was selected for addressing such issues as diversifying the labor force and funding services during the recession. Huh, diversifying what, who, Canton, Illinois? Does this mean it's time for black folks to run out and look at purchasing a home in Canton?
Not so fast... this is clearly one of those awards your application fee can buy...
Is Canton not the City where Police Chief Dan Taylor, has been accused of using racial slurs about blacks and a black child and then retaliating against former patrolman Rusty Graham (the white officer who confronted him); the City where a complaint was filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and ruled to have merit?
Who is the National Civic League (NCL)?
...the National Civic League works directly with communities though the Community Services Program. This program provides professional technical assistance to communities that need help in bringing diverse constituencies together to solve common problems. NCL facilitators help bridge the sometimes serious gap between elected and appointed local government officials and community leaders through an array of services including conflict resolution, strategic planning, program implementation, performance measurement, charter reform, and diversity training.
One of the benefits of membership in NCL is the privilege to enter your town, city or county in NCL’s All-America City Award competition.
Sounds like the Who's Who award program huh? We all know what's required to "win" one of those.
The NCL has a list of projects on their Community Services Project page, but Canton, Illinois is not listed as a community they are working with.
The NCL has a list of projects on their Community Services Project page, but Canton, Illinois is not listed as a community they are working with.
So, has Canton overcome the racial conflict that was brewing so heavily just this past January? Are they truly an all inclusive "All America City" within a matter of months? If so, Peoria needs to hook up with this National Civic League and let them work their magic over here.
Articles about Canton the finalist for All America City:
Articles about Canton the finalist for All America City:
3 comments:
That's a pretty funny post and, having grown up there, I can say Canton clearly isn't a culturally diverse (or tolerant) community.
However, I believe there are other meanings to "diversifying the labor force" other than along racial or cultural lines that Canton is getting credit for. In particular, with the new medical products plant being built by Bill Cook, Canton is getting some manufacturing jobs that it hasn't had since IH left decades ago.
Nonetheless, despite having more family in Canton than I know of, there's a reason I don't live there now :)
Isn't it one of those places that Palin would call "real" America?
Grew up in Canton! :)
I agree "diversifying the labor force" is not exactly "race relations", but apparently NCL works with elected and appointed government officials and community leaders on issues of conflict resolution, diversity training, etc..
It's All America not "real" America Jon.
All America or real America, from listening to Palin, I thought it was all the same - small town (white) America! :)
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