MA-Becoming a 'welcoming city'
Becoming a 'welcoming city'
By Jenn Smith, Berkshire Eagle Staff
Article Launched: 10/06/2008 03:04:03 AM EDT
Monday, October 06
PITTSFIELD — Five years ago the city established that it was "No Place for Hate." Now it's striving to be a "welcoming" community.
Pittsfield is more than halfway toward meeting the goal of getting at least 500 of its citizens to pledge to make the community and commonwealth a welcoming place for immigrants, through a campaign called "Welcoming Massachusetts."
A total of 256 residents — including the entire Pittsfield City Council, some members of law enforcement, and Mayor James M. Ruberto — have signed on. Local advocates hope to reach a 500-signature goal this month, which includes the second half of a National Hispanic Heritage celebration.
"It was clear a hundred years ago, when all of our grandparents came to Pittsfield from other parts of the world, that they wanted to try to make a life," said Ruberto.
"Today we see a replay of that ... and we need to see the creation of an incredible environment where (immigrants) can not only bring in their culture, but their desire to improve their lives and the lives of their children," the mayor said.
The Berkshire Immigrant Center is one of about 30 organizations represented on the Welcoming Massachusetts Steering Committee. The center and its local affiliate — the Cross Cultural Action Network, or CCAN — are looking to partner with residents and other organizations to raise awareness and make the county more hospitable,
welcoming and tolerant of diversity.
"I think we're making a statement that we want our legislators in our community to think about policies," said CCAN member and former City Council candidate Marjorie Cohan, adding that "Welcoming Massachusetts" dovetails with the No Place for Hate campaign that the city embraced five years ago.
"There is concern today that some people aren't welcoming to immigrants. I think we have to get out there and inform people. It's not about illegal immigrants. (These people) are the future leaders of the community," Cohan said.
Matthew Kerwood, an at-large city councilor, said "the demographics of the county have changed over time. I think it's important that we recognize that."
So far, Pittsfield is one of six cities and towns in the state to proclaim itself a "welcoming community," with around 5,000 pledges signed.
Cohan said that the next big Welcoming Massachusetts outreach effort will take place in conjunction with the Oct. 15 West African community celebration to be held at The Colonial Theatre.
Said Mayor Ruberto, "I think the future of the city is for it to be broadly diversified. It is socially important to show tolerance and compassion and it can be rewarding in a solid economic way."
http://www.berkshireeagle.com/ci_10649054