Thread: UT- Sensitivity training for lawmakers goes nowhere

Sensitivity training for lawmakers goes nowhere

Feb 28 2012 06:58PM


By David Montero, member, NAHJ
The Salt Lake Tribune

A Senate committee rejected a bill Tuesday that would’ve required newly elected state lawmakers to undergo cultural sensitivity training as a part of their orientation — including the use of the term "illegal alien" to describe undocumented immigrants.

Senate Minority Leader Ross Romero, D-Salt Lake City, said he wanted new lawmakers to learn about the changing demographics in Utah and to understand how using terms considered demeaning to those growing ethnic groups in the state might be phased out.

"As representatives traveling outside of the state, we’ve got to be sensitive to the terms used by our peers outside of our state," Romero said. "We can be viewed as not casting the best light on ourselves."

The proposal, SJR24, failed by a 2-4 vote — with Sen. Casey Anderson, R-Cedar City, and Sen. Luz Robles, D-Salt Lake City — as the only supporters of the measure. The four Republicans who voted against it didn’t offer comments during the hearing as to why they opposed the measure.

Romero said the measure was mostly educational and would provide new lawmakers with information about the changing demographics in the state and said he imagined training would last between 20 and 45 minutes. He said it would be similar to sexual harassment training that lawmakers receive.

Anderson said he supported the measure because it was simply information-based, but also felt training wouldn’t necessarily lead to a better understanding or sensitivity.

"I think people learn from personal experience," Anderson said.

Romero, who is the first Latino leader in the Senate, is departing after this session and is running for Salt Lake County Mayor. He said he felt this was a way to begin the process of cultural sensitivity training for lawmakers as the faces of the Legislative body change and begin to reflect Utah’s diversifying population.

According to the Census, Utah’s Latino population has grown to 13 percent from just 9 percent in 2000. Other groups still make up a small percentage — including Asians, who sit at 2 percent compared to 1.7 percent just a decade ago.

Robles said the term "illegal alien" is offensive to many Latinos because it’s dehumanizing and resembles offensive terminology used in the South used to describe blacks.

In fact, Romero said the idea for the bill sprung from an incident in 2008 when former Sen. Chris Buttars used what was deemed a racially insensitive term — responding to a senator’s description of a bill as an "ugly baby" by saying, "This baby is black ... this is a dark, ugly thing."

Romero, who had been elected in 2006, pointed out that the comment was inappropriate and Buttars apologized for it on the Senate floor.

Sensitivity training for lawmakers goes nowhere


About Montero, a member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and the Party Project.

Salt Lake Tribune story from NAHJ memb. David Montero:
“Utahns of two minds on immigration reform”

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NAHJ member David Montero, who was hired as an
immigration and politics reporter at the Salt Lake Tribune in
September, reports on the results of a survey commissioned by the paper on views
that Utah’s residents have when it comes to immigration reform.
According to Montero’s report, “…59 percent support
legislation that would give those already here the opportunity to stay and apply for citizenship while at the same time, 47 percent believe immigrants have had an adverse effect on crime in their community. And 60 percent support requiring police officers to check legal residency when there is reasonable suspicion that
a person arrested or pulled over is undocumented.”
Check out David’s report at: Utah Local News - Salt Lake City News, Sports, Archive - The Salt Lake Tribune.
The Parity Project was launched at the Salt Lake
Tribune in April 2006.

How It Works

Online Surveys
NAHJ attempts to ascertain the opinions of the Latino community and newsroom employees about the partnering media company’s coverage of Latino-related issues.
Newsroom Cultural Awareness Sessions

NAHJ brings in experts on Hispanic issues to conduct cultural awarness sessions with the news staffs of partnering organizations. The goal is to provide greater awareness to Latino issues and to generate story ideas.
Town Hall Meetings

NAHJ and partnering media companies co-sponsor a town hall meeting with Latino leaders to discuss concerns about covearge of the community.

Community Advisory Committees and Latino News Sources
Partnering media companies form a Latino advisory committee following the launch and meet on a regular basis to discuss coverage of the community.

Creating Latino Journalism “Pipeline”

NAHJ helps news organizations develop a “pipeline” of future journalists by creating partnerships with local high schools and colleges that have large Latino enrollments.

Continuous Results

After the project’s launch, NAHJ develops a custom-tailored plan of recommendations with specific qualitative and quantitative goals on how partnering companies can reach newsroom parity in five-to-seven years and improve news coverage.



Project Sponsors

The National Association of Hispanic Journalists extends its gratitude to the McCormick Foundation, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and the Ethics & Excellence in Journalism Foundation for their generous support of the Parity Project.

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The McCormick Foundation is a charitable grant making organization that supports work in journalism, communities, citizenship, and education.
The Ethics and Excellence in Journalism Foundation was established in 1982 for charitable, scientific and educational purposes, including the improvement of the quality of the practice of journalism among various media. .
The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, a private foundation independent of the Knight brothers’ newspaper enterprises, is dedicated to furthering their ideals of service to community, to the highest standards of journalistic excellence and to the defense of a free press.

Project Hires

Meet NAHJ’s most recent Parity Project hires who have interned or have received full-time positions at a Parity Project Partner!


Project Hires | Parity Project
Read more about this organization at:

The Party Project

"Robles said the term "illegal alien" is offensive to many Latinos because it’s dehumanizing and resembles offensive terminology used in the South used to describe blacks."

What else should we call them, the wonderful people who break laws, kill people, steal identities and jobs???? They are what they are illegal aliens! We're not going to soften it up because they are offended. We're more offended with them being here when they arn't supposed to be!! It doesn't matter what THEY want.

How about an orientation class stressing the Oath of Office, particularly the bit about supporting and defending the constitution of the USA!