A second public health official cited the work of antiracist educator Tema Okun after several people on the thread objected.
Robby Soave
|
2/7/22 4:28 PM
Oregon Health Authority officials say the urgency is “a white supremacy. Read also : Roper publishes editorial on science, public health and politics | Newsroom.” (Robert Kneschke | Dreamstime.com)
The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is a government agency that coordinates medical care and social well-being in Beaver State. During the pandemic, OHA was responsible for coordinating the Oregon vaccine driver and disseminating information about COVID-19 – both vital tasks.
The office of the Agency for Equity and Inclusion, however, prefers not to rush the government’s business. In fact, the program manager of the office delayed a meeting with partner organizations in the designated field that “urgently needs a white supremacy.”
In an email received by Reason, Regional Health Equity Coalition Program Manager Danielle Droppers informed the community that a scheduled meeting between OHA officials and relevant members of the public will not take place as planned.
“Thank you for your interest in participating in the community discussion between Regional Health Equity Coalitions (RHECs) and Community Advisory Councils (CACs) to discuss Community Investment Collaboratives (CICs),” Droppers wrote. “We recognize that urgency is a white supremacy that can get in the way of more careful and prudent work, and we want to pay attention to this dynamic. Therefore, we will reach a later date to re-plan.”
Droppers did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The email was sent by Droppers’ state government email address, and received scathing reprimands from many who received it. One such community member replied that “as a person of color, I call BS!” Another recipient, a health capital manager at a medical group, said she was “fired” by the claim.
“W.e.g., educate me on what the state means to the emergency is a white supremacy,” she wrote. “I would also like to know how this stands in the way of RHEC / CAC work. I struggled all morning as one communicated the reason for posting to our CAC.”
Droppers did not follow up on their initial email with a statement. A county health official, however, responded that “I too was surprised by the statement and decided to investigate it further and wanted to share a link I found.”
