I have lived in Gorham for 20 years and feel honored to be a part of this engaged and supportive community. In recent months we have seen a surge in the national conversation around systemic racism and police brutality. Mainers across the state have joined the discussion with enthusiasm and compassion. Here in Gorham, I have been struck by the community’s willingness to be introspective and to look deeply at the systems on the local level that perpetuate inequality and injustice. As a mother, I take great pride in seeing students and young folks organize, facilitate dialogue and advocate for a better tomorrow.
One of the projects I’ve been working on, with a handful of my colleagues, is identifying bills that promote racial equity and those that are geared toward breaking down inequities based on race. This has been a very fast-paced endeavor undertaken to support the Permanent Commission on the Status of Racial, Indigenous and Maine Tribal Populations. The purpose of this effort is to highlight bills that will improve racial equity in Maine. Some of this work helps inform our votes on bills we haven’t yet finished this session, but it also establishes a system for evaluating bills based on their racial impact that may be utilized by future Legislatures.
With this work happening in Augusta, there has also been important activism occurring on the local level. One effort I have been particularly impressed with is the Gorham Black Lives Matter (BLM) initiative, which has organized several peaceful protests around town. These protests have been predominantly led by high school students, initially in response to the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota. While the showing of support throughout town has been inspiring, I recognize continued protests can pose challenges for any community. However, I wholeheartedly believe that the momentum being created by the peaceful protests is essential for establishing lasting change. The protests serve as a constant reminder that our work is just getting started. They encourage us to keep the conversation alive and motivate us all to follow the lead of our children by being active participants in dismantling systems of oppression that exist all around us.
While I see the value in these protests, I know that change happens at multiple levels and that a problem this big and this deeply rooted needs to be tackled from all angles. I believe successful civic engagement can take many forms and I commend the Gorham BLM group for utilizing its right to peacefully protest while also working with law enforcement and local officials to engage in a meaningful dialogue.
As a result of these conversations, a Resolution has been drafted and is expected to be taken up by the Town Council on August 4. Should the Resolution be adopted, it will express the town’s commitment to ending systemic racism, the oppression/misrepresentation of minority groups, and continuing to assure that law enforcement honors equal justice for all in Gorham.
This is an important step in acknowledging our role in promoting equality and justice for each of our citizens.
As your representative, I will continue to listen to the many different voices at the table in this discussion. I think now more than ever it is essential that we support, not alienate, each other as we all strive to recognize where we have fallen short and commit to doing better. That includes in our criminal justice system, our schools, our economy, and our health care system.
We have a long way to go, but I believe real progress can be made when we work together. I look forward to doing the hard work and having the difficult conversations so that our community can continue to be the welcoming and supportive place I know it to be. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns.
Rep. Maureen “Mo” Terry is serving her second term in the Maine House of Representatives. She is a chef and small business owner with more than 25 years of experience in the food service industry. She serves on the Taxation Committee.
(207) 712- 9735 | (800) 423-2900 | maureen.terry@legislature.maine.gov