The football field isn't the only place where the issue of race relations is taking center stage. Fort Worth's newly formed Task Force on Race & Culture is preparing to host its first town hall meeting as it works to create equity for all citizens.
City leaders appointed the 23-member task force last month, largely in response to lingering tensions stemming from the controversial arrest of Jacqueline Craig -- a black mother who called police for help, only to have her concerns brushed off by an officer who then placed her in handcuffs.
The task force will advise the City Council on policies and matters as they relate to race and culture.
"There are some people who say that this task might be impossible," said Rabbi Andrew Bloom, one of the co-chairs of the task force. "But I believe that there is no such words as impossible, rather the word is 'I'm possible.' And if we all look at it this way, anything is possible. And I think the task force is taking that attitude."
The group met Monday morning, where they finalized logistics for the town hall meeting.
They said the meeting won't be as much of a dialogue as it will be a listening session for task force members. They want community members of all backgrounds to speak to them and answer one simple question -- What is the one thing you'd like the task force to focus on?
Each speaker will be given two minutes to address the task force. The task force will then use that input as a baseline for the recommendations they make to City Council.
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"Everybody's truth and everybody's voice is important," said Bloom. "We can't unite a city unless we hear all the citizens. And that's what we're going to do."
The town hall meeting will take place on Monday, Oct. 2 from 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Fort Worth.
Bloom said they'll get through as many speakers as they can in that time frame. Citizens can also submit their comments in writing by sending an email to onefortworth@gmail.com.For those who can't attend the meeting, it will be streamed live at fortworthtexas.gov.
