The Daily Free Press: “Initiative on Cities Addresses How Cities can be Inclusive”

Phillipe Copeland, Assistant Professor and Director of the Dual Degree Program in Social Work and Theology, joined three other expert panelists for “The Inclusive City” seminar, hosted by the Boston University Initiative on Cities On December 4, 2014.

‘An inclusive city is a racially just city,’ [Copeland] said. ‘It’s a city where there are procedures by which the distribution of benefits and burdens of citizens is made according to quality, merit or need and not white supremacy … that’s how you know an inclusive city when you see it.’

Copeland said an inclusive urban society couldn’t exist with the current mentality that justifies dehumanization and police violence.

‘I have a 6-year-old son, and he sees police the way he should see them, as heroes,’ he said. ‘Who is responsible to make sure his trust isn’t violated? I have to teach him how to tolerate with law enforcement.’

The Daily Free Press’ Mina Corpuz reported approximately 40 faculty, students, and residents in attendance. Corpuz also notes the number of passionate attendees who engaged in the seminar.

Shannon Johnson, 23, a BU alum and resident of Jamaica Plain, said she learned better ways to foster the feelings of inclusiveness.

‘What I took away is that there are ways to act now instead of just being uncomfortable,’ she told Corpuz. . ‘People need to gather together and show compassion, humanity and solidarity. We’re all humans and created to be equal, so inclusiveness shouldn’t even be an issue.’

Click here to read the full Daily Free Press article, or learn more about Boston University’s Initiative on Cities here. For more information on Professor Copeland’s work, please view his profile.