by LAURA GLESBY
Surrounded by the somber portraits of white politicians and businessmen honored in the aldermanic chamber, Hill Alder Carmen Rodriguez sketched a future of New Haven rooted in Black and Latino history.
That theme echoed throughout the Black and Hispanic aldermanic caucus’ annual State of the City address.
Rodriguez, the vice chair of the caucus, delivered the speech before her colleagues on the full Board of Alders Monday night on the second floor of City Hall.
Though her address identified future-facing priorities (such as boosting education and expanding community policing) as states of the city typically do, Rodriguez’ remarks took a unique focus on how Black and Latino history has shaped the New Haven of the present.
She pointed to Yale’s newly-published research on the university’s enslavement of African Americans, as well as its successful efforts to thwart the establishment of a Black college in New Haven.
“Yale faculty stopped the creation of the first Black college in the country from being made in our community,” she said. “Just take a moment to reflect on how great having the first Black college would have been for the city of New Haven! This should push us to educate and better our children even more, to fight against this history and any challenges in the present like it.”
Rodriguez also called for alders to draw power from “the rich history of our cultures and deep roots that have added vibrancy and spice to our great city,” including by honoring “the people who have stood strong in our Black and Hispanic communities.”
She named connecting generations, and especially bringing together elderly residents with kids and teens, as a top priority.
“While learning about our past and speaking about the present we gain the ability to shape our future,” she said.
Board of Alders Majority Leader Richard Furlow below the portrait of 19th century clockmaker Chauncey Jerome during Monday’s alder meeting.