For The Second Time in a Month, City Council Member Validates Race Problems in Elk Grove

Mayor Steve Ly discussing when he was targeted by racism in Elk Grove. |

October 15, 2017 | 

Since the revelation last month of a hate message left on the door of an African-American owned business in Elk Grove, discussion of race relations in the city has reached a level perhaps never seen before. Along with it being a hot topic on social media, the conversation has made its way to the Elk Grove City Council.

Although it has not been placed on the city council's formal agenda to the consternation of some individuals, council members have heard from several community members discuss the topic during public comment. Additionally, council members have sought to address these concerns during their regular meeting.

As part of dealing with the concerns, the City of Elk Grove, along with an independent group, will be holding three separate meetings between October 19 and 30 for residents to open a dialogue on race relations. It was during the council's discussion of the city-sponsored meetings that another member acknowledged the presence of racism in Elk Grove.

In comments about the importance of attending the meetings, Ly said that he had been the victim of discrimination and was targeted during his mayoral campaign.

"When I was running for mayor, it was loud and clear, that there are people out there that don't like me because of the color of my skin," he said. "I'm just glad that this conversation is happening now."

Ly's acknowledgment of racism in Elk Grove comes on tops of comments made last month at the September 13 city council meeting by his council colleague, Pat Hume. A longtime resident of Elk Grove, Hume said he was disappointed that racist elements from Elk Grove's not too distant past continue to persist. 

"It's painful to have to take a hard look at yourselves," Hume said. "Having grown up in Elk Grove, I can remember when there was no covert about it - Elk Grove was a redneck, cow town good 'ole boy, and I thought we moved past that."

The two meetings being held by the City of Elk Grove will be held on October 23 and 30 at the Pavilion Building at the Elk Grove Regional Park. The independent group's meeting will be conducted at the United Methodist Church on Elk Grove Boulevard on Thursday, October 19.