WAFT – Sundown Town Resolution
The Community Resilience Guild facilitated the cataloging and archiving of Dan Shenk’s research for the Wide Angle Films and Talks event, “Goshen, Indiana: From ‘Sundown Town’ in 20th Century to ‘Resolution’ in 21st Century” in October, 2018. Goshen College interns Nahshon Lora and Elijah Lora supported this effort. Key references archived on Goshen.Guide are listed below.
In addition, James W. Lowen’s book “Sundown Towns: A Hidden Dimension of American Racism” offers a broader history of this issue in America.
Wide Angle Films and Talks event:
“Goshen, Indiana: From ‘Sundown Town’ in 20th Century to ‘Resolution’ in 21st Century”
October 11, 2018
Community Relations Commission
Created in 2004 with the passage of Ordinance 4201, and amended in 2006 by Ordinance 4339 and again in 2009 by Ordinance 4526, the Goshen Community Relations Commission (CRC) is a group of 9 volunteer residents appointed by City Council and the Mayor to focus on the “people issues” of our town and to guide the work of a staff director. We are mothers, fathers, business people, educators, immigrants and native born Americans who share the vision of a unified, thriving Goshen.
Goshen’s City Council is made up of five district representatives and two at-large representatives (the mayor acts as presiding officer). Council terms are four years, with no term limits. City Council is the legislative body of Goshen, meaning it can pass, amend, or rescind local ordinances (the mayor may vote only to break a tie). City Council is also Goshen’s fiscal body, with responsibility for approving the annual budget and other financial agreements involving the City. Council also appoints members to various commissions and boards.
All City Council legal authority is collective, rather than individual. Council can only set policy together with a majority vote.
The Council includes a Youth Representative, a student elected by peers at Goshen High School. The Youth Representative participates fully in proceedings, including voting; although the vote is not counted towards the legal outcome.
Goshen repents of being a ‘sundown town’
Jun 23, 2015 - Author(s): Dan Shenk | The Mennonite
On March 17, the Goshen (Ind.) City Council voted 6–0 to pass “A Resolution Acknowledging the Racially Exclusionary Past of Goshen, Indiana, as a ‘Sundown Town.’ ”
Goshen, IN, confronts its sundown town past
Apr 20, 2015 - Author(s): Kelli Yoder | Mennonite World Review
Hidden racism once was common, but Goshen may be the first city to formally acknowledge it.
Mar 17, 2015 | Goshen Common Council
A Resolution Acknowledging the Racially Exclusionary Past of Goshen, Indiana, as a ‘Sundown Town’