“We need to crave diversity.”  

(Quote from a workshop participant)

Balanced Demographics Powerpoint Introduction

Summary of the workshop’s vision for Balanced  

Demographics on Cape Cod:   All organizations, agencies, towns and residents (regardless of income), will have a “sustainability” world view, where everyone lives within the natural laws and earth’s capacities, and works for the common good in all areas, including health care, affordable housing, jobs and the environment.  Cape Codders will crave diversity of all types.

Imagine Cape Cod in 2020 :   Is Cape Cod a diverse community? What should our population in 2020 look like?   What are the social, environmental and economic implications of diversity?   What are the barriers, and what can we do as a community, as leaders, as business people and as individuals, to encourage diversity?   And how do we measure our progress in this effort?

The group began by asking what “balance” is, how do we measure it, and noting that we need a baseline against which to measure it.   It was noted that people who come to Cape Cod from other places bring their past and their preconceived ideas with them, and often don’t acknowledge the Cape’s special issues.  Members of the group believe that we need to change the cultural mindset so that we all work for the public good, the “common good”.  

The group listed the following concerns for the Cape community:

• overpopulation, especially related to the carrying capacity of natural resources
• environmental degradation
• oligarchy – that the Cape is governed by a few wealthy persons
• economic forces will override public needs
• expensive healthcare
• the cost of medical insurance
• cost of housing – determines who can live here, discriminating against low wage earners and those who hold service jobs  

A member of the group said that Cape Cod needs a public mandate to make progress, especially with affordable housing, jobs and healthcare, and that we should not leave it to our elected officials.   It was noted that Cape Cod needs political will to make these things happen, and that Cape Cod can be a model if we can influence our leaders.   A member of the group noted that we need to create a “sustainability” world view, where we are in the wheelhouse, not arranging chairs on the deck.   To do this we need to begin with leadership and government.  

Referring to a book called “Ishmael” by Daniel Quinn, a member of the group described “takers” as those who do not live according to earth’s laws, who use resources in exceedance of the earth’s capacities.   “Givers” are described as those who live within the natural laws and earth’s capacities.   We need to adopt a different level of thinking than what we currently have.

It was noted that by looking at the census data for population growth and age categories, we can extrapolate what is coming in the future.  

Members of the group discussed the need to get the wealthy residents of Cape Cod involved and believing in the vision.   They also noted that all of the non-profits are working toward their individual visions, and that all of them should be “on the same page” working toward common issues.

A member of the group noted that part of the unspoken story on the Cape is that violence and discrimination exist against white people as well as against people of color because of a cultural mindset.   It was felt that people are afraid of stepping out of their comfort zones.

Suggested Action Items

• Involve wealthy residents.
• Get non-profits on the same page – an umbrella group.
• Change the cultural mindset.
• Affordable housing units should be constructed at a 1:1 ratio with market rate houses.
• Create a Human Rights Commission.
• Spark public dialogue, such as “stop growth” petitions at each town meeting.
• Districts of Critical Planning Concern.
• Change land use legislation to eliminate “grandfathering” for 7 years and allow true planning to take place.
• Support the CapeCare Health Plan.
• Reduce administrative costs for healthcare services so that they are equitable for all.
• Public education.
• Find new leadership with visionary mindsets.
• Policy-makers on Cape Cod need to present a visual image (pictures) of diversity in reports, magazines, ads, newspapers, etc.
• Elect people of color to public office.

Suggested Indicators of Progress

• Measure how many building permits have already been permitted for construction in the next 18 months
• Create a scale to measure public or policy decisions on a scale ranging from the public good to private interest and distribute it
• How many MOUs have been signed?   Public contracts?
• Church attendance to measure civic health, diversity and connectivity
• The number of civic engagement and community service programs in the public schools
• Number of teachers of color by proportion (balance) to the general population
• Number of public servants, police, fire, managers, etc. who are people of color
• Number of kids of color and their economic status who go on to higher education
• Violence against white people
•  Other measures of violence