Dr. Ravi Perry: Who’s Fighting Discrimination in Worcester

Saturday, May 05, 2012

Dr. Ravi Perry, GoLocalWorcester MINDSETTER™

Dr. Ravi Perry, GoLocalWorcester MINDSETTER™

The Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) has recently hired two new Worcester compliance officer investigators. Commissioners appointed by the governor lead the commission, which is responsible for receiving discrimination claims, and enforcing anti-discrimination laws.

According to the state office’s website, “The Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination is the state's chief civil rights agency. The Commission works to eliminate discrimination on a variety of bases and areas, and strives to advance the civil rights of the people of the Commonwealth through law enforcement, outreach and training.”

The two new Worcester area compliance officer investigators, Ms. Jaclyn Zawada and Mr. Paris Prince have strong area ties. Ms. Zawada is a graduate of McGill University (2008) and Suffolk University Law School (2011). After graduation and passing the Massachusetts bar exam, Ms. Zawada volunteered with MCAD in the Boston office.

Mr. Prince has been living in Worcester for the past 6 years. He is a graduate of Becker College (2010) and a candidate for his MBA in Social Change from Clark University. He has professional experience as a real estate broker in the Worcester area and is involved in numerous Worcester community and civic organizations. Currently, Mr. Prince and Ms. Zawada split their time between MCAD’s Springfield office and the office in Worcester City Hall.

Mr. Prince and Ms. Zawada introduced themselves and the work of MCAD to the Worcester area last week at the YWCA’s Stand Against Racism annual event at City Commons. Worcester is fortunate to have them working on such critical issues for our community. Both Zawada and Prince work under the supervision of Commissioner Jamie R. Williamson who was appointed by Governor Patrick. Ms. Williamson was also the first African‐American woman to serve on the Pittsfield City Council, oversees their unit and works out of the MCAD Springfield office.

While there has long been an MCAD office on the first floor of Worcester City Hall, it is exciting to learn that MCAD has now hired two excellent compliance officers. Their presence is critical. They represent the only governmental resource in the Central Massachusetts region that serves to address discrimination and that has the power to potentially litigate and/or mediate discrimination cases. As a result, I am of the opinion that their office should be receiving complaints on a more regular basis.

Whether your concern is in employment, education, housing, mortgage lending, public accommodations, or some other area, all state residents are eligible to utilize services provided for free by MCAD. For more information on the areas of discrimination and protected classes included, click here.

According the MCAD’s website, “In 1946, the Massachusetts Legislature passed a bill creating the Fair Employment Practice Act and an agency to enforce it: the Fair Employment Practices Commission. In 1950, the Commission's name was changed to the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, reflecting the expansion of its jurisdiction to include discrimination in housing and public accommodations. Not only was its jurisdiction broadened, but its power to enforce a finding was also widened.”

Please join me in welcoming our area’s newest compliance officers, Ms. Jaclyn Zawada and Mr. Paris Prince, to the MCAD and the Enforcement division.

I know they’ll be busy! Given recent events, there seem to be plenty of complaints to file. From the WPI Russo travesty to the lack of diverse employment in City Hall, Ms. Zawada and Mr. Prince will be working hard in MCAD’s Worcester office.

I strongly encourage any and all who feel they have been discriminated against, to file a complaint with MCAD. You may call (508) 799-8010 or write to: MCAD, Worcester City Hall, 455 Main Street, Room 101 Worcester, MA 01608. Complaints can be filed in person as well, Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Cheers for helping to make the Worcester community a more welcoming place for everyone. Welcome new MCAD compliance officers!

Dr. Ravi Perry is currently an Assistant Professor of Political Science and Director of Ethnic Studies at Clark University where he specializations in Black politics, minority representation, and urban politics. He concentrates his research, oratory, and activism in areas such as the new generation of civil rights debates, public policy, and urban politics public service delivery to persons of color. His activism, commentary and oratory have been featured in media outlets nation-wide.