From General Manager Wes Kooistra

In past columns, I have shared that as a white person I am not confident speaking about race. I find myself in an appointed position of leadership facing the complex issue of systemic racism as a white male who has benefitted from systems of racial oppression.  

I feel conflicted expressing this because I and other white people should not make ourselves the center of attention in these discussions. But my narcissistic struggle with my role and response is irrelevant when juxtaposed with the struggle of people who personally experience the consequences of systemic racism.

The introduction to Dr. Robin DiAngelo’s book, White Fragility, articulates a message that is important for me to hear and that I believe is worth sharing:

“…I believe that white progressives cause the most daily damage to people of color. I define white progressives as any white person who thinks he or she is not a racist, or is less racist, or in the “choir,” or already “gets it.” White progressives can be the most difficult for people of color because, to the degree that we think we have arrived, we will put our energy into making sure that others see us as having arrived. None of our energy will go into what we need to be doing for the rest of our lives: engaging in ongoing self-awareness, continuing education, relationship building, and actual antiracist practices. White progressives do indeed uphold and perpetrate racism, but our defensiveness and certitude make it virtually impossible to explain to us how we do so.” 

What I take from this is that we must reflect, seek education, build relationships, and act – not just in this moment, but throughout our lives.

The literature about advancing equity in transit lists many recommendations that are mostly pointed toward outcomes – addressing inequities in access, developing equitable fare policies that include decriminalizing fare evasion, creating better access to affordable housing and using operations and capital projects to advance meaningful employment in low-income communities and communities of color. 

But one process recommendation is always included, and that is engagement with communities. Listening is critical to our self-awareness, our on-going education, the building of trust relationships, and effective action. What we hear and do is so much more important than what we say. I want us to direct our energy toward listening and applying what we hear in our responses and in our actions. 

Since the June 8 Metro Transit Virtual Town Hall, my direct reports team has spent time considering the messages we received and how we can apply these insights to our work. As part of these meetings, I have asked each of my directors and operations officers to reexamine their role and the role that their department plays in advancing equity in our organization and our region.   

I am reexamining my role as well. On Wednesday, I sent my direct reports a list of initial actions we need to take to advance equity in transit this year. This is a start toward better addressing many of the recommendations for advancing equity in transit, including developing a public engagement approach that is not just project-based, but that supports an ongoing dialogue with communities. I have asked my leadership team to share these initial steps with their staff, but please know that this is just a start. There is so much more to do.

We have asked you to submit your thoughts and ideas to the Equity and Inclusion team at EquityMT@metrotransit.org. An online form where ideas can be submitted anonymously has also been created.

Please continue to send us your thoughts. I very much look forward to seeing the ideas that have been submitted, and to the continuing dialogues that will lead to actions that advance equity in transit.

Instructor Denny Johnson, right, will retire on Friday, July 3, after nearly 41 years of service. Johnson began his career at the old Snelling Garage and was among Metro Transit's first group of instructors. 

One of the best parts of his work as an instructor, he said, was meeting people from all over the world who came to Metro Transit with a desire to work hard. As his career progressed, many of his former students would see him and remark about the impact his patient, early guidance had on their lives. “You realize you really do make a difference,” Johnson said this week.

Johnson said he would miss the banter between colleagues, and commuting with fellow riders he’d befriended while commuting on the bus. In retirement, he plans to devote more time to several interests, including technology, cooking and the outdoors, and to enjoy living at a more relaxed pace. “I’m going to take each day and enjoy it, whatever it brings,” he said.

Read more about the careers of Metro Transit's longest-serving retirees

To note a retirement, promotion or new hire in Insights e-mail insights@metrotransit.org. 

Heywood Operator William Vacura received the following commendation from a Route 755 customer who appreciates his continued dedication during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

I want to commend an essential worker who has continued to provide essential service to me and the community by providing safe and efficient transportation. I've had the honor of riding the bus with this operator on other routes and saw him today on my 755A. It was nice to see him showing his continued commitment and service to us customers during this time of need. He is truly an outstanding and essential bus operator. Thank you William, as well as all other drivers at Metro Transit.

Terri

Crystal

Across the organization, Metro Transit employees’ work has shifted in recent months. To illustrate how staff is adapting, Q&A’s will be regularly featured in Insights. To share your story or suggest someone who is doing outstanding work, e-mail insights@metrotransit.org.

Several Metro Transit and Metropolitan Council employees were recently recognized for their communications and marketing work. 

The recognition came from the Minnesota Association of Government Communicators (MAGC), which held its annual Northern Lights awards on June 17 (this year's event was held online). The Metro Transit staff who took home awards were:

• Ryan Miller and John Komarek, who received a Northern Lights award for the video series “Hey, Where Does This Bus Go?” The Northern Lights award is the highest honor in each category.
• Elissa Erickson, who received a Silver Award for her work on a campaign encouraging the use of transit to get to special events (above). The campaign debuted just before the 2019 NCAA Men's Final Four, held at U.S. Bank Stadium.
• Adam Mehl, Rich Bothe, Ellen Thomson, John Sanborn, Sharon Feiner, Elissa Erickson, Sam Changtum, who shared an Award of Merit for the redesign of Metro Transit's website. The redesigned website debuted in December 2019. 

In addition, Met Council photographer Jeff Syme was honored with the Scott Pengelly Lifetime Achievement award.

After working as a newspaper reporter and photographer, Syme began working at the Metropolitan Waste Control Commission in 1989. He joined the Council's Communications Department when the commission and other regional agencies merged a decade later. 

In addition to his photography, Syme is the editor of The Wire, the Met Council's internal newsletter. See some of the photos colleagues used in Syme's nomination at jeffsyme.com.