Swampscott Schedules Race Forum In Wake Of Selectman Controversy

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — A discussion about race and white privilege in Swampscott — which has, so far, mainly taken place on social media — will move to a town-sponsored forum on Wednesday at 6 p.m.

The forum will be a "facilitated discussion about race, discrimination, inequality and injustice in the Town of Swampscott" and will be led by Susan Maze-Rothstein, co-director of the Center for Restorative Justice at Suffolk University.

"Recent events in Swampscott and nationally highlight the critical need for all of us to acknowledge and better understand the existence of discrimination, injustice and inequality within Swampscott," the town said in a Facebook post promoting the event. "Doing so is an important step toward taking the necessary steps to eradicate any formal and cultural systems that keep any resident or guest in Swampscott from feeling safe, welcomed and loved."

The forum comes after Selectman Don Hause was accused of making disparaging comments about the Black Lives Matter movement while having dinner with his wife and another couple at a Swampscott restaurant earlier this month. Hause has denied making the comments and has said he welcomes the forum.

Previous stories on Patch:

• Swampscott Selectman: I Misunderstood Term 'White Privilege'
• Swampscott Selectman: I Have No Ill Will Toward Bartender
• Bar Bans Swampscott Selectman, Rehires Bartender
• Bartender Fired After Facebook Post About Swampscott Selectman

The forum will be held on Zoom and is open to members of the community. For complete details on participating, see the town's Facebook message below.

Dave Copeland covers Swampscott and other North Shore communities for Patch. He can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).