Response to Executive Order on Combatting Race and Sex Stererotyping Copyrig hted
October 19, 2020
City of Dubuque Action Items # 1.
City Council Meeting
ITEM TITLE: Response to Executive Orderon Combatting Race and Sex
Stereotyping
SUM MARY: Correspondence from Mayor Buol on behalf of the City Council to
President Trump and Dubuque's Federal Legislators expressing
concern with Executive Order 13950 on Combatting Race and Sex
Stereotyping.
SUGGESTED Suggested Disposition: Receive and File
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
Letter to President Trump Supporting Documentation
Letter to Rep.Finkinauer Supporting Documentation
Letter to Sen. Grassley Supporting Documentation
Letter to Sen Ernst Supporting Documentation
October 9, 2020
President Donald J. Trump
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear President Trump:
I am writing today on behalf of myself and my Dubuque City Council colleagues to express our
concern with Executive Order 13950 on Combatting Race and Sex Stereotyping. We think that
the order as written will not have the intended result of combatting race and sex stereotyping
and may, in fact, escalate discrimination and harassment in the workplace.
The education that we and many institutions carry out regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion
is a necessary part of creating a workplace culture where people are not stereotyped and are
instead treated fairly on their individual merit. We are concerned that there will be institutions
who, out of fear of losing federal funds, will decline to continue educational activities that are
needed in order to ensure equal employment opportunities and protect people from
discrimination and harassment based on race and gender, in addition to other characteristics
protected by law.
We agree that it is dangerous to stereotype anyone, including white men, and our facilitators
take steps during educational workshops to reinforce this message. Our facilitators also do
their best to avoid presenting material in a way that creates a sense of shame, blame, or guilt
because they recognize that intentionally eliciting those feelings may be counterproductive to
learning. They do, however, challenge workshop attendees to think for themselves, to
continually learn, and to examine their past experiences. The goal is to improve understanding
of the causes of stereotyping and scapegoating so that employees work together to create a
work environment where these behaviors do not exist.
We respectfully request that you withdraw Executive Order 13950 so that institutions will not
allow fear of loss of federal funds prevent them from continuing to take the educational steps
necessary to protect each person's individual rights to a workplace that is fair and free from
discrimination.
Sincerely,
Mayor Roy D. Buol
City of Dubuque, lowa
October 9, 2020
Representative Abby Finkenauer
124 Cannon HOB
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Congresswoman Finkenauer:
I am writing today on behalf of myself and my Dubuque City Council colleagues to express our
concern with Executive Order 13950 on Combatting Race and Sex Stereotyping. We think that
the order as written will not have the intended result of combatting race and sex stereotyping
and may, in fact, escalate discrimination and harassment in the workplace.
The education that we and many institutions carry out regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion
is a necessary part of creating a workplace culture where people are not stereotyped and are
instead treated fairly on their individual merit. We are concerned that there will be institutions
who, out of fear of losing federal funds, will decline to continue educational activities that are
needed in order to ensure equal employment opportunities and protect people from
discrimination and harassment based on race and gender, in addition to other characteristics
protected by law.
We agree that it is dangerous to stereotype anyone, including white men, and our facilitators
take steps during educational workshops to reinforce this message. Our facilitators also do
their best to avoid presenting material in a way that creates a sense of shame, blame, or guilt
because they recognize that intentionally eliciting those feelings may be counterproductive to
learning. They do, however, challenge workshop attendees to think for themselves, to
continually learn, and to examine their past experiences. The goal is to improve understanding
of the causes of stereotyping and scapegoating so that employees work together to create a
work environment where these behaviors do not exist.
We respectfully request that you urge the President to withdraw Executive Order 13950 so that
institutions will not allow fear of loss of federal funds prevent them from continuing to take the
educational steps necessary to protect each person's individual rights to a workplace that is fair
and free from discrimination.
Sincerely,
Mayor Roy D. Buol
City of Dubuque, lowa
October 9, 2020
Senator Chuck Grassley
135 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senator Grassley:
I am writing today on behalf of myself and my Dubuque City Council colleagues to express our
concern with Executive Order 13950 on Combatting Race and Sex Stereotyping. We think that
the order as written will not have the intended result of combatting race and sex stereotyping
and may, in fact, escalate discrimination and harassment in the workplace.
The education that we and many institutions carry out regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion
is a necessary part of creating a workplace culture where people are not stereotyped and are
instead treated fairly on their individual merit. We are concerned that there will be institutions
who, out of fear of losing federal funds, will decline to continue educational activities that are
needed in order to ensure equal employment opportunities and protect people from
discrimination and harassment based on race and gender, in addition to other characteristics
protected by law.
We agree that it is dangerous to stereotype anyone, including white men, and our facilitators
take steps during educational workshops to reinforce this message. Our facilitators also do
their best to avoid presenting material in a way that creates a sense of shame, blame, or guilt
because they recognize that intentionally eliciting those feelings may be counterproductive to
learning. They do, however, challenge workshop attendees to think for themselves, to
continually learn, and to examine their past experiences. The goal is to improve understanding
of the causes of stereotyping and scapegoating so that employees work together to create a
work environment where these behaviors do not exist.
We respectfully request that you urge the President to withdraw Executive Order 13950 so that
institutions will not allow fear of loss of federal funds prevent them from continuing to take the
educational steps necessary to protect each person's individual rights to a workplace that is fair
and free from discrimination.
Sincerely,
Mayor Roy D. Buol
City of Dubuque, lowa
October 9, 2020
Senator Joni Ernst
730 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator Ernst:
I am writing today on behalf of myself and my Dubuque City Council colleagues to express our
concern with Executive Order 13950 on Combatting Race and Sex Stereotyping. We think that
the order as written will not have the intended result of combatting race and sex stereotyping
and may, in fact, escalate discrimination and harassment in the workplace.
The education that we and many institutions carry out regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion
is a necessary part of creating a workplace culture where people are not stereotyped and are
instead treated fairly on their individual merit. We are concerned that there will be institutions
who, out of fear of losing federal funds, will decline to continue educational activities that are
needed in order to ensure equal employment opportunities and protect people from
discrimination and harassment based on race and gender, in addition to other characteristics
protected by law.
We agree that it is dangerous to stereotype anyone, including white men, and our facilitators
take steps during educational workshops to reinforce this message. Our facilitators also do
their best to avoid presenting material in a way that creates a sense of shame, blame, or guilt
because they recognize that intentionally eliciting those feelings may be counterproductive to
learning. They do, however, challenge workshop attendees to think for themselves, to
continually learn, and to examine their past experiences. The goal is to improve understanding
of the causes of stereotyping and scapegoating so that employees work together to create a
work environment where these behaviors do not exist.
We respectfully request that you urge the President to withdraw Executive Order 13950 so that
institutions will not allow fear of loss of federal funds prevent them from continuing to take the
educational steps necessary to protect each person's individual rights to a workplace that is fair
and free from discrimination.
Sincerely,
Mayor Roy D. Buol
City of Dubuque, lowa