We recognize that the Black Community is experiencing a perfect storm of pain. While our hearts are broken with the continued killing of Black people, our core is strengthened with the resolve of our Black Community Commission Members to continue fighting for change. The Commission works diligently to obtain state investment to build self-determined community owned capital assets to address the generational poverty that persists in our communities. We stand with the Black Community to call for change to address the ingrained oppressive and discriminatory policies and practices in all our systems – education, healthcare, economic, housing and criminal justice. We have heard from our Black Community Commission members that the time to change is NOW.
The United States was founded on theft and vast injustices committed against indigenous, black and brown people. Hundreds of years of racist policies and laws have insured that the institutions and systems that privilege white people and keep Black communities in poverty are maintained. Overt discrimination and micro-aggressions have taken their toll on Black and Brown people’s mental health for generations. Racism has been declared a “public health crisis” by many cities and organizations.
Over the past 10 years, the Communities of Concern Commission has had honest conversations with the Governor, legislators, and state government officials about the inequity of state investment in our communities. The Commission has received push back from groups decrying “set-aside” funds for our communities, and criticism for our goals to house and serve our respective community members are in violation of fair housing law. We know that this targeted investment is what is needed to address past exclusion. For centuries, policymakers wrote Black communities out of economic systems which have resulted in the wealth gap we see today.
Hundreds of years of oppression cannot be undone by funding a capital asset here or there in a few of our communities. The pain and suffering that Black communities have endured cannot be healed with funding a youth development program here or an elder feeding program there. Massive investment in communities of color and poor rural communities is needed to build community wealth and power: improving access to jobs, housing, education, healthcare, internet broadband access, services and programs that communities determine that they need. While not the total answer, it is a much needed start if we as a country are going to address the pandemic of racism.
The number of deaths and confirmed cases of COVID-19, and the number of community members losing jobs in the hospitality and tourist industries are disproportionately high in Black and Brown Communities and economies. Black Community members have jobs that have been deemed “essential” – health care, public transportation, agriculture, meat packing plants, and grocery stores. Many employers have not provided the personal protective equipment employees need to protect themselves and their families, or followed social distancing parameters citing the expense of such measures. Access to testing and adequate healthcare has also been issues.
Democracy is accountability and responsibility to curtail the arbitrary use of power. While democracy in the U.S. remains imperfect, we must strive for perfection through justice.
The Communities of Concern Commission continues to stand with Black Community Commission Members as our country moves through sustained and effective action. We stand for change NOW!
“The Black Community is dealing with two pandemics – COVID-19 and racism.”