The last four years of the Trump administration have left many of us exhausted and bewildered by the ongoing and blatant racists attacks against our communities and institutions; some leading to murder and others to caging of children, to name a few. All have gone either unpunished or received a slap on the hand. I don’t mean to sound callous about this history; I am just relaying the facts and trying to keep emotion out. I am also attempting not to be too emotionally invested in the outcome of this last act—a coupe d’état by white terrorists and other woefully misguided individuals.
I am, however, immensely physically and emotionally engaged in what happens next in our communities. I want to make sure we are all staying vigilant and proactive so that it won’t take another horrific and fatal tragedy to serve as the catalyst for collective outrage and action. The turnout over the summer in support of BLM was an incredible demonstration of what is possible when there is a collective retort to racism. Unfortunately, just as the racial injustices became even more glaring with the pandemic, we also got a cold shower on a freezing day. Turning this movement into concrete systems-change, is laden with hidden explosives that must be painfully and surgically found and de-stabilized. After the magnificent win in Georgia, the Dems now have control of both chambers of Congress and can pass legislation that could actually change the racist systems that ensure limited progress for our communities.
This will not be easy but as activists and community leaders, we have an opportunity to work in partnership to hold our political representatives accountable to not only demand change but be active players in its outcome. I say this with some hesitancy because some of our progressive representatives have their own agendas that prioritize moving up the ranks of the party, as the basis for their actions within their districts, rather than being intentional about changing racist and oppressive systems and policies. This inequitable application of justice is demoralizing but we have the power of voice and movement. I don’t want to talk about “the two Americas” that we keep seeing and experiencing; I want to talk about change at whatever cost. Not one more day of mediocracy. It is up to us now. We have an opportunity to address gerrymandering, voting rights, economic parity, and ensuring this democracy is truly a democracy for all—not just a minority of harmful white supremacists and their apologists.
Veronica Flores
Chief Executive Officer