Stay Woke and Vote.
Our hearts are heavy for Ahmaud Arberry, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd and their families. The Black Caucus of Hamden Connecticut expresses our deepest condolences to all the victims of police violence and racism. While Cell phones provide the visual evidence for black victims of police brutality for many African Americans these videos are traumatic because they are constant reminders of the pain and frustration of being black in a racist America.
During the last thirteen days, black people and their allies have protested the impact of police brutality and systemic racism. In spite of police body cams and implicit bias training, police brutality continues to plague black communities and communities of color across the nation. During the last twelve days, universities, corporations, non- profit organizations, and many others have written statements that outlined what they plan to do to fight systemic racism. These statements are the first step for healing and comfort but we would like this statement to serve as the first step to action.
Many Americans have short memories. If we know our history we may have a good sense of what will occur during the next few months. There will be numerous specials and conversations about racism and police brutality. We will hear from activists, scholars, politicians, and many others who have been engaged in protest, writing, and speaking about systemic racism and police violence. There will be conservative pundits blaming black people for not following police orders and memes of whites mimicking George Floyd’s death. In a few weeks, the nation will return to covering COVID 19 which has disproportionately killed African Americans at a higher rate than whites. Just another form of black death due to low-wage employment and a lack of high-quality affordable health care.
What the justice system, the health care industry, and every other institution in this nation need is a radical transformation. The justice system needs a radical transformation that will stop police violence against African Americans. The educational system needs a radical transformation that creates critical thinkers and social justice warriors to ensure our democracy is democratic. Our racist profit-based health care system needs a radical transformation in order to stop African Americans and poor people from dying slowly while they are living.
The time is now to take a stand against racism, police violence, and all other forms of structural inequality. As the late great historian, Howard Zinn said, “You can’t be neutral on a moving train.” The Black Caucus of Hamden Connecticut is asking you to get off the train of apathy and despair and join us on the train of equity and justice.
David Canton, President
Black Caucus of Hamden, CT
