{"id":4707,"date":"2020-05-28T23:25:00","date_gmt":"2020-05-29T04:25:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/empowermissouri.org\/?p=4707"},"modified":"2020-06-02T11:15:48","modified_gmt":"2020-06-02T16:15:48","slug":"we-are-not-even-in-the-same-storm-responding-individually-and-collectively-to-racist-violence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/empowermissouri.org\/es\/we-are-not-even-in-the-same-storm-responding-individually-and-collectively-to-racist-violence\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cNi siquiera estamos en la misma tormenta\u201d: respondiendo individual y colectivamente a la violencia racista"},"content":{"rendered":"

Note: The following blog contains links to stories that include photos and descriptions of actions that are traumatizing. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Recently, I have heard a number of people speculate that living through the COVID-19 pandemic is bringing uncommon unity to people in the U.S. that \u201cwe are all in the same boat now.\u201d Despite the longing that many of us have to declare that unity, this is not so. The horrific deaths of George Floyd<\/strong><\/a>, Breonna Taylor<\/strong><\/a>, y Ahmaud Arbery<\/strong><\/a> and the callous disregard of Amy Cooper<\/strong><\/a> demonstrate, yet again, in the words of a friend\u2019s pastor<\/strong><\/a>, we are not in the same boat; \u201cwe are not even in the same storm.\u201d<\/p>\n

Because Empower Missouri\u2019s advocacy network is diverse, I cannot offer a one-size-fits-all recommendation to you today as to what you, in particular, should do in response to these heart-breaking and enraging events. Some of us need to find safe places to let out our pain and tears, and I encourage each reader to reflect on how to offer yourself trauma-informed self-care at this time. But, as an anti-racist human who receives white privilege on a daily basis, I pledge not to simply vent feelings and practice self-care; I will take action in my professional and personal life.<\/p>\n

The next few days offer me \u2013 and others who choose to do so \u2013 two opportunities to be allies in addressing structural racism:<\/p>\n

First, Empower Missouri and many other organizations are joining in a #VetoSB600<\/strong><\/a> Campaign. The so-called \u201ccrime package\u201d that passed on the final day of Legislative Session threatens to continue patterns of mass incarceration that fall disproportionately on communities of color. In 2015, 55 percent<\/strong><\/a> of those imprisoned in federal or state prisons in the U.S. were Black or Latino.<\/p>\n

We have been unwilling to invest in solutions that Black scholars and organizers have recommended, but appear willing to build new prisons if SB600 is implemented. What does it mean when our General Assembly commits funds to these new prisons, but not to restorative justice, mental health, and fair housing? I believe racism has everything to do with that.<\/p>\n

Our May 26 blog<\/strong><\/a> offers three methods to make your voice count, but act soon because the Governor will take action between now and July 14. Organizations may also add their name to a joint letter to Gov. Parson en este enlace<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Secondly, the annual release of the Vehicle Stops Report (VSR) will appear on this page<\/strong><\/a> of the Attorney General\u2019s website on May 29. It does not take a crystal ball to know that for the 20th consecutive year Missouri data will show racial disparities in who is stopped by police and which stops lead to requests for a consent search, a drug dog search, or a charge of resisting arrest.<\/p>\n

Rather than simply reporting these shameful numbers annually, our General Assembly could mandate accountability measures for law enforcement agencies. Rep. Shamed Dogan (District 98, Ballwin) has sponsored legislation on this in recent Legislative Sessions, including House Bill 2070<\/strong><\/a> en 2020.<\/p>\n

Here are three steps you could take to move Missouri forward on this issue:<\/p>\n