If Not Now, When?
Never has America been more poised for change. Do more. Say more. Keep the pressure on.
Dear Friends:
As I write this letter, protesters are marching in the streets for the 19th day in a row. Young protesters – of all races- show no signs of slowing down. As long as our loud, collective voice can be heard, police brutality and systemic racism can’t fade quietly into the background.
Not this time. Or at least that’s my hope.
But, I must admit, I’m cynical. When you’ve lived as long as I have, you know we’ve been here before. We’ve seen great movements derailed. We’ve learned that promises made aren’t always promises kept. But like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “there is power in numbers and there is power in unity.”
I’m writing to say that we must continue to keep our eyes on the prize.
Do more. Say more. Keep the pressure on.
I’m starting with the man in the mirror.
We have the answers. The time to talk about it is over. We are experiencing the worst economic, political and social instability we’ve seen in generations. If we don’t act now, when do we?
It’s time to do the right thing with a real sense of urgency. Especially those of us who are in positions to create real, sustainable change. I’m speaking to those of us who occupy the highest seats in corporate, civic and academic America.
It’s easy to support the passionate protesters in the streets.
It’s easy to write letters that denounce police brutality and economic inequality.
It takes courage to call this what it really is – racism.
We are at a tipping point. And if we let this moment slip away, shame on us.
What’s next? Well, I’ll start with myself and challenge others to follow.
In support of young people who have shown a tremendous amount of courage, I pledge to be respectful but unafraid to tell the truth. It’s easier said than done. In corporate America, there were times I avoided speaking the truth about what I observed and what I experienced in order to make everybody feel comfortable.
Speaking out against policies and systems that keep racism in place may come with a hefty price. You may be labeled, ostracized or even fired. Still we must challenge the status quo.
We must address police brutality and we can’t stop there. We must address inequalities impacting hiring practices, education, health care disparities and community investment. All of these things help build a robust African American middle class.
For example, African Americans are grossly underrepresented at local corporations and on corporate boards. Too many African American owned businesses don’t get significant contracts that allow them to create jobs and wealth in the African American community. The lack of public and private investment in African American communities is unacceptable.
We must not be pacified. We can’t settle for marginal change.
Protests are expected to continue and I’m glad. As I watch these protesters, I have a range of emotion. Pride. Hope. Excitement about what could be if all of us push ourselves and do more than we’ve ever done before.
What progress will we see when we look back one year from today?
George Hinton, CEO Social Development Commission.
More about the 2020 Racial Justice Protests
- Rep. Ryan Clancy Settles With City Following 2020 Curfew Arrest - Jeramey Jannene - Dec 12th, 2023
- Supervisor Clancy Applauds Settlement in Clancy vs. City of Milwaukee - Ryan Clancy - Dec 12th, 2023
- Tosa Protest Assails Federal Court Decision Exonerating Police - Isiah Holmes - May 9th, 2023
- Wauwatosa ‘Target List’ Trial Begins - Isiah Holmes - May 3rd, 2023
- Shorewood Spitter Found Guilty For 2020 Protest Confrontation - Jeramey Jannene - Apr 20th, 2023
- City Hall: City Will Pay 2020 George Floyd Protester $270,000 - Jeramey Jannene - Feb 14th, 2023
- Tosa Protest Tickets Dismissed - Isiah Holmes - Jul 21st, 2022
- Op Ed: ‘We Need More’ - Charles Q. Sullivan - Mar 4th, 2022
- Milwaukee Officers Circulate “2020 Riot” Coins? - Isiah Holmes - Nov 14th, 2021
- City Hall: Police Department Tweets Lied To Public - Jeramey Jannene - Oct 27th, 2021
Read more about 2020 Racial Justice Protests here
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