I want to ensure justice for everyone in our communities and avoid the repetition of past mistakes. Each generation must recognize the harm caused by racism, violence, sexism, and bullying, and our responsibility is honor our shared values.
As a public figure, I am trusted to represent my community and take action to right wrongs and improve our state. I have worked to increase funding for law enforcement training and education and supported teaching the truth in our schools. Imparting knowledge and understanding you younger generations is a critical step forward.
It’s important to embrace discomfort, speak up and risk asking difficult questions. In honest conversations about racism, you’ll hear about the exhaustion, anger, feeling unheard, and frustration at the lack of progress. Together we can make our systems less disjointed and more fair. Speaking out against bullying, racism, demeaning language, and systemic racism is the right thing to do.
As a consultant, I once worked with a Black colleague to examine a public organization where every person of color had signed a complaint about systemic racism in both internal and external policies and actions. We focused on addressing the internal culture. One finding was that white managers avoided uncomfortable or potentially wrong interactions with people of color. Those who looked different were denied the information, feedback, assignments, rewards, and success needed to thrive. White managers, proud of the organization’s racial diversity, couldn’t understand how employees could criticize such a diverse and progressive place.
Many of us do not tolerate jokes with racial bias, much like we don’t tolerate rape jokes. Yet, it’s hard to gauge how deeply a colleague is hurt by insensitive or subtle remarks. To survive, people go along with comments that are not okay. We cannot leave it to the BIPOC community to change the culture and confront the problem on their own.
As your legislator, I strive to:
- Make our state agencies models of fairness and exemplary workplaces.
- Examine the impact of our laws on racial issues.
- Address past injustices in prison reform, drug policy, education, and land use.
- Continue work on use of force legislation, body cams, and more.
- Be willing to make mistakes and amends.
- Protect our elections.
- Embrace change.
- Listen and act.
I know there is much more to be done. We must not only work to retain the progress of past generations, but work to overcome the barriers that still exist.