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Taking Down Walls Where We Live
Living together in the same communities is the most fundamental, direct and impactful way to dismantle racism and remove the inequities that have been inflicted upon Black, Indigenous and People of Color in our country. The events of the past few months have exposed and brought to the surface the inequities and injustice that persist in our country. The coronavirus pandemic has stricken fear in all of us but has been twice as deadly for black people than white people. The Navajo Nation is suffering the worst coronavirus infection rate in the country. The brutal murder of George Floyd has fueled outrage over the many Black lives lost unnecessarily to police brutality and the heavy policing of Black communities. Communities of color have also experienced a disproportionate pollution burden for decades and now are more heavily impacted by climate change events. The growing movement for racial justice must not end until our cities and communities reflect the rich diversity of people in our country, treat all people with justice and dignity, and provide equitable access to resources and opportunities.
Mixed-income, mixed-race communities are needed across America. The places where we live, and all the resources and amenities that they can provide, greatly influence personal and financial well-being. Mixed-income, mixed-race communities help bring out the full potential of individuals and have been found to benefit the quality of life for all residents. By living together in such communities, we regularly interact and break down bias and stereotypes, combating racism and affirming our shared humanity. Changing the makeup of our communities is difficult, long-term work but it must be done if we want our country to be truly equitable and just as protestors across the country are demanding.
I grew up in a wealthy, white suburb in Los Angeles County, unaware of my privilege as a straight, white male with access to a great education and many resources that I needed to succeed. Attending UC Berkeley opened up the world to me and allowed me to learn from a diversity of people and ideas. I remember, in particular, a course on African American History in the United States, in which I learned about the persistent racism and discrimination Black people have faced in their long struggle for freedom, civil rights and opportunity. The beating of Rodney King by…
