Anthony Nganga Equality and Justice: What Can We Do?

Equality and Justice: What Can We Do?

anthony nganga

The protests precipitated by the police killing of George Floyd And numerous other black Americans reveal people’s frustrations About deliberate inequalities and injustices they have long endured. We cannot continue the same way.

As a Black man, I have had moments of reflection over the last week, Feeling lost and desperate and looking for purpose and direction. I want to be part of the solution. What can I do? What can we do? We know the protests will end at some point. The status quo around racism, social justice, and economic equality Must change drastically. To achieve real change we must take decisive and deliberate action. All of us, white, black, brown. Words are not enough; we must take action now. Here are suggestions for our community members, And for political, public, and private organization leaders.

Educate ourselves about historic and systematic racist policies and injustices. Look at the country and look in our own city. Educate ourselves on what has been done to make a better society. Put on someone else’s shoes and reflect on their experiences. WHY are they protesting? WHY are they taking a knee? WHY do they feel this way? Support and advocate for people everywhere who don’t have a chance to speak. Silence is not an option anymore!

Give the people who work for us the opportunity To air their feelings, experiences, things they have observed. Ask them how they feel we have done regarding equality and justice? What more can we do? Talk to the people we serve and ask: Do we represent racial and economic equality?

Take a hard and honest look at the organizations we represent. Does our staff represent the people we serve? If not, why? What must we do to change that? Take a look at the leadership of the organization. Do they represent the community? Have we been fair in promoting diversity?

Admit to our mistakes or shortcomings. Plan deliberate and measurable actions. Be transparent, be accountable to this plan. If you are already doing something, it’s time to double and triple the effort! Let’s rephrase “What can I do?” to this question: “If George Floyd was your dad or brother or son, What wouldn’t you do to achieve justice?”