Dreaming of Transformational Change

I have not slept well this past week. I am dreaming of all the challenges my slave ancestors encountered, their sacrifices, pain, and endurance. My dreams are full of love for my community.

But when the killing of George Floyd emerged. I asked myself the same familiar questions many in the  African American community ponder, will these types of killings end? Will this latest atrocity be enough to ignite change? Is it finally our time for transformational justice?

Yes. Now is the time. After observing the current multicultural and generational movement, I see a difference. It is stunning. Our country has never witnessed such galvanizing of spirit and mobilization of protests. My father and I spoke about his memory of the civil rights movement and protests in 1968.  We realized that today, the international solidarity, grass-root campaigns, and the multi-racial participation are more potent. It is as if there has been an awakening, in white America, to the existence of a deep, underbelly of economic and racial injustice in our country.

But what can we do next? How can we use this moment of attention and energy to spearhead transformational change in criminal justice?

Elect and hold accountable local reform-minded police chiefs, prosecutors, and judges. We must focus on local elections because 95% of criminal justice cases are handled on the local and state level.

In the next several months, there may be many policy and legislative initiatives introduced. Do not become overwhelmed. Research your local city council races, mayoral, district attorney, and judgeship races. Find and vote for reform-minded candidate(s) and make our country’s dream of economic, social, and racial equality a reality.

See it on LinkedIn first.