Racism against black people is at an all-time high in the United States. However, racism and inequality are not new problems, just unsolved ones.
For Joceyln Howard, commissioner candidate in Warren she is on a mission to remove the stigma of being Black in America.
Last week, Howard organized a Racial Summit: “Removing the Stigma of Being Black In America” at Butcher Park in Warren. The event invited government officials, legislators, business owners, educators, law enforcement, and clergy to a listening session of the concerns of African Americans.
The purpose of the event was to bring “radical awareness that will stimulate radical change.”
“It is important for me to address racism because I can trace racism in my family back five
generations. My family has been impacted in every institution of this country: land rights,
employment, education, male subjugation, and personal safety,” explained Howard. “When people see me as the first black woman to be a commissioner in Warren, they often believe it is
because of matriculation through academia. No, I carry the atrocities of my family with
me, and they would’ve hope that their suffering was enough. It’s their suffering that has given me a platform.
“I continue their fight. I believe there are countless stories of injustice and in one generation this defect can be stopped,’ she added.
Howard says that she worked with her pastor, Bishop Adolphus Cast for the past 3 years preparing for the racial summit, but the timing wasn’t right. After the events of George Floyd and the Amazon driver they knew it was important to start the discussion with their community.
We must end racism against black people, she says.
“There are many things people can do to help put an end to racism,” she said. “I believe while voting, legislation, diversity training, and social programs are very important and necessary. However, there is a bigger element in play. Racism at its core is a moral defect in our country, hence the reason
why we have difficulty eradicating it,” she stated. “Racism must publicly be denounced from every high office and institution. Publicly, not in small cell groups; but every institution needs to apologize publicly and list the ways that they have demonstrated bias. This will begin to shed light on every other subsequent layer of racism.”
Valencia Walker, 27, of Warren says she is pleased to know that racism is being called-out now more than ever.
“It’s such a good feeling to see everyone coming together to end the war on racism,” Walker said. “I know it is not going to be a quick process, but with time I pray that people would not judge anyone, because of the color of their skin. We are all human and we should all deserve to be treated equally in this world we live in. No one is better than the next person.”
Howard says that the protest happening around is definitely helping spread awareness on racism.
“The protest has shaken the world on this topic,” she expressed. “I believe after this; something will be done.”
Being Black in America has been a negative stigma in America for centuries. My reason for hosting the racial summit was to begin to unearth those mindsets and erase that stigma, she added.
“We cannot just fight for equal rights today; we must continue the discussion every day,” expressed Howard.
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