The following statement appeared in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune's June 7 edition on page A3:
The recent murders of George Floyd in Minneapolis, MN, Ahmaud Arbery in Brunswick, GA, and Breonna Taylor in Louisville, KY confront us once again, as so many times in the past, with how deeply embedded racism is in our society. The Manasota Anti-Racism Coalition (ARC) recognizes that racism and white supremacy shaped the founding of our nation and continue to impact our systems and social institutions.
We recognize that unconscious racism makes it difficult to acknowledge and address racial injustice and that inequity will be with us until we demand otherwise and work to transform our systems and institutions. We recognize that incalculable harm is being done to Black, indigenous, and people of color by the misuse of institutional power and by failing to confront and remedy the cumulative impact of hundreds of years of inequality and oppression. We also recognize that white people are harmed by racism and white supremacy in distinct ways as it misshapes them and disconnects white people from their humanity.
The Manasota Anti-Racism Coalition recognizes the urgency of the present moment. The Covid-19 pandemic has clearly revealed the health impacts of centuries of violence, systemic racism, and of unequal access to health care. Economic disparities are increasing, and racially motivated hate crimes are rising. It is clear that something needs to be done now. We therefore:
We recognize that unconscious racism makes it difficult to acknowledge and address racial injustice and that inequity will be with us until we demand otherwise and work to transform our systems and institutions. We recognize that incalculable harm is being done to Black, indigenous, and people of color by the misuse of institutional power and by failing to confront and remedy the cumulative impact of hundreds of years of inequality and oppression. We also recognize that white people are harmed by racism and white supremacy in distinct ways as it misshapes them and disconnects white people from their humanity.
The Manasota Anti-Racism Coalition recognizes the urgency of the present moment. The Covid-19 pandemic has clearly revealed the health impacts of centuries of violence, systemic racism, and of unequal access to health care. Economic disparities are increasing, and racially motivated hate crimes are rising. It is clear that something needs to be done now. We therefore:
- Condemn Racism - We condemn all acts of overt and covert racism, now and in the past, and we likewise condemn the social and political systems that have refused to respond to this injustice.
- Support Protest - We stand in solidarity with the lawful protesters demanding action in response to the recent murders of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd.
- Demand Police Accountability - We join the community and civil rights organizations across the country in calling for police accountability in the death of George Floyd and in all cases of police brutality and violence, and we call for the adoption of anti-racist police practices.
- Affirm Black Lives Matter - We call for all individuals and groups to take a public stand against racism, to proclaim that Black Lives Matter, and to work to change institutions and systems that disproportionately impact Black, indigenous, and people of color.
- Ask for Self-Reflection - We call for all individuals and groups to examine their own complicity with oppressive ideas, attitudes, and institutions.
- Commit Resources - We pledge the use of our personal and collective resources to support actions designed to end systemic racism, white supremacy, and the unequal treatment of Black, indigenous, and people of color.
Signed by Member Organizations of the Manasota Anti-Racism Coalition:
ANSWER Suncoast - Black Lives Matter Alliance Sarasota Manatee Chapter - Boxser Diversity Initiative - Center for Religious Tolerance - Sarasota Strong - Manasota Interracial Book Club - Newtown Nation - Sarasota Branch NAACP - Sarasota Anti-Racism Working Group - Peace Education and Action Center - Progressive Sarasota - Rodney Mitchell Foundation, Inc.
Unitarian Universalist Church of Sarasota - WSLR+Fogartyville
Unitarian Universalist Church of Sarasota - WSLR+Fogartyville
The Manasota Anti-Racism Coalition (ARC) is a project of the Sarasota Anti-Racism Working Group. The mission of the ARC is “To foster communication and build a support structure for local organizations to combat institutional racism and white supremacy. “ The ARC is made up of local groups actively engaged in addressing the impact of racism in our communities. We work with, and support, diverse groups to ensure racial justice and deepen our understanding of our shared humanity. Goals include building power by working together, raising the visibility of structural racism, showing support from diverse constituencies, and amplifying communication and networking channels.
To sign on to this statement or find out more information about local anti-racism education and organizing,
Please visit www.SarasotaPEACenter.org
Please visit www.SarasotaPEACenter.org