May 25th marked three years since the murder of George Floyd, the prologue to a national reckoning against police brutality and systemic racism. Race Forward stood in solidarity with millions of citizens who marched to demand justice for Black lives. Since then, Race Forward's staff has continued catalyzing the racial justice movement with a renewed sense of purpose. Also in May, Race Forward's President Glenn Harris joined the White House Convening on Equity, where he discussed the importance of narrative and the “story of multiracial democracy.”
“Although it takes political courage, “narrative” to succeed needs to be bold, clear and intentional,” said Harris. “We have learned time and time again what happens when the opposition names race and we fail to do so – we lose. We need to tell the story of multiracial democracy in a way that people can see it translate into their own lives, and create an understanding that it makes the country stronger as a whole. If we don’t tell the story of race and democracy, it will be told for us, and it will be a story we don’t want to see come to life. Our story is one of inclusion, more vibrant neighborhoods, stability, opportunity – that story has led to great leaps forward for the country, and inevitably powerful backlash. Fear is a dangerous motivator and we must confront it with courage”
As we advance toward this year’s Juneteenth observance, Race Forward highlights our past and present victories to ground us in our ongoing and upcoming racial justice work.
Colorlines: Disrupting Trauma, Embracing Collective Care (Playlist)
What is Healing Justice? Cara Page and Erica Woodard establish foundational contexts and principles for understanding Healing Justice as a political framework for collective liberation.
Be Safe, Make It Home Collective Vérité spoken word artists DeJuan Bland and Brittney Charisse share their expressions of the hopes and paradoxes of Black survival, safety, security and dreamcasting that occupy Black minds and bodies.
When We Walk Together Collage and fiber artist Connie Cagampang Heller sits down with Dr. Charlene Sinclair to discuss “Let the Dead Speak,” Hellers’ series of triptych’s conceived from their ongoing discussions about politics, race, community and love.
Assessment of Federal Equity Action Plans
Read the findings from Race Forward’s and PolicyLink’s review of 30 Equity Action Plans from federal agencies and departments. The report was released in early 2022.
Momentum: A Race Forward Podcast
Revisit the acclaimed “truth to power” episode entitled Black Lives Matter (Season 1, Episode 7) first released June 2020.
Throughout the summer, we will tell the untold stories, advance the best ideas, and lift up the leadership of our communities. We will continue to advance decriminalization, demilitarization, and restorative justice. We will continue to organize and lead governments to advance racial equity. Most of all, we vow that we will not stop until we all live in the just, vital, multiracial democratic society that we all deserve. We look forward to walking alongside you on this march to freedom. Justice is our horizon line!
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