These are the toughest times I’ve ever seen. A global pandemic has taken over 100,000 American lives, including hundreds of our Downriver neighbors. Our economic future is uncertain. And millions are peacefully protesting in the streets -- using their voices to call for justice for George Floyd because a police officer took George Floyd’s voice away. These events heighten the call for the systemic change we need now--change that will take real steps toward undoing racism and prejudice ingrained into our society. We need to do our part to create change, but it won’t be easy. 

 

This is an enormous task because of how America is structured. 

 

Our schools and neighborhoods are still segregated. There are education gaps exacerbated by funding gaps. The coronavirus pandemic bears out the results of this inequality. The education gap is certainly a part of why black and brown unemployment rises in times of economic panic even more than for white workers. Black and brown people are dying from COVID-19 at a higher rate than anyone else because of healthcare and housing inequities. And there were hundreds of unarmed black people killed this year alone -- including George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery. 

 

Together, these forces have created a time of unprecedented uncertainty in our country. But this is also a moment of unprecedented opportunity.

 

A movement led largely by young people, and supported by people of every age and background, is taking to the streets to cry out for reform. This moment feels different for so many reasons, but perhaps the largest is that young people are breaking down old ways of thinking. 

 

We don’t live in a world governed by zero sum thinking, but one that centers diversity and solidarity. The internet and social media have expanded our definition of community and unlocked new experiences and perspectives.

 

I witnessed this firsthand yesterday in Woodhaven. Even our Downriver neighbors have had enough. It was one of the first protests that I can remember in our community -- and it was led by young people, carrying signs, marching, protesting police brutality, and asserting that Black Lives Matter. 

 

One of the most impactful parts of this demonstration came not from the protesters themselves, but from the people of all backgrounds who drove by and honked their horns in solidarity. It was especially powerful seeing so many of our community’s black and brown families smiling with hope on their faces and their fists in the air: for the first time, perhaps, Downriver felt like home. 

 

From Grosse Ile to Woodhaven and across our region, people are looking for ways to get involved: to have their voices heard, to support frontline organizers, to challenge their elected leaders, and to be a stronger advocate and ally in the movement for racial justice. 

 

If this sounds like something you want to be a part of — then this movement and this time is for you. You can be a part of this fight for justice. 

 

For Black folks and other people of color, this moment in history is not the first time this type of pain has been felt. However, it may be a time that people of all backgrounds -- but especially white folks -- are finallying paying attention. 

To build a lasting movement for justice, we all must listen. We must act. And we must lead. 

 

This movement is not independent from the work to break down the barriers of injustice in our education, housing, healthcare, and food systems. 

 

This movement is not independent from how we live our lives everyday. To be a part of a movement for racial justice is to practice anti-racism in our daily lives. To model it for our young people and neighbors. And to call out prejudice when we see it. 

 

This is a movement for Black Lives, and it has to include everyone. 

 

So whether it’s doing this work at another protest, a phone bank, a School Board meeting, our places of worship, the State Capitol, or the polls, your participation and voice matter. 

 

Our neighbors are counting on us. And our kids are watching. 

 

Let’s not let them down.