Photo taken by Steven King, Monument Avenue Richmond VA
Dear Richmond,
Your roots are racist, your statues are racist, and sadly many of your people are racist. AND yet I call you my home. Your roots are also built on the backs of the slaves that built this country and your people are also Black and Brown and White and Asian and Indian and so many other diverse races and ethnicities. You are beautiful Richmond, but as we stand right now you are NOT FREE.
The picture above shows the true soul and beauty of this city. The statue is a terrible symbol but as a canvas for voice and a back drop of change you are beautiful. As a city we grieve for the terrible violence at the hands of police towards our black and brown neighbors. We however rejoice in the heart of a city willing to take back its streets and the bravery of the young.
Change cannot and does not happen ONLY in the voting booths or in the court rooms, people have to use their voice to be heard and this week Richmond did that. The statues are coming down and that is directly due to the constant pressure that the young activists have put on our city governement for the last 10 days. But we are not done yet. Taking statues down does not end systemic racism and therefore the young brave activists of this city and many brave citizens of this city continue to take to the streets.
Marcus David Peters was killed in 2018 by a Richmond police officer while experiencing a mental health crisis. He was not clothed, not a threat, and just needed help. Fear killed him, anger killed him, the police killed him. Racism is alive in Richmond and this horrifying incident happened 2 years ago. Why Richmond? Why did it take two years, countless black and brown lives nation wide, and 10 days of protesting to get this conversation heard? We HAVE to be part of the solution regardless of the color of our skin.
Mayor Stoney has now committed to implementing the Marcus Alert which will require a mental health professional to accompany police to situations that involve a mental health crisis. This is a great start but Richmond we must keep an eye on this policy and ensure that it enacts what the people have asked for and change it if it does not work. No more death of my black and brown neighbors, no more police violence, no more excuses Richmond.
Mayor Stoney has now committed to implementing the Marcus Alert which will require a mental health professional to accompany police to situations that involve a mental health crisis. This is a great start but Richmond we must keep an eye on this policy and ensure that it enacts what the people have asked for and change it if it does not work. No more death of my black and brown neighbors, no more police violence, no more excuses Richmond.
Our city is hurting Richmond, we weep from the pain, from the tear gas, from the hate. Change is coming but nothing good ever comes for free. The work must continue and the people must continue to have voice. I will do my part Richmond, and not just for now but forever. For if all of us are not free, none of us are free.
<3 In Solidarity,
Rachelle
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