by Renee Ledbetter, NAACP New Bedford Vice President
Has everything been placed in perspective this year? Is racial equity a priority for all, this year? Were the elections important to every single person throughout the nation, this year? Will the economy ever get better? Will the landlords that are capitalizing on this year’s pandemic ever be held accountable for their lack of human dignity? Will law enforcement reform happen? Will congregations open completely so that all can worship together? Will the local, state and national government prioritize their mission and vision for our communities and country? Will we as people continue to act for what we could have, what we should have, what we deserve and what we are entitled to?
When will we stop tearing each other down? When will we stop telling each other what’s best for them? When will we stop telling people what they get to do, and just do what is right?
As I reflect on this past year, I have learned so much about myself and I have learned so much about the people around me. Racial equity has never been in the forefront of the nation’s thoughts, concerns or even conversations.
We say it’s because of George Floyd’s murder, but there have been many others prior to George Floyd and after. We have had several young men right here in New Bedford that have lost their life due to excessive use of force by the police and or each other. In local communities, we may not have had as many as other states, but just one is enough to say something has to be done.
As a black woman, I cringe every time I hear there is going to be another conversation about racism. I say this because these conversations should have been happening a long time ago. These conversations should have had action taken a long time ago. We can’t just sit here and talk about what we need to do. We need to go out and do it.
What does that look like? That looks like us making sure that people in our community are paid equitably regardless of their race, ethnicity, or gender. That looks like more affordable housing. We should not accept paying $1,200 for rent in a house that looks like it’s going to fall apart. We should not accept housing units or housing authorities taking their residents’ human dignity away from them, by some of their standards.
Do I agree law enforcement needs to be reformed? Yes, I do agree. But the other thing that needs to be reformed is our attitude towards humanity. If we want a community of peace, public safety for everyone, police officers that actually get to know their community, affordable housing, economic equity, racial equity, gender identification equity, and many other changes that need to happen, we have to do the work.
We need more than slogans stating we are working towards racial equity. We can’t continue to bash each other on social media, newspapers, and television ads.
Families, this is your time to come together, stand together, and work towards the betterment of not just your own family but your community that your family is being raised in.
This year in particular has been tough for everyone. We are all in the same boat, with different challenges that we have had to face. We have lost homes and employment. Our security has been shaken. Those suffering from mental health issues or battling addiction have had to fight even harder for supports. Some of us have lost faith. We have lost time with family and friends. So many lives have been lost to this virus among other health conditions, tragedies, murders and overdoses.
We have had to change plans, our holidays, traditions, and religious celebrations are different for all of us. The Memorial Day parade was canceled. The Cape Verdean Independence Day parade was canceled. Fourth of July fireworks were canceled. Summer and Winter vacations all canceled.
School has been conducted in a very untraditional way and has been a challenge for many including the teachers. Thanksgiving, recreation for all, organized sports for youth and adults, Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa celebrations have all looked different.
I pray that, going into 2021, although that will look different as well, the lessons that have been learned throughout this last year become a reason for us to change our homes and community for the better.
I hope for rebirth within our community. We have youth struggling with obstacles and challenges placed in their way. We have families in need of more than everyday basic needs. We have individuals craving love, hope and faith in something and someone they can trust. Some of us are so angry at what’s going on in our communities and in our nation, we have lost faith in our local and national government. In turn, some of our local and national government leaders have lost faith in some of us.
What are we going to do to create an environment to thrive in a positive way? What are we going to do for each other in order to show the love and support that is needed throughout this community and even in our own families? The national office of the NAACP has a motto, “Enough is enough.” When I think about that motto, what comes to mind for me is: when is enough, enough?
Enough is already enough. Let’s work together to flatten the curve for this pandemic. Let us work together in order to create change: racial equity, economic equity, equity in housing and employment. Let’s work together to strengthen our young men and young women in order for them to have a positive and equitable future.
Men and women, take your place. Teach our young men how to be strong and confident gentleman. Teach our young women how to be confident and strong women. Help them to understand we have to stop working against and hurting each other and start working with each other. That is the only way we’re going to make change in this community.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. had a dream. I am sure many of you reading this have that same dream. For the sake of our children, our grandchildren, and our future children, let us stop blaming each other and work together to make the change that is needed.
Renee Ledbetter is vice president of the New Bedford chapter of the NAACP. Her essay originally appeared in the Standard-Times on January 3, 2021
