By Ronda Watson Barber
Publisher
Racism is a pandemic. It has been one of the evils perpetrated in the world. Will it finally be resolved? Times are changing. Can you feel it? Can you see it? It’s both exciting and scary. A diverse coalition of people across the planet is demanding equality. Folks are protesting around the world for basic freedoms and human rights. Young people are heavily involved in this movement. They are leaders. They are working to make a better future for themselves. George Floyd’s death at the knee of a Minneapolis police officer was the spark that lit the powder keg. Systemic racism and police brutality are being challenged. Black folks are demanding full citizenship in the United States.
Full citizenship comes with a price. How and will the privileged relinquish their power and control? How will white affluent communities accept the possible transfer of government resources to other neighborhoods in an equity effort? How will the criminal justice system, housing, banking, insurance, healthcare and other facets of American life be made more equal and fair?
Private corporations are professing their beliefs that Black Lives Matter in advertising campaigns. How will those sentiments play out in human resource offices and purchasing departments? Will the same companies and organizations that claim to respect and honor diversity be inclusive in hiring and purchasing?
OhioMBE will be polling local organizations on their diversity and inclusion efforts with both workforce development and purchasing. We will be challenging organizations to put their money behind their words. A monthly report will be generated and available online.
“Freedom is not something that anybody can be given. Freedom is something people take, and people are as free as they want to be” ―
Just my thoughts – rwb
To the litigious: The First Amendment protects several basic freedoms in the United States including freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, the right to assemble, and the right to petition the government. It was part of the Bill of Rights that was added to the Constitution on December 15, 1791. The U.S. Constitution applies to Black American as well. The views expressed in OhioMBE and the media outlets of The 912 Group are solely those of the author and do not reflect the views/opinions of The 912 Group, the editor, publisher, our staff, families, or our advertisers.
