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Written By: Carrianna Field

Professor Cazenave’s article in the opinion section of this Sunday’s the Hartford Courant, “Racism:  Never New, Just Rediscovered,” highlights how racism eats away at our community daily.  However, reading of such events and being disgusted by them is not enough.  Eliminating racism requires consistent, regular, dedicated and prolonged efforts to dismantle the systemic racism created through intentional policies. To undo these abuses, we must, as a community, create change that eliminates disparities in education and economic opportunities.   We must capture the public will to undo historical indifference to oppression.

As a white person, the article reminded me of my responsibility to actively work to eliminate institutional racism.

Consistent, coordinated efforts seeking to educate us all are needed to eliminate systemic racism which is so dangerous to our community.  I am Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors of YWCA Hartford Region and eliminating racism is at the core of our mission.  We invite organizations who are committed to peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all to join us on April 27, to take a Stand Against Racism.  The goal of the event is to raise awareness that racism still exists in our community and that it can no longer be ignored or tolerated.

More information can be found at www.standagainstracism.org.

Read Professor Cazenave’s opinion piece here.