What transpired in Charlottesville, VA unnerves and grieves us. It is a manifestation of fear and hatred that is contrary to the world we seek - a society with justice and equity for all.
Seeing the crowds of white supremacists marching in the night with torches aflame is chilling, representing a demand for power and authority for people who are white.
We reject that notion, but our work is not only to despair and mourn, but to get to the root causes that create rot rather than sow life.
Our work is to change our laws that bake in the preferences and opportunities for people who are white and that punish and harm people of color.
- Reforming the criminal justice system to end mass incarceration.
- Reforming the way we elect those who represent us—removing the corrosive influence of money from a few wealthy individuals and corporations.
- Assuring that all citizens have access to the ballot; encouraging full voter participation, not suppressing voter participation.
- Opening our neighborhoods, our schools, our churches (and Quaker meetings) to people of all ethnicities and socioeconomic backgrounds.