Congressional Black Caucus Foundation event focuses on power of inclusive policy
I recently attended the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s 53rd Annual Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., as the Southern Poverty Law Center’s federal policy director. This year’s theme – “From Vision to Victory: Amplifying Black Voices” – recognized the foundation’s continued effort to promote a policy agenda that serves not only Black people but all marginalized people.
As we gathered with policymakers, analysts, and, perhaps most importantly, young Black and Brown professionals and voters at our conference workshop, I was struck by the collective understanding attendees had of this pivotal moment in our history ahead of November’s presidential election, and why we must remain steadfast. We must address the issues that matter most to our communities, whether that be poverty and a lack of affordable housing, the rolling back of affirmative action and anti-discrimination policies, or the overwhelming costs of student loans. This is what we emphasized to people and young voters at the workshop during the conference, which took place from Sept. 11-15.
We stand at a crossroads in history that will define the type of society we want to be for the next 10 to 30 years. White supremacists and white nationalist ideologies have moved from the fringe to the center stage of American politics. These divisive ideas do not represent the ideals espoused in our Constitution, nor do they represent the desires of most Americans. The threats to our democracy that these ideologies pose are real.
It’s not just a matter of ensuring such ideologies are not promoted by the office of the president. Our communities are touched by local and state laws and policies that govern our daily lives. The issues that our communities face, especially in the South, are tied to the type of people who run for office and the type of people we elect to represent us, from our school board members and mayors to our sheriffs and judges to state and federal legislators.
Voting is the language of our democracy, and if you don’t vote or remain civically engaged, you won’t count. What we believe at the SPLC is that the solution is not to pull away, but to lean in – and to remain engaged long after one’s ballot has been cast. When we fight for the most silenced and marginalized among us, we move our society forward for all.
Black people have borne the brunt of the oppressive policies we see throughout every level of the systems that govern our country – particularly in the Deep South. It’s why the SPLC recognizes the importance of focusing its efforts on Black and Brown communities to build a multiracial, just and equitable society.
If we attack and eliminate the racist, obstructionist policies and attitudes that prevent these communities from enjoying the full benefits of democracy, then with that tide, every other boat rises. Throughout American history, we have seen that with great progress comes great backlash. But we know that despite that backlash, we must never stop pushing until all of us are free!
Picture at top: Panelists at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s 53rd Annual Legislative Conference in Washington discuss poverty, a lack of affordable housing, the rolling back of affirmative action and anti-discrimination policies, the overwhelming costs of student loans and other issues affecting Black communities across the country. (Credit: Matailong Du)
