CLEVELAND — During a two hour Zoom meeting, Cleveland City Council members and community leaders discussed what it would mean to pass a resolution to declare racism a public health crisis.
YWCA Cleveland CEO Margaret Mitchell says there is an opening to do the right thing.
“I would say this resolution is an opportunity to evaluate, bring awareness, make change and most importantly more importantly create accountability,” says Mitchell.
Resolution co-sponsor Councilman Basheer Jones says the marches were for awareness, and the City has a responsibility to take action before another Clevelander dies from systemic and institutional racism.
“It is killing our sons and daughters. It is killing our elders. It is killing us financially. It is killing us educationally. This has to be…this legislation has to be more than a piece of paper,” says Councilman Jones.
Every leader on the Zoom call agreed that it will take a multi-partner public and private effort. Marsha Mockabee, President of the Urban League of Greater Cleveland says its going to take a lot of effort and will not happen overnight.
“The only way that systemic change is going to happen is when we disrupt all of the practices and procedures that have been allowed to go on in systems that have kept the inequities in place,” says Mockabee.
Councilman Jones is hoping for a result that will positively impact black lives from education, to health disparities to job opportunities, housing, and more.
“Cleveland must dedicate itself and dedicate its resources for ensuring that all people can benefit from the American dream,” says Councilman Jones.