VCC Magazine Summer 2019

V irginia C apitol C onnections , S ummer 2019 5 Reconciling The Past Begins With Equity Today By Delegate Sam Rasoul In recent months, we’ve had countless uncomfortable conversations about race and bias. It’s become painfully obvious that we have wounds which have simply scabbed over and not healed. Thus, it raises the question: How does Virginia actually begin the reconciliation process? Moreoften thannot, racial reconciliation efforts involve roundtable discussions with prominent people of different backgrounds. Conversations begin with stories of pain and histories of oppression, and end with a checklist of action items. Our society continues to engage in this flawed cycle as we refuse to acknowledge a stark reality: reconciliation of the past cannot happen until we alleviate the unjust inequities of the present. History gives us context to reflect on for sure. My hometown of Roanoke is one of the most racially segregated cities in the country, and the policies of urban renewal from decades ago are in part to blame. Roanoke was subjected to urban renewal at least three times, leveling our historically black neighborhoods in the name of economic progress. Urban renewal obliterated the thriving support systems that were the backbone of black Roanoke. Those systems were crucial at a time when Jim Crow laws stripped basic rights from people of color. People in those neighborhoods lost their community and security, and received nothing in return. While recent events in Virginia have pushed certain conversations to the forefront, we find the same unjust policies and processes continue to dominate the environment. Union Hill, an historic African-American community in Buckingham County founded by freed slaves after the Civil War, is under threat today. Dominion Energy plans to build a massive, air polluting compressor station for its Atlantic Coast Pipeline right in the middle of Union Hill. The station threatens the health and vitality of that black community. Or consider poverty. With the tight correlation between race and socioeconomics, we cannot ignore the fact that Virginia is currently ranked 51st in the nation (including D.C.) for workers. An honest conversation of race and inequities must include how our economy will alleviate the violence of poverty, which leaves families in a persistent traumatic state. Even while certain policies may not carry direct prejudice, there repercussions must be considered. Simply put, the lack of intent to discriminate does not change entrenched patterns that continue to disadvantage marginalized communities today. As we try to discuss reconciliation, one can begin to understand why promises of a more equitable future are tough to swallow as scars are still so visible. We return to the fundamental issue of equity. I’m not saying everyone should be given an equal amount at the end, but that we must deliver on the promise that we all begin with the same opportunities. One final thought—Equity is a journey, not a destination. We were reminded this winter that it’s a complicated journey. Delegate Sam Rasoul is a Democrat representing the 11th District, which includes part of the City of Roanoke. Equity is a journey “ ” We must… commit to action. “ ” An Agenda to Build a More Equal Virginia By Delegate Lamont Bagby Earlier this year, my friend and colleague Delegate Jay Jones took to the floor of the Virginia House and gave a heartfelt statement about how racism impacts our commonwealth and our country today. The speech gave words to the generations of struggle and hurt that define being black in America, particularly in the South. It offered a personal understanding that the impacts of slavery, segregation and systemic discrimination aren’t relics of the past. They are being felt acutely in black families and communities at this very moment. Delegate Jones’ speech and the controversy that prompted it inspired many white Virginians to ask about tangible policy steps we can take to combat systemic racism and its impacts on our Commonwealth. That is the right question to ask. However, I hope the people asking can understand why so many black Virginians are frustrated that it took a scandal involving our Governor and Attorney General to begin a discussion on fixing problems that have plagued our communities for generations. That scandal highlighted continued racial disparities and historical inequities. Despite the advancements we’ve made as a society, large swaths of our communities still feel the weight of poverty, a broken criminal justice system, and systemic racism that blocks them from accessing the resources and opportunities to escape those inequities. At this point in our history, we must move beyond reconciliation conversations and commit to action. It begins with reparations in the form of educational equity and criminal justice reform. It is sustained through economic empowerment, affordable housing and healthcare. We must embark on a historic mission to right the wrongs suffered by so many, for far too long. For some, reparations may be perceived as a divisive term but moving forward requires recognizing the damage that was inflicted upon black communities in our state and others and committing to healing it. It is not time to merely “tolerate” our differences. It is time to uplift all our communities—especially those who have suffered the most. I felt prompted to write this article, on behalf of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus, to advance this important mission. I am hopeful that Virginians who come to this conversation take a fresh look at issues like educational inequality, unfair housing policy, criminal justice reform, healthcare and many others and decide that this is the moment to act. Every member of the VLBC came to Richmond this year with legislation aiming to break down barriers for the communities we serve. Below is a sample of those ideas. These examples are not a comprehensive agenda for racial reconciliation, however passing them would represent substantial progress and improve life for every Virginian, especially Virginians of color. • Raise the minimum wage, as proposed by Sen. Rosalyn Dance and many of our colleagues. The importance of raising the minimum wage is particularly striking for families and communities of color who have faced barriers such as under-resourced schools and discrimination in the job market. See An Agenda to Build , continued on page 6 V