Elgin panel talks about why Black Lives Matter
Having community conversations about race and getting out of personal comfort zones to get to know people are key to addressing racism, say racial justice advocates.
A panel of Elgin area community leaders Thursday talked about the significance of the Black Lives Matter movement at an event sponsored by the Elgin Human Relations Commission.
"In order for all lives to be equal, black lives have to be equal. When they are equal, all lives will matter," said Marcia Thompson, an attorney and civil rights advocate. "The premise is based on the sanctity of life. Black Lives Matter started out online and then it moved onto the streets. This has brought the civil rights movement back to the forefront."
Phillip Reed, a workplace diversity consultant, said the movement is a "call to action" and aims to raise the collective consciousness about systemic racial discrimination.
"We need more people who have the courage to move beyond their comfort zone," he said.
Black Lives Matter, which started out as a rallying cry against police brutality in the African-American community - spurred by police shootings of young black men such as 18-year-old Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri - has grown into an international movement.
Elgin High School environmental science teacher Deb Perryman said it prompted her to question her own attitude of defensiveness when talking about race. She urged white people to not be bystanders, to recognize racism exists and acknowledge white privilege, and be willing to have conversations about racism without getting defensive.
"It's really easy for someone like me to either think about racism or not think about racism," Perryman said. "I have that luxury. Growing up I was taught what racism is, but I don't think we ever talked about it. One of the issues is not understanding privilege and taking it really personally. We need to have these conversations within our school districts, within educators, within families."
The panelists said while much progress has been made since the civil rights movement, achieving a post-racial society is still a dream that has not been realized.
"We've got to be clear not to pass our racism onto our young generation," Reed said. "We've forgotten what started this fight. It's in our DNA."
City officials said they hope to carry on the conversation about race in Elgin and engage different groups within the community.
"Racism does not only just affect the African-American community. It affects the Lao community. It affects the Muslim community," Elgin Mayor Dave Kaptain said adding that people need to learn, share and expand beyond themselves to break down barriers.
Thompson urged city leaders to follow through such community conversations with action plans.
"Don't just talk about it. Write it down. Hold yourselves accountable," she said.