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The diversity of local anti-racism initiatives

by Melanie Ford
Zenith City Weekly

t the top of the Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial in Duluth is a quote from Edmund Burke: "An event has happened, upon which it is difficult to speak and impossible to remain silent."

The memorial stands as a reminder of the 1920 lynching of three Black men and as a call to speak out against racism. But speaking out is, indeed, difficult.

Why it is so hard to discuss race? Why don’t we hear about racial disparities from our community leaders? When there is an article, event, or blog about race, why does it generate so many hate–filled comments?

The more we learn about institutional racism, individual biases, the history that creates inequities, and the more we hear personal stories of oppression and privilege, the more it is impossible to remain silent.

Teaching respect for racial and cultural differences is key to overcoming racism. Ellen O’Neill, Executive Director of the Duluth YWCA, says, "Children have to be taught to fear," so the organization intentionally creates an environment where children recognize and appreciate the differences in people.

The YWCA is collaborating to promote anti–racist values. Its mission is "eliminating racism, empowering women." The local branch trains its staff and board to avoid racism and follow anti–bias policies in all activities, from childcare to public media campaigns.

There are similar governmental, tribal, and educational efforts, but my focus here is on local non–governmental organizations that explicitly include racial justice in their mission statements and activities.

Building Relationships–Analysis–Skills–Strategy (BRASS) is a group of community activists committed to taking risks, being uncomfortable, and "staying in the process" for the purpose of creating a racially equitable community.

They hold monthly meetings to discuss current events and listen to people’s stories. BRASS has partnered with local and statewide organizations to host a community dialogue about education equity and to promote equity to education leaders.

The mission of Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial, Inc. (CJMM)) is "achieving racial justice through fostering education, healing, and reconciliation in our communities." In addition to the memorial at First Street and Second Avenue East in Duluth, CJMM authored a school curriculum about the lynching and created short video documentaries to encourage dialogue.

Board members (I am a director of the CJMM board) speak to groups and meet people at the memorial to discuss this history and its lessons. Volunteers present the curriculum and videos upon request.

Community Action Duluth (CAD) "intentionally and deliberately address[es] racial disparities in employment, education, criminal justice, and housing" and "facilitat[es] the empowerment of people of color through education, advocacy, and community engagement." CAD holds free orientations twice a week to inform people about its programs and activities.

Many years ago, the congregation of Peace United Church of Christ chose to be a multicultural church, incorporating an anti–racist identity on institutional and individual levels.

The church’s "Dismantling Racism" team partnered with a Twin Cities–based organization to host "Antiracism Study–Dialogue Circles." The team created a seminar called "Cracking the Shell of Whiteness." Participants are not required to be church members.

The People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond has a mission of undoing racism. The local staff presents training sessions towards this goal.

Representatives of these organizations are invited to sit on committees that shape government practice. They work with the Duluth School District to close the gap between white students’ test scores and graduation rates and those of students of color.

Volunteers are working with the Duluth Police to create a Civilian Review Board—an independent body that will investigate allegations of police profiling—and with Arrowhead Regional Corrections to ensure the juvenile justice system does not base arrest, detention, and sentencing on characteristics that disparately impact non–White children.

Another quote on the Clayton, Jackson, and McGhie Memorial is from James Baldwin: "We are responsible for the world in which we find ourselves, if only because we are the only sentient force that can change it."

Melanie Ford is a lawyer in Duluth. She is a community representative on the steering committee of the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative, which works to eliminate racism in the justice system.

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