“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced” — James Baldwin
African American author and activist James Baldwin challenged America amid the civil rights struggle, polarizing politics and deep-rooted economic and social division to engage in the hard work of racial justice. His words are as relevant now as they were then.
Baldwin reminds that each of us has a role to play in helping restructure the systems that govern our daily lives and existence on socioeconomic and political terms. The work of racial justice requires time, attention and personal commitment to issues that can be emotionally taxing and financially draining.
But let us also remember the words of the first African American to be nominated for vice president of the United States, Frederick Douglass, who, in 1857, said, “If there is no struggle, there is no progress.”
The struggle for racial justice affirms that our democracy is based on providing and protecting freedom and fairness for all individuals, regardless of gender, race, economic status, political ideology or religious background. “Liberty and justice for all” are social tenets that affirm intrinsic human worth and are the bedrock of our society. They require actively ensuring viable opportunities for all persons to succeed economically, vocationally and socially.
We should be fighting every day to ensure all people are able to live their best lives. When we create equity for “the least of these” (Matthew 25:31-46), we strengthen the very bedrock of our society. Bluntly, it’s not just good for others; it’s good for us all.
Yet when I ponder the plight of the Black American community, I often feel that we are in a constant struggle. While we have more equal opportunities today, we are still marching and fighting for the same rights as we’ve been seeking since the 1800s — equal housing, equal opportunities for building wealth, equitable education systems, equal access to medical care and so much more.
According to author Caroline Belden, “Equality is leaving the door open for anyone who has the means to approach it; equity is ensuring there is a pathway to that door for those who need it.”
The Delaware Racial Justice Collaborative (DRJC) started conducting the Delaware Racial Equity Challenge in 2020 as a way for people to make intentional efforts to change the trajectory of Delaware’s racial climate. It was a way to learn, grow, explore in the privacy of your own home.
This year, the DRJC team will take you on an explorative journey, and each quarter, we will work together to understand different forms of racism to help us change the way we think, behave and understand.
One thing I have learned is that the truism, “We don’t know what we don’t know,” applies to many who are staunch, vocal supporters of equality and who are fully allied with our work for equity. I received many emails last year from folks saying they learned so much about themselves and the nuances of racism in our communities, neighborhoods and state. We believe that it is this personal growth and clarity that will be the catalyst for real, sustainable change.
Look at the comments from some of the previous years’ participants in this video. It is clear that each of these individuals appreciated the challenge and felt they personally benefited from their time investment.
As one of the people behind the Delaware Racial Equity Challenge, I promise you that our lives, our children’s lives and future generations will benefit if we take the time to change our minds surrounding race and our community today.
I challenge you all to take the Delaware Racial Equity Challenge at deracialequitychallenge.org and encourage someone to take it with you.
Tierra Fair is the senior director of community engagement for United Way of Delaware.
