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Introduction
Introduction
Hello Solano County residents.
You may have heard what has been going on around the country this past week.
Enough is enough. Racism does not belong in the 21st century, and as a site dedicated to promoting local community engagement and collective knowledge, it is our duty to promote community voices that are fighting racism right now.
What Happened?
What Happened?
As you may be aware, cities all across the United States have been home to protests following the death of George Floyd, an African American man, by a group of four police officers in Minnesota. Three of the officers were white while the other was Asian. A widespread video shows an officer kneeling on Floyd's neck for nine minutes. Floyd, who could be heard saying "I can't breathe," no longer had a pulse by the time an ambulance arrived and died later that day. Floyd's death has sparked outrage across the nation as his death symbolizes the latest in a history of police brutality, racism, and injustice in the country's history.
Picture of George Floyd, who was killed by police officers last week.Image credit: Benjamin Crump
Black Lives Matter
Black Lives Matter
Black lives matter.
That is not to say that other lives don't matter. A common phrase used to counter "Black Lives Matter" is "All Lives Matter." Of course, every life does matter. But by saying "All Lives Matter," one dismisses the problems faced by African Americans. What the nation has seen is a system that acts as if black lives don't matter. Black lives matter too. Black lives matter just as much. Saying "Black Lives Matter" brings attention to the racism prevalent in our society.
In 2020, here are some of the lives that have been lost due to racism in the United States:
Ahmaud Arbery, who was killed in February while jogging after two white men shot him, claiming that he was a burglar.
Breonna Taylor, who was killed in her apartment in March by Louisville police, who were looking for a man who was already detained.
Why Is This on Solano Futuro? Why Should I Care?
Why Is This on Solano Futuro? Why Should I Care?
People are dying. People have been dying. People have been suffering from a system that has oppressed them for hundreds of years.
Need a brief history reminder?
Need a brief history reminder?
15th-18th century: The ancestors of African Americans were sold and/or kidnapped from west African states and brought to the Americas as slaves.
15th-19th century: African Americans worked as slaves on the plantations of white Americans, who profited off of their labor.
19th century: African Americans are emancipated, but still face limited opportunities, especially due to Jim Crow laws. A terrorist group known as the Ku Klux Klan was formed, whose primary purpose was to intimidate African Americans through arson and murder.
20th century: African Americans gain more and more rights and protections as a result of the Civil Rights Movement.
21st century: Despite the strides made in the last century, many African American communities continue to face social inequalities, including high poverty rates and disproportionate incarcerations.
As Solano County residents, we live in one of the country's most diverse counties. We must remember whose lives are at stake here: our neighbors, our classmates and coworkers, our friends. We have a duty to make their voices heard as they fight a system that has been unjust for too long.
As people interested in planning, we must remember that city planning is inherently tied to social justice. Planning in the past has been used as a tool for segregation, oppression, and inequality. Cities today face continued inequality, an affordable housing crisis, gentrification, and displacement, all of which affects minority groups the most. These problems are created by planning and can be solved through planning.
We are not immune to the problems exemplified by what happened in Minnesota. Solano has its own history of police brutality, especially towards African Americans. One of the most recent examples was the killing of Willie McCoy by Vallejo police in February of last year.
This is a nationwide problem--one that has its roots in a history of racism and systemic oppression.
What Can I Do?
What Can I Do?
Please listen to the voices of those who are most affected by these injustices. Amplify and spread their voices.
Educate yourself and others, be open-minded and empathetic to the struggles of our neighbors, and speak out against racial injustice.
Make educated votes in local, state, and national elections.
Call out racism, in your own communities, especially from your own friends and family. Help them learn about the issues in our country.
Remember: silence upholds our current system.
Of course, this would not be Solano Futuro without us telling you to contact your local officials! Some cities have already released statements condemning the events in Minnesota; however, you may have other thoughts you may wish to share.
Benicia
Fairfield
Rio Vista
Suisun City
Vacaville
Vallejo
You may also contact the officials in any of the community resources listed in the Read More section below. These people are more directly involved in the case surrounding George Floyd's death.
If you are able to, please contribute to any of the number of organizations working to create a more just and equal society. We are providing a list of a few here. If you know of any other organizations not listed here, please let us know by emailing us.
We also have links to more organizations in the Read More section under Community Resources.
If you are going out to protest, remember that the coronavirus pandemic has not ended, so please wear a mask, practice social distancing if possible, and stay safe. Please DO NOT loot our small businesses. Here is a list of protests nearby:
Vacaville
Vallejo
Oakland
Sacramento
San Francisco
San Jose
Read More
Read More
Do you have readings/resources that you want included? Email us!
Incidents of Police Brutality in Solano
Incidents of Police Brutality in Solano
This article covers the death of Eric Reason, who was killed by an off-duty Richmond police officer in 2019.
KQED - In Vallejo, a Sister Challenges the Police Narrative of Her Brother's Shooting 2019-08-21
This article covers the death of Angel Ramos, a 21 year-old Vallejo resident shot by VPD in 2017.
This article covers the death of Ronell Foster, who was killed by VPD in 2018.
NBC - Residents in Vallejo, California, Demand Change After Fatal Police Shootings 2019-04-09
This article gives insight into the history of police brutality in Vallejo, including the deaths of the following individuals:
Willie McCoy (2019)
Ronell Foster (2018)
Angel Ramos (2017)
This article covers the death of Willie McCoy, who was shot by VPD a number of times in 2019.
Learn More About Inequality
Learn More About Inequality
National Urban League - 2018 Equality Index
This publication provides data that gives insight on disparities between African and white Americans.
New York Times - An Anti-Racist Reading List 2020-05-29
In this article, Ibram Kendi provides recommendations to combat racism in modern America.
Community Resources
Community Resources
These resources can be found on various social media platforms. Please note that these do NOT represent the political views of Solano Futuro, but are instead meant to provide insight into community voices.
Remember that it is okay to disagree with any of the ideas posed, but learning and understanding different points of view is essential to finding solutions to our problems.
@abjectcriticism - George Floyd Resource Compilation
This document contains many different resources for people all over the country, including legal aid for protestors, campaigns requesting donations, potential officials to contact, and articles about policing and prison abolition.
@ambivalcnt - #blacklivesmatter
This document contains relevant petitions, recommendations for organizations to donate to, resources for protestors, educational readings, and officials to contact.
This document has links to bail funds that you may be interested in donating to and a list of legal firms.
This website has a map of protests, a list of petitions and organizations to donate to, and other resources.
@blazedbxtch - List of Petitions to Sign
@greenteaamami - List of Books Discussing Race, Class, and Prison Abolition
If you are able to, please buy these books if you choose to read them.
This website aims to compile educational resources about a post-police future.
@pl6in - List of Black-Led LGBTQ+ Community Organizations to Donate To
Police Data Accessibility Project
This community-run project aims to bring police accountability by creating a public library of law enforcement records.
@smoothjasmine - Anti-Racism Packet
This document contains infographics on racism, groups to contact and/or donate to, media recommendations made by black artists, and advice for protestors.
@wanderingbritt_ - List of Children's Books That Discuss Race and Racism
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