It's Time for Systemic Change
By Christina Barr
I've been following the news compulsively for months, but never more so than my round-the-clock news updates over the past few days. I am moved by the protesters who are enduring the very real risk of COVID-19 and police violence to combat the racial status quo in our country. I am stunned by the rampant instances of police brutality against protesters protesting police brutality, yet heartened by the stories of deep caring and humanity that are emerging in the chaos of our days and nights.
I think of all that is happening right now - the pandemic, the protests, the brutality, the riots, the chaos - as a painful crucible that has the potential to forge a new path for our nation. In a way, it may not be possible to do this work without this struggle, in fact this work is the struggle. We have to commit to real change to end racism in our country. It is our collective responsibility to reshape our future. It is our collective responsibility to demand and make systemic change in our institutions and in the very fabric of our lives.
At Nevada Humanities, our mission is to create public programs and support public projects statewide that define the Nevada experience and facilitate the exploration of issues that matter to Nevadans and their communities - all Nevadans in all of their diversity and divergent voices. We envision a Nevada where people thrive in just and healthy communities, where connection and participation are part of everyday life, and where diverse perspectives are welcomed and valued. We use the tools of the humanities -–how people process, document, express, comprehend, and live the human experience -– to reach towards this vision, and I can't imagine a more timely moment for us to listen to each other, and to act boldly with purpose.
My heart goes out to George Floyd and his family, and to all of the families who have lost their loved ones to police violence. I send my deepest condolences for these shattering of lives. I stand as an ally to bear witness, to assert that Black lives matter, to fight racism in my community and beyond, to raise a child with wide open eyes who also feels the need to act and fight complacency, and to encourage others to join me in pursuing lasting change, even if this process is messy and uncomfortable. It is absolutely the right thing to do.
Image/Muralists Xena Goldman, Greta McLain, and Cadex Herrera.
George Floyd mural at Cup Foods, Minneapolis
Christina Barr is the Executive Director of Nevada Humanities.
Thank you for visiting Double Down, the Nevada Humanities blog. Any views or opinions represented in this blog are personal and belong solely to the blog author and do not represent those of Nevada Humanities, its staff, or any donor, partner, or affiliated organization, unless explicitly stated. All content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only. The owner of this blog makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site. Omissions, errors, or mistakes are entirely unintentional. Nevada Humanities reserves the right to alter, update, or remove content on this blog at any time.