by Ron Walker
June 9, 2020
Another name has been added to the roll of black women and men murdered by unchecked police violence. His name is George Floyd. George’s first name joins Emmett, Trayvon, Eric, Michael, Laquan, Tamir, Walter, Freddie, Sandra, Philando, Botham, Breonna, Ahmaud, and others whose names we do not know lost to the persistent and insidious dehumanization that is embedded within the fiber of America.
Before our very eyes, we are witnessing the decay of civil society. The façade of liberty and justice for all that has been the foundational rock of this nation is being exposed for what it really means: liberty and justice for the privileged but not for the black or the brown. America now sits on the edge of a dangerous cliff and the cracks on the ground upon which it rests are splitting open. The cracks have revealed the deeply embedded roots of racism and elitism.
The Coalition of Schools Educating Boys of Color adds its voice to the growing assembly of organizations and individuals who cry out, “No more!” We say, “No more!” to senseless police violence. We say, “No more!” to unjust policies which are designed to dehumanize, disenfranchise, and discriminate against people of color. Finally, we say, “No more!” to any and all agendas calculated to deny vulnerable communities full and complete access to life, liberty, and their pursuit of happiness.
COSEBOC in this time of great distress will honor the memories of those whose first names have become unforgettable and who fuel our passion to seek justice. We will commit our full energies to advance and accelerate the affirmative social, emotional, cultural, spiritual and academic development of our boys and young men of color. We also commit to joining all who lobby to change policies, practices, and procedures that are soaked in bias and inequality.
The American Dream for too long has been the American Nightmare for black and brown people. The great poet Langston Hughes spoke powerfully about those who have been excluded from the American dream in his iconic poem,“I, Too,” when he writes,”… I am the darker brother./ They send me to eat in the kitchen/When company comes,..” It is past time to dismantle the institutional racism that has been cemented for generations in every facet of our society. It is time for this nation to listen to the voices that are declaring boldly and unapologetically, ”I, too, am America.”
George Floyd was entitled to those rights and privileges that would have been readily afforded to any white man accused of passing a counterfeit twenty-dollar bill. He too was America. Friends of COSEBOC, please join us in lifting prayers followed by positive social justice action in memory of George Floyd and the countless others we memorialize today.
Sincerely,
Ron Walker- Executive Director
Olga Price- Chair of the Board of Directors