Communities, activists, city leaders, social justice organizations and police departments represent groups that are making their stance heard on how systemic and structural racism perpetuates recurring police violence against African Americans.
It’s two things: shaving the police budget and redistributing funds to open better and equitable pathways for African-American people; and investigate policies, patterns and practice.
While today’s demands are not new calls to action, Memphis city leaders seem to be cooperating with requests to examine the current culture, strategies and priorities of the Memphis Police Department (MPD).
As the call to defund the police grows louder, it is apparent that those calls want funds and resources invested in African-American communities to close gaps in economic security, education and ownership.
The time is now for city leadership and citizens at every level of engagement to acknowledge the need for a model to advance Memphis and maintain momentum that does not leave the majority of African-American residents outpaced, undervalued and without fair access or representation to generate sustainable opportunities for themselves, their families or communities.
