How … and Why … to Judge Candidates on Racial and Social Justice

City Pulse • October 7, 2020 www.lansingcitypulse.com 15 Rating candidates on social justice and equity When it comes to issues over which local vide voters with information to help them make Her words combined with the results of the City elected officials have much control, social equity up their minds, and rate the candidates based on Pulse questionnaire — whether through the can- and equality are two. They may not be able to do City Pulse’s liberal views of these issues. didates’ words or their failure to respond to the much about COVID-19 and the economy, but they Thanks to Kyle Kaminski for undertaking this survey — are meant to help you as you decide can help our communities deal with and over- project and to Abby Sumbler, our production your choices in an election that is as much about come the biproducts of racism. manager, for making it so readable. who is at the bottom on the ticket as above. What follows starting on the next page are the And a special thanks to pioneering civic lead- BERL SCHWARTZ results of a survey sent to virtually every candi- er Barbara Roberts Mason, who kindly agreed Editor and publisher date in mid-Michigan. The goals were two: pro- to write her thoughts on this important matter. How … and why … to judge candidates on racial and social justice By BARBARA ROBERTS MASON (The writer was the first African American woman to be elected to statewide office, serving 24 years on the state Board of Education. She helped lead the creation of the Office of Minority Affairs at the Michigan Education Association. She was a longtime leader of Mason the Lansing Regional Sister Cities Commission.) e were excited when Barack Obama was elected president. WSome felt as though we had final- ly achieved a “post-racial” society. We thought this was a perfect opportunity for elected officials throughout the country to shape policies that would benefit all citizens and reduce inequities. This, of course, did not happen, as was shown by the way the U.S. Senate declared from the beginning that Obama would only be a one-term president. What we witnessed instead, was overt morphing of implicit bias into explicit bias. Elected officials in Michigan and across the country adopted laws and policies that inten- tionally continued social and racial inequities more recent positions, we should challenge tured human beings were brought to this land that have existed for decades and even cen- them on their understanding of the issues and it was determined that they would exist turies. they espouse and not just take it for granted only at the pleasure of and for the use of the During an election year, candidates make that they will do the right thing, just because white population of this country. Religious many promises about racial and social justice. they say the right things. If elected, regardless entities and scientists proffered the tenet that They promise to work toward eliminating of the position they will hold, e.g. legislature, Africans were somehow less than human and racism. They extoll their love and respect for school board, sheriff or township council, they possessed inferior intelligence and were not people of all racial and ethnic groups. They will take actions and shape policies that will fit to be included in the riches the land had to express their disdain for bias and the rise of have an impact on reducing, maintaining or offer, but were only deserving of the pity and domestic terrorism. Yet, many of these same increasing our inequities. servitude and patronization of their white people have difficulty using words such as When candidates discuss racial and social superiors. Even the Constitution, written by racist, institutional or systemic racism, white justice issues, we must make sure that they the founding fathers and ratified by the new privilege, white supremacy or Black Lives understand that the problems facing us at nation, avowed freedoms for all people … but Matter. In fact, many have little understand- this time are not just current issues. They are did not include people of color. ing of how entrenched in our society these issues that have haunted us since before the To be able to definitively represent people and like words are or why. As voters interview inception of this nation. These issues became the candidates and study their long-term and a reality and a problem in 1619 when cap- See Justice, Page 28 16 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • October 7, 2020 YOUR VOTE Social justice & equity MATTERS About City Pulse’s ENGAGEMENT BLM vs. ALMEQUALITY RACISM vs.EQUITY EXISTS?DISMANTLE ABOVE RACISMSCORE & BEYOND PERFECT 6? INGHAM COUNTY Rating System County Prosecuting Attorney (PICK 1 of 2) Surveys were sent weeks in Carol Siemon ✔ ✔ ✔ NO ✔ ✔ 5 NO advance to candidates in near- Color Key: Q: What types of solutions to criminal justice problems do you bring to the table? ly every contested race on the A: “I’m looking at how gun violence and homicides can be reduced General Election in Ingham, Clinton REPUBLICAN through implementation of new programming that has succeeded in other communities. Our gun violence and shootings, like almost every and Eaton counties. A total of 93 of DEMOCRAT urban community, disproportionately involve Black and brown victims 259 candidates replied, while 166 and participants. We cannot continue to solely do the same “law and either declined to participate or NON-PARTISAN order, “ “tough on crime” reactions and expect different outcomes. I simply didn’t respond to our calls U.S. TAXPAYERS PARTY remain committed to working within the community, with community and emails. members through Advocates and Leaders for Police and Community We awarded up to 6 points to GREEN PARTY Trust, with victim efforts with community leaders, and whatever new those with progressive views on avenues open up.” racial justice and social equity. NATURAL LAW PARTY — Carol Siemon, Democratic Ingham County Prosecuting Attorney Only 43 candidates received a LIBERTARIAN PARTY George Platsis ✔ NO NO NO NO NO 1 NO perfect score. Some judicial can- WORKING CLASS PARTY County Sheriff (PICK 1 of 2) didates cited judicial ethical con- Scott Wriggelsworth ✔ NO ✔ NO ✔ NO 3 NO flicts in declining to answer some Structural racism is woven into the Daniel Wells NO N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 0 NO questions. Most of the Republicans County Clerk (PICK 1 of 2) flunked it altogether. fabric of our society. Those who rec- Barb Byrum ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 6 ENGAGEMENT: Candidates who ognized this received one (1) point. DISMANTLE RACISM: Q: What does structural racism look like in Greater Lansing? responded to this survey (at least) A:“It takes the form of overtly racist policies, unfair or inequitable hiring expressed a willingness to engage Candidates who expressed a desire to dismantle structural racism practices, or more subtly, yet still as inexcusable, requirements like pol- in a conversation about racial jus- icies that disadvantage those who may not have ready access to trans- tice and social equity. For that, they received one (1) point. portation, or who may not have government-issued identification. It is each received one (1) point. ABOVE & BEYOND: This last redlining (including its legacy) or legislative districts that are carved out BLACK LIVES MATTER vs. ALL point was awarded subjectively. to limit minority representation. It is also found in pretrial incarceration, LIVES MATTER: Each candidate was The candidates who our editorial bond conditions, and sentencing guidelines that disproportionately asked to choose between “Black team felt went above and beyond punish minority communities more stringently than others.” Q: What types of solutions to structural racism do you bring to the table? Lives Matter” or “All Lives Matter” simple platitudes and listed spe- cific reforms for policies or pro- A: “I will be an advocate on behalf of those minority groups to end discriminatory hiring without explanation. Those that practices, to provide equitable health care to those communities that need it most, and clearly selected “Black Lives Matter” cedures that were actually aimed toward dismantling systemic racism ensure that everyone’s voice is heard through voter registration drives and voter educa- received one (1) point. tion in those communities that may be underserved and underrepresented in the halls EQUALITY vs. EQUITY: received an extra one (1) point. of power. I have also made unconscious bias training mandatory for all appointed staff Candidates were also asked to Contested races in which none and supervisors. When the situation with the pandemic improves, I plan to physically visit define the differences between of the candidates responded have communities with mobile office hours where those who need access are located. I will equality and equity. Equity involves been omitted from this listing. They continue to do everything in my power to break through barriers to make this process trying to understand and give peo- include: Ingham County drain com- better and more efficient for all. I will continue to participate in rallies and protests to register people to vote and increase access to the office by keeping an eye toward part- ple what they need to enjoy full, missioner and county commissioners for Districts 2 and 7; Aurelius nerships. I also intend to ensure that district lines are drawn fairly and give residents of all healthy lives. Equality, in contrast, races and ethnicities a voice on the Board of Commissioners.” aims to ensure that everyone gets Township supervisor and clerk; Whieatfiled Township supervisor; — Barb Byrum, Democratic Ingham County Clerk the same opportunities in order to Joseph Werner NO N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 0 NO enjoy full, healthy lives.

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