My Reflections
By De’Vonna Pittman - Director of Inclusive Growth
What a year it has been.
A pandemic, seemingly endless racism, police brutality, and poverty uncovered and snatched up from its roots for us all to see.
Racism requires you move through life in either a very oblivious manner or a very present manner. As an African American woman, I am never able to forget that I am African American, and that some may see that as a problem. I am reminded of this when I walk into a store, restaurant, places of business, or even when I am simply sitting with my own thoughts.
This past year, I have done significant soul searching about how I plan to show up in conversations about race, equity, racism, and systemic racism.
I was born and raised in poverty. All my teachers were African American, the policemen were African American, and the grocers were African American. It wasn’t until I moved to Minnesota that I realized how real racism was and how it wasn’t just a matter of people blatantly discriminating. It was also about how leaders determined what sort of resources would land in what communities.
In retrospect, all of this has framed my thinking and has been the impetus for why I decided to commit my life more towards fighting racism and closing racial wealth gaps. We must have shared accountability, and checks and balances with leaders, organizations, and community.
I believe that with the right supports in place and lawmakers who understand that structural racism is the reason for our current state, we can get on track to closing racial wealth gaps. Then, and only then, can we build an economy that works for everyone.
ABOUT THE REFLECTIONS CAMPAIGN
After a year of reckoning with the ravages of racism in our schools, businesses, neighborhoods, and halls of justice, we see clearly that racism is deeply woven into every fiber of our society and that the consequences have touched each person in America. We see the depths of division and racism and the imperative to work in new ways to address very old problems.
The Center for Economic Inclusion invited leaders at all levels and from across sectors to share their reflections of the past year; several members of the Center’s staff have also participated. We wanted to learn how they have reckoned with racism over the past year; what is different in the places where they live, work, and play; what they think the the future holds; and what they think it will take to reimagine and build an economy that truly works for everyone.
We thank the leaders who answered our call to participate in this campaign. All week long, we will share their powerful reflections, in their own words.
> To engage with our entire Reckoning to Rise Together series, click here.