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Friday, March 29, 2024
March 29, 2024

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Letter: Racism sewn into the fabric

By Sue Marshall, President of Friends of Clark County, Ridgefield
Published: July 5, 2020, 6:00am

Thank you, Sheriff Atkins, for your decision to remove the “thin blue line” and “blue lives matter” images on public property. You listened and responded to concerns raised by our community.

And, thank you to the four county councilors for their letter in support of Sheriff Atkins’ action. It is only in listening to each other’s perspectives that we stand a chance to dismantle systemic racism.

Alarming in the council’s deliberations was the assertion from Clark County Council Chair Eileen Quiring that she does not believe systemic racism exists in Clark County and would not sign the letter. One need only look at the data of disparities based on the color of one’s skin — education, health, life expectancy, economic mobility, and housing choices.

Systemic racism is not a matter of personal prejudices, but rather it has been sewn into the fabric of our society. It is a legacy we must acknowledge in order to change.

Let’s work together to remove barriers and encourage diverse participation in policy decisions so that we may arrive at equitable solutions. It is these public policies that shape the landscape of the county and determine who gets to live where and have access to what resources.

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