Every week, Virginia’s 1st Congressional District Progressives poses a question to the Democratic candidates running for the U.S. House of Representatives (VA-01). This week’s question: “Given evidence that the KKK is recruiting in counties in District 1, how could you provide support to counter that as a Congressional Representative?” This is in response to the Westmoreland News publishing a Ku Klux Klan recruitment flyer on its front page.
Let’s not sugarcoat it – the KKK is terrifying. Even in its modern iteration, the new order still reminds us of the violent terror inflicted upon millions of non-white, non-Protestant Christian and foreign-born Americans. Their presence, although protected under the First Amendment, still raises concern for public safety in our communities.
Denouncing acts of violence, hate and bigotry from white supremacists and Nazi-ideologues is the right thing any decent human being would do. It’s something any smart politician would do.
But the real question is this: How do we ensure our congressional representatives do more than just denounce hate? What will our leaders do to protect all peoples regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, country of origin, disability or class.
The fight for equity begins with an acknowledgment that a problem exists. The remedy for racism is not colorblindness. And it takes more than blanket statements about diversity and inclusion to combat discrimination. We must look at the whole system and the laws that don’t protect our citizens.
We counter the KKK and white supremacy by passing laws and adopting policies that uplift everyone so that people can pursue the job - the career – of their choosing, can live in safe and affordable housing and go see a doctor when they are sick. We must get to work and end the senseless school-to-prison pipeline once and for all. We must ensure families seeking a new life in America are not inhumanely exploited for labor. We must ensure there are legal protections for the LGBTQ communities. We must finally acknowledge that even environmental policy carries the taint of bias and ensure that low income families have clean air and water like those in affluent neighborhoods.
Leadership brings about systemic changes. Rep. John Lewis helped end legalized racial segregation in the United States. Senator Tammy Duckworth is leading the charge to safeguard accessibility for Americans with disabilities. And Gabrielle Giffords is fighting to save lives from gun violence.
I do not pretend to put myself in the same league as these great Americans, but I know all too well about prejudice and bias. When I take to the House floor as your congresswoman and speak about equality and opportunity for everyone, I will do so as someone who has felt the sting of prejudice and had to deal with its repercussions. I have fought my way to where I am today. But that fight was only made possible because I surrounded myself with wonderful people who supported me day by day – sometimes even hour by hour – through that fight. But I know not everyone is as lucky and blessed as I have been. And honestly, overcoming obstacles of prejudice, bias and hate shouldn't be predicated on luck. Those barriers shouldn't exist at all.
As your congresswoman I will fight for equal pay for equal work. I will implement programs that gives our kids the skills needed to enter the workforce. I will find pathways to create an economy and healthcare system that works for everyone, not just corporations. And I will support a new Universal Equal Rights Amendment that would make clear that any distinction that can be used to divide us can no longer be valid for the purposes of treatment different than others around us.
The malignant effect of any hate group is the destruction of cooperation, helpfulness and love in a community where that hate resides. Their goal is to plant discord, fear and intolerance. We must fight it with education and engaged citizenship.
We need to build coalitions with faith alliances, schools, businesses, civic groups, elected officials and concerned citizens. The efforts to recruit new Klan members is an opportunity to bridge the gap between neighbors and law enforcement and people you normally don’t engage with. It’s a homegrown problem that requires we reduce fears and increase community involvement to disrupt their agenda.
You can be assured that for the sake of my children and for yours, I will not be silent.
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