A time of listening, learning, and healing
June 8, 2020
Hearts were broken – once again – after the killings of Ahmaud Arbrey in Georgia, Breonna Taylor in Louisville, and George Floyd in Minneapolis. We must come together to address the injustices that Black Americans continue to experience every day at the hands of systemic racism.
A Conversation About Healing and Change
We must actively listen, learn, and put hope into action for change.
That's why last week, I held a racial justice listening session with leaders in the Black community. Change starts with listening, acknowledging and understanding the problem, and taking decisive action to fix it.
Click on the image above to hear from leaders in our community about how we move forward together. Included in the conversation was:
We must actively listen, learn, and put hope into action for change.
That's why last week, I held a racial justice listening session with leaders in the Black community. Change starts with listening, acknowledging and understanding the problem, and taking decisive action to fix it.
Click on the image above to hear from leaders in our community about how we move forward together. Included in the conversation was:
- Jarvis Crawford, manager at James O. Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center
- Executive Pastor Tricina Sheppard, Desert Hot Springs Word of Life Fellowship
- Jan Pye, Desert Hot Springs councilmember
- Dixie Miller, Desert Highland/Gateway Community president
- Waymond Fermon, Indio City councilmember
- Troy Strange, director of Planning and Public Works at Desert Recreation District
- Bishop Kaphyan Sheppard, Desert Hot Springs Word of Life Fellowship
- Pastor Rodney Croom, Palm Springs First Baptist Church
- Pastor James Baylark, Desert Hot Springs First Baptist Church
- Senior Pastor Schezerone Carter, Palm Springs Ajalon Missionary Baptist Church
- Debbie Franklin, former Banning City mayor and councilmember
- Master Sergeant (Ret) Edward Brackins, Air Force JROTC, Beaumont Unified School District
- Zjarvre Crawford, college student
I am so grateful for each person's words, leadership, and wisdom in our heartfelt, impactful, and real conversation this week.
Through listening intently, uplifting the voices of the Black community, and working together, we can bring unity and end the systemic racism that plagues our nation still today.
Together, I know we can.
Through listening intently, uplifting the voices of the Black community, and working together, we can bring unity and end the systemic racism that plagues our nation still today.
Together, I know we can.
Sincerely,
Raul Ruiz, M.D.
Member of Congress