Medias – Page 3 – Color Of Change

Archives: Medias

AMC Among First to Sign Up to Inclusion Rider Pushed by #ChangeHollywood

Three years after Frances McDormand mentioned the idea of an inclusion rider in her 2018 Oscars acceptance speech, a reimagined version has been launched. Color Of Change’s #ChangeHollywood joined Pearl Street Films and Endeavor Content to release an updated version. The new ‘n improved rider focuses on inclusive hiring, hiring targets, and resources to increase representation of women and people of color throughout Hollywood. All the tools are available at www.inclusionrider.org. COC President Rashad Robinson says, “So far, few executives, studios, productions and agencies in Hollywood have actually backed up their statements about racial equity with action. These crucial resources will help raise the industry’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility.”

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Activists Take Next Step in Push to Replace Minneapolis PD

A charter amendment to replace the Minneapolis Police Department is one step closer to going before voters in November. Yes 4 Minneapolis, a coalition of 20+ racial justice and community activist groups including Color Of Change, delivered 20,000 signatures to officials at City Hall. Their proposed amendment would replace the police department with a new Department of Public Safety and shift authority over police from the mayor to the City Council. They city is under pressure to overhaul policing since George Floyd was killed by Derek Chauvin in May 2020. Antonio Williams said he had spoken with many Minneapolis residents who experienced brutality, injustice and indifference at the hands of city police. “Give us a chance, give us a choice to choose something new that works for all people.”

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Biden’s Sky-High Promises on Racial Justice

After George Floyd, many Democratic voters and politicians found themselves getting a crash course in racial inequality. Biden, who was responsible for the 1994 crime bill that spurred mass incarceration, is now vowing to make confronting systemic racism and uplift Black people a tenet of his administration. Color Of Change President Rashad Robinson is quoted in this New York Times’ article on how Biden is evolving with the country when it comes to race and justice. “Biden is actually being Biden by being inside of all of the ways in which the current landscape is sending him messages. That is good, but I don’t want to be classifying this as some sort of out-front radical leadership. That would really not represent everything that could be possible if we leaned in more.” There’s still so much at stake from overhauling policing and investing in public safety to student loan forgiveness.

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Advancing Black Entrepreneurship Amid a Pandemic

Only 4% of Black-owned businesses in the U.S. survive past the startup stage, even though 20% of Black Americans start businesses, according to a new report by McKinsey and Company. The pandemic has forced many businesses to close their doors, and about 58% of Black-owned businesses were at risk of financial distress before the pandemic. This is consistent with what Color Of Change’s survey found last year: 40% of Black businesses said they could only last another six months, compared with 55% of their white business owner counterparts. The wealth gap, Color Of Change explains is reinforced by many factors from access to capital, bank loans, and relief programs like PPP that mean Black entrepreneurs have a much tougher time sustaining their businesses.

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As Big Corporations Strike a Pose for Racial Justice, They Keep on Funding the Police

Salon reports how corporations including AT&T, Target, and Starbucks have embraced racial justice rhetoric while continuing to funnel millions of dollars to police. While claiming to stand with Black employees, corporations pour money into law enforcement through police foundations. Because they are nonprofits, police foundations can raise unregulated slush funds from undisclosed sources, which they often use to buy special weapons and equipment not covered by city budgets. Color Of Change Vice President Arisha Hatch says, “Police foundations are really good at hiding what they’re actually spending their money on. These foundations exist completely off the books.” It’s a problem.

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A Surprise Ending for the Oscars’ Inclusive Night

Last year, the academy announced a plan requiring films to meet diversity criteria to be eligible for a best-picture nomination, starting in 2024. Still, those who have been critical of the way the film industry operates are not ready to heap too much praise on the academy. Rashad Robinson, behind Color Of Change’s #ChangeHollywood initiative is quoted. “What we have to constantly recognize is that an institution like the academy didn’t give anything to Black people. What the academy has done over the years is have a system and a set of rules that has stalled Black careers and prevented people from being fully seen. Now that they are working to make some changes, let’s acknowledge those changes but let’s not give them any awards that they haven’t earned.”

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‘Let This Be a Turning Point’: Chauvin Conviction Sparks Calls for ‘True Justice’

This is accountability, but not justice many have said in the wake of the guilty verdict against Derek Chauvin for killing George Floyd. Common Dreams surveyed leaders at 20 organizations fighting for change. Color Of Change President Rashad Robinson is quoted saying, “Nine minutes and 29 seconds will forever be supplanted in our hearts and memory… we use this moment to push for real change because the fight for accountability and justice in America is far from over. The Chauvin trial may be over, but what comes next will be the consequential moment in our history. We need to do more than raise our voices; we must demand action now.”

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Asian Americans Experienced Largest Rise in Severe Online Hate in 2020, Report Finds

A new survey by the Anti-defamation League reveals that Asian and Black people are experiencing serious increases in harassment online, while LGBTQ+ people face the highest rate. Color Of Change President Rashad Robinson said the results of the study were “unsurprising”, as it’s proven that online hate disproportionately affects communities of color. “For 5 years, Color Of Change has campaigned to bring attention to this growing threat, and we’ve implored Facebook to prioritize addressing the dangers of hate proliferating on their platform. At this point, only sweeping oversight and enforcement from the federal government will force Facebook to change its broken business model and violence-driven algorithm that incentivizes hate for profit.”

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RADIO INTERVIEW: Corporations & Voting Rights

Rashad Robinson, president of Color of Change, joins WNYC host Brian Lehrer to talks about how corporate America is reacting to legislation that restricts voting rights – in Georgia, Texas, and other swing states – and what COC members are doing about it. Rashad says, “Corporations play an outsized role in advocating the terms of our democracy… We are engaging in the free market the same way they do — by telling them that they can’t come for our money by day and take away our vote or make us unsafe by night.”

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What Derek Chauvin’s Guilty Verdict Means for the Future of Policing

CBS News explore what Chauvin’s historic conviction could mean for the future of policing and America’s commitment to reform. Many activists say the verdict would not have been possible without historic massive protests, which seriously shifted public opinion about police violence and abuse against Black people. Color Of Change President Rashad Robinson is quoted, “It’s not the verdict that creates change — it was change that created this verdict. I think the legacy of this trial is the proof that movements can work, community organizing and nonviolent action can work. So we have to learn from that and commit to taking this to the next level.”

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Fixing Policing Is a Long, Hard Slog

This NY Daily News article explains why it’ll take more than one conviction or a few reforms to transform policing and keep Black people safe. Changing police culture and creating real accountability is going to take the help of district attorneys according to Rashad Robinson, president of Color of Change. “There are 2,400 district attorneys all around the country; 80% of them run unopposed. Ninety percent of district attorneys right now are white. If we’re going to do any work to actually bring about true safety and justice, we have to change the policies, we have to change the practices, and we have to change the personnel. And that means that we have to build political power in order to achieve it.”

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After Chauvin’s Guilty Verdict: A Trial for American Policing, the Struggle for Public Trust Begins Anew

While Derek Chauvin was standing trial, new images of fatal police encounters, unjustly killing Black people in Chicago, Minnesota, and Ohio competed with the now-familiar video of George Floyd pleading for his life. Color Of Change President Rashad Robinson is quoted about what, if anything, can build trust in policing and how Color Of Change’s 7M members will continue to fight for true change. “When you amplify our message of justice and equity, decision makers take notice; when you stop funding police and their enablers, heads turn; and when you use your power to demand systemic change, Black people will be safe in our country.”

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