Medias – Page 8 – Color Of Change

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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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VIDEO: Why Policing’s ‘Bad Apple’ Argument Has to End with Derek Chauvin

Color Of Change President Rashad Robinson appeared on MSNBC to discuss police reform. While Minnesota prosecutors broke “blue wall” of silence by having police testify against Derek Chauvin at his trial, these police witnesses are still resisting real accountability, he explains. In essence what the “bad apple” defense is doing is defending the policing establishment by acting like Chauvin is an outlier, whereas he is representative of what’s wrong with police departments across the country. “This is a systemic issue so it demands a systemic solution… Derek Chauvin just did what he did that day with his hands in his pockets, his sunglasses on, and we’re expected to believe this wasn’t part of an unwritten culture of a police department where Derek Chauvin had repeated violations, repeated complaints and nothing was done. This is what we see time and time again.”

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The Testimony by Police Brass at Derek Chauvin’s Trial Is Unprecedented

An unprecedented lineup of law enforcement officers, including the Minneapolis police chief, took the stand at the murder trial of Derek Chauvin, denouncing his behavior. As rare as it is for police-involved deaths to lead to a criminal trial, let alone a conviction, high up cops coming forward to testify against one of their own is even rarer. The piercing of the “blue wall of silence” is noteworthy. But it’s too soon to say whether this will chip away at the deference given to police in cases. Color Of Change President Rashad Robinson is wary. He believes Minneapolis police are using a “bad apple strategy” to separate the department from Chauvin rather than addressing the systemic issues fueling police brutality. “Derek Chauvin saw cameras in his face and did not flinch because this is policing in America.”

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The Death of George Floyd Reignited a Movement. What Happens Now?

Last summer, calls for racial justice penetrated every aspect of America on a scale not seen since the civil rights movement in the 1960s. Derek Chauvin’s conviction on two counts of murder earlier this month brought solace to activists. But for many Black Americans, real change feels elusive, as killings of Black men by police have continued. Color Of Change President Rashad Robinson puts the verdict in perspective. “We will forever look back at this moment in American history. George Floyd’s death created a new energy around making changes, though it’s not clear how lasting they will be. His death pushed racial justice to the forefront…. But we must remember this is about making Chauvin accountable and making systemic changes.”

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Color Of Change Says Golden Globes Symbolize Hollywood’s Broken Promises On Diversity

COC President Rashad Robinson writes about Hollywood’s failure to make good on its promises on inclusion. “This week we are reminded that Hollywood, despite its calls for change, continues to reinforce systems that overlook Black people’s creative luminosity in favor of the status quo. After the Golden Globe nominations and egregious snubs of Black creators and actors, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the group responsible for choosing honorees, confirmed that it has zero Black members…. Despite the momentum and a year of particularly brilliant work by Black creatives, little has shifted. Removing barriers for Black people to produce and share content must be accompanied by Black people being rewarded for success — in terms of pay equity and credit, and yes, awards.”

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The Black in Fashion Council Has Set Up a Road Map for Real Change in the Industry

The Black In Fashion Council was launched in July to propel the advancement of Black people in fashion and beauty. Now they’ve set out a plan of action. #ChangeFashion includes a roadmap and resources for racial equity in the fashion industry. Their statement says, “The goal of #ChangeFashion is to chart a course for industry change, and partner with executives, influencers and talent to make change a reality. It is a collaboration between those working for change on the inside of the industry, such as the Black in Fashion Council, and a powerful force for racial justice advocacy on the outside: Color Of Change. We can and must transform the fashion world as we know it, and make fashion a positive force for good—for everyone.”

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The Fashion World Promised More Diversity

The New York Times works to track progress in an industry where Black representation has been rare. They asked 64 brands, 15 department stores, and fashion magazines questions about the number of Black people on their executive team, boards, and staff—as well as in their ad campaigns and on their runways, shelves and magazine covers. The stats, and responses from Black creatives in fashion, show that the industry has a long way to go to increase representation, value Black talent, and avoid tokenizing Black models. That’s why Color Of Chang joined with the Black in Fashion Council, IMG joined, and supermodel Joan Smalls to launch #ChangeFashion, a racial justice initiative to transform the industry.

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New Instagram Filter Lets You Erect Monuments to Civil Rights Activists

Last spring, our nation began a long overdue conversation over the hundreds of Confederate statues and monuments across the country. Now we’re tackling a new question: who deserves to be remembered? The Pedestal Project is using augmented reality to honor 3 civil rights leaders: John Lewis, Alicia Garza, and Chelsea Miller. On Instagram, users can choose from a gallery of statues to project the image in the real world and hear a message from the activists. Color Of Change President Rashad Robinson is quoted: “In their time, white nationalist officials erected statues of Confederate leaders for a reason – to send a message about who should dominate this country, and to put Black people in our place. It’s not enough to remove them, we must replace them with symbols of a just vision of America.”

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Ahmaud Arbery’s Death Sparked Some Policy Change, But 1 Year Later His Family Still Awaits Justice

One year later, justice for Ahmaud Arbery remains elusive–even with leadership changes in Georgia. Color Of Change President Rashad Robinson says the justice system is unequal and has historically allowed white people to get away with killing Black people. He says the nation needs more policies that ensure accountability for every case involving racist violence and more investment in Black communities. “When the killer is white and the victim is Black in communities around the country, justice isn’t served,” Robinson said. “There is nothing new about what happened to Ahmaud Arbery.”

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