Racial Justice

10/23/2020_RacialJustice

Lexington ### protest nats from chants to change.

It's what some members of the lexington community have been calling for for months... if not years.

O "roszalyn akins, co-chair: this is an opportunity for us to make a better lexington."

Friday the mayor's commission made up of 5 subcommittess for a total of 70 different lexingtonians presented recommendations for how lexington can do better...this move spearheaded by gerald smith and roszalyn akins...i asked them how feasible these recommandations are.

"monica voice: so it's fair to say this is not just a wish list?

Roszalyn akins, co- chair: this is very much feasible actions, this is not a wish list."

The 68 page report covers education and economic opportunity...housi ng and gentrification...hea lth disparities....racial equity and... a big one considering the death of breonna taylor...law enforcement justice and acc oountability.

The latter something lexington protest leader sarah williams has been calling on specifically.

"sarah williams: this is a major major step in the right direction it is definitely a win."

A win seeing....25 of 54 recommendations in the law enforcement category...including civilian participation on a disciplinary review board, mandatory body cameras, and changes in police contracts known as a collective bargaining agreement.

"sarah williams: it's a major deal but we also have to ensure that whether it's something we're depending on the mayor to act on, our council to act on, or funding is needed that nows the time for the biggest follow through."

Mayor gorton saying she's committing to it making things happen...making the racial justice and equality commission permanent.

Another big topic on many people's minds...health.

I talked to stephen overstreet who helped on the health disparities sub-committee.

"stephen: i brought the aispect of being an actual community member from lexington from the hood."

A voice that made the recommenda tions in the health context to a realistic truth...overstreet goes on to say cultural competency a major theme in health..touches all parts of life.

I "stephen: the biggest issue we have is understanding each other and knowing who each other are."

And when i asked sarah williams...a person who has been critical of the city and putting the pressure on to see change...she says she's grateful for the work that it took to get here.

"sarah: they were faced with acknowledging the hard truths, they ensured that they acknowledged the hard truth."

Monica harkins abc 36 news.

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