The San Mateo branch of the NAACP recognizes both the triumphs and uncorrected struggles of the Black community in our county and beyond. We celebrate the achievements of Black Americans and their invaluable contributions to our shared American history, including the economic foundational building of America and serving in every American military war/conflict dating back to the Revolutionary War. We must now work to fully execute the 13th Amendment that also empowered the government to end any lingering badges and incidents of slavery. Existing systemic inequities that continue to persist; especially in the realms of health care, housing, education and political representation are badges and incidents of slavery.
For about 90% of our country’s existence and for 70% of our county’s existence, legal public policy perpetuated and created new iterations of these badges and incidents of slavery resulting in the maldistribution of wealth and resources from the Black community. The time is now for harm elimination.
Health and economic disparities: A crisis we must address
In San Mateo County, African Americans face disproportionate rates of chronic illnesses such as asthma and diabetes. Black infants continue to experience higher mortality rates than their peers, a stark reminder that access to equitable health care remains elusive. These health disparities are not coincidences; they are the result of systemic inequities exacerbated by economic inequality, environmental injustice and inadequate access to quality medical care.
Political engagement and the threat to civil rights
We, American civilians, who fought vigilantly for civil rights that benefit everyone today. Whether you arrived 400 years ago or yesterday, we continue to fight for your sustained progress and refuse efforts to roll back hard-fought civil rights gains. We see a resurgence of white supremacist tactics that not only disproportionately affect Black people but other non-Black communities. These tactics have a deleterious effect on our democratic principles, for which so many have fought and died. Stand with the NAACP in advocating for policies that protect our civilian rights.
The case for restorative justice: A national and local imperative
The 350 years of intergenerational maldistribution of wealth and resources from the Black community is the case for restorative justice. Reparative justice is about eliminating the badges and incidents of slavery through truth, reconciliation and the systemic dismantling of racial disparities. We are at a pivotal moment in the fight for racial justice. The California Reparations Task Force issued a report outlining harms and remedies, and Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley’s recent introduction of H.R. 40, a bill that would establish a commission to study restorative justice, both mark a significant step forward in acknowledging and addressing the lasting ill effects of systemic racism. The San Mateo NAACP fully supports this effort and calls on our local leaders to engage in meaningful reparatory justice initiatives.
While we commend the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors for its commitment to advancing restorative justice, more must be done. We urge the board to take bolder steps by forming a formal committee dedicated to addressing these harms locally. Our neighbors to the north and south have taken strides in this direction; San Mateo County must not lag behind.
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Standing together against hate and injustice
Recent events remind us that racism is not a relic of the past. The vile, anti-Black racist attack on Carolyn Hoskins at the Domini Hoskins Black History Museum and Learning Center is a painful indication that hate, and injustice still exist within our community. More troubling is the slow and inadequate response from local law enforcement. When acts of racism and threats against community leaders occur, swift and decisive action is essential.
Our community and city and county officials must take a firm stance against anti-Black hate. The Domini Hoskins Black History Museum is a beacon of education, resilience and empowerment.
Where do we go from here?
Dr. King once asked, “Where do we go from here?”; a question as relevant today as it was in 1967. We must decide whether we will allow complacency to hinder progress or whether we will push forward with determination. The answer is clear: We must go forward, together.
San Mateo County can be a model for justice and equity. However, it requires deliberate steps to dismantle systemic racism, protect voting rights, and commit to reparatory justice. The struggle for civil rights is not his-story; it is our present story, and it demands our collective action.
Please join us and let’s move beyond celebration and into action. Let’s honor the past by shaping a just and equitable future for all.
Cecilia Taylor is 1st vice president, Kalimah Salahuddin is 2nd vice president and Tullus Miller is 3rd vice president, NAACP San Mateo.
If the NAACP is concerned about infant mortality rate, they should probably look in the mirror and realize that 70% of black pregnancies end up aborted. Since Roe versus Wade, millions of black children have been aborted. There’s no such thing as lack of access to healthcare, healthcare is free to those who have little to no income, all payed for by taxpayers. The only way for black families is to catch up, is if they started following the formula set forth by Mitt Romney, start with a two parrot household, one man and one woman,. If a child, attends high school and graduates, attends a school or college, gains a job, prior to having children or getting married, there’s a 90% chance that child will never live in poverty. If one element is missing, there’s a 70% chance that child will live in poverty. It’s time to put all your excuses aside, and start following formulas that will lead to success. No amount of money or whining will help.
"Not So Common" - Your response demonstrates a limited understanding of the experiences of African Americans. Additionally, the use of inaccurate statistical information appears intended to mislead and provoke rather than inform.
The NAACP has long lost the representation of our Black population. Its leadership is mired in self pity. The inexcusable vandalism at the museum is not indicative of our general population's mentality. What is the NAACP actually doing for its constituents other than race baiting?
North Central and Shoreview are two San Mateo Equity Focus Areas meaning according to the Equity Plan children here MUST have bike lanes and Safe-Routes-To-School here.
It is an Equity Focus Area because it has been underserved and neglected by previous and current leaders - including 3-times Mayor Claire Mack and Assembly Member Diane Papan, who helped widening the highway going right through this neighborhood. Both helped increasing air pollution, noise pollution, car violence, childhood asthma, and decreasing mental and physical health in this neighborhood.
In 2022, 3 men finally brought some justice and equity to North Central kids by approving bike lanes on Humboldt Street.
It was an All-Diversity, BIPOC city council - including Nicole Fernandez - that took them away again - the opponent group was included two black home owners who have no problem neglecting households with no cars, rent-burdened households, Safe-Routes-To-School, and single mothers - the group closest to the poverty line.
How is it supposed to get better if affluent BIPOC council members are discriminating against low-income BIPOC residents? Nicole Fernandez is proud about being mentored by Josh Becker. Which must lead to the question, who mentored Senator Josh Becker on these things?
"I would like to express my gratitude to the authors of this op-ed for their thoughtful and insightful reflection on Black History Month. Their work not only honors the past but also serves as a powerful call to action for the future."
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(6) comments
If the NAACP is concerned about infant mortality rate, they should probably look in the mirror and realize that 70% of black pregnancies end up aborted. Since Roe versus Wade, millions of black children have been aborted. There’s no such thing as lack of access to healthcare, healthcare is free to those who have little to no income, all payed for by taxpayers. The only way for black families is to catch up, is if they started following the formula set forth by Mitt Romney, start with a two parrot household, one man and one woman,. If a child, attends high school and graduates, attends a school or college, gains a job, prior to having children or getting married, there’s a 90% chance that child will never live in poverty. If one element is missing, there’s a 70% chance that child will live in poverty. It’s time to put all your excuses aside, and start following formulas that will lead to success. No amount of money or whining will help.
"Not So Common" - Your response demonstrates a limited understanding of the experiences of African Americans. Additionally, the use of inaccurate statistical information appears intended to mislead and provoke rather than inform.
The NAACP has long lost the representation of our Black population. Its leadership is mired in self pity. The inexcusable vandalism at the museum is not indicative of our general population's mentality. What is the NAACP actually doing for its constituents other than race baiting?
Probably building bigger homes for themselves the same way BLM has done.
North Central and Shoreview are two San Mateo Equity Focus Areas meaning according to the Equity Plan children here MUST have bike lanes and Safe-Routes-To-School here.
It is an Equity Focus Area because it has been underserved and neglected by previous and current leaders - including 3-times Mayor Claire Mack and Assembly Member Diane Papan, who helped widening the highway going right through this neighborhood. Both helped increasing air pollution, noise pollution, car violence, childhood asthma, and decreasing mental and physical health in this neighborhood.
In 2022, 3 men finally brought some justice and equity to North Central kids by approving bike lanes on Humboldt Street.
It was an All-Diversity, BIPOC city council - including Nicole Fernandez - that took them away again - the opponent group was included two black home owners who have no problem neglecting households with no cars, rent-burdened households, Safe-Routes-To-School, and single mothers - the group closest to the poverty line.
How is it supposed to get better if affluent BIPOC council members are discriminating against low-income BIPOC residents? Nicole Fernandez is proud about being mentored by Josh Becker. Which must lead to the question, who mentored Senator Josh Becker on these things?
"I would like to express my gratitude to the authors of this op-ed for their thoughtful and insightful reflection on Black History Month. Their work not only honors the past but also serves as a powerful call to action for the future."
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Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.