Today marks Juneteenth — dating from June 19, 1865, the holiday is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. Juneteenth is known as Independence Day for African Americans and is celebrated approximately two weeks before the Fourth of July, the day traditionally known as Independence Day. But, it is important to remember that on the first Fourth of July, in 1776, not all Americans were free. Juneteenth is a day for celebrate the many accomplishments and contributions of African American people throughout history, but it is also a day to reflect on the fact that too many people of color are still oppressed and enslaved. It is a day to recommit ourselves to justice and to a future where everyone is truly free.
This year’s Juneteenth feels particularly poignant as we wrestle with freshly ignited fury over racial injustice and systemic inequities. The COVID-19 pandemic has compounded existing imbalances in our county and disproportionately impacted the health and economic well-being of our communities of color. This is why it is more important than ever to make meaningful changes that will give everyone the opportunity to share in the prosperity of San Mateo County.
The Board of Supervisors made 2020 the year to focus on equity. Several months ago, the board retained the Social Progress Index firm to create an equity index for every census track in San Mateo County.
How does this work? A Social Progress Index quantifies what really matters to people. Do people have enough to eat and are receiving basic medical care? Do people feel safe? Is no one excluded from the opportunity to be a contributing member of society?
The index helps a community understand how individuals are really living and who is being left behind. With that knowledge, policymakers can allocate resources to where they are needed most.
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This will be the first time any county in the United States has endeavored to do this and it will help provide needed data to make funding and policy decisions through an anti-racist equity lens.
Additionally, we will look for better ways to connect with and expand our local small minority-owned businesses. We are currently developing a strategy to make sure these businesses, especially in these difficult economic times, not only survive but thrive into the future.
The board president will also soon announce a new “Office of Equity and Social Justice.” This will be an external facing division in the County Manager’s Office that will review through various lenses the development of policy and budgets through equity, social progress and justice.
In the defining moments before us, let us seize on the opportunity to build a better tomorrow — a tomorrow when we confront inequity head on, by using an anti-racist lens to eliminate explicit and implicit racial injustices, inequities and bias. The May 25, 2020, death of George Floyd was truly a dark day for the United States. Moving forward, let’s make every day brighter for all and become part of the solution.
Warren Slocum is the president of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, representing District 4. Mike Callagy is the county manager for San Mateo County.
Yes! When Supervisor Slocum announced that equity, well being of all who live and work here, would be a cornerstone of the work our county would be doing, I was so proud to also serve this county on the LGBTQ Commission. The commitment to measure what really matters to people and to then take action to make meaningful change are a wonderful combination. We know in our hearts that the playing field is not level by any standard. Let's work together to right the wrongs of the past so that our future, our mutual sharing of this wonderful community, can be equally bountiful, safe, and healthy for all.
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(1) comment
Yes! When Supervisor Slocum announced that equity, well being of all who live and work here, would be a cornerstone of the work our county would be doing, I was so proud to also serve this county on the LGBTQ Commission. The commitment to measure what really matters to people and to then take action to make meaningful change are a wonderful combination. We know in our hearts that the playing field is not level by any standard. Let's work together to right the wrongs of the past so that our future, our mutual sharing of this wonderful community, can be equally bountiful, safe, and healthy for all.
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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.