Rochester Community Calls for Action Against Systemic Racism Five Years After George Floyd's Death

Rochester Community Calls for Action Against Systemic Racism Five Years After George Floyd's Death

The Rochester community continues to emphasize the urgent need to confront and address systemic racism, a call that has grown more pronounced in light of the five-year anniversary of George Floyd's tragic death at the hands of Minneapolis police officers. Floyd's death not only catalyzed nationwide protests but also ignited a strong push for systemic change across various communities.

Walé Elegbede, President of the Rochester branch of the NAACP, articulated that while awareness of the issues surrounding systemic racism is prevalent, it is now essential for community members and leaders to translate that awareness into actionable steps. According to Elegbede, "That needs to come in terms of policies, that needs to come in terms of programs, you know that needs to come in terms of investments."

Community resident Shaketa Clark echoed this sentiment, highlighting the pivotal role parents and the broader community play in educating children about systemic issues. She stated, "It starts at home but the community is most helpful because our children are growing up in the community. What they don’t learn at home, they learn in the community."

The calls for action are met with contrasting opinions among Rochester residents regarding the progress made in the past five years. While Elegbede noted some advancements, particularly in police reform in Minneapolis, Clark presented a more skeptical view. She remarked, "Literally we were supposed to learn from this situation happening and I don’t feel like anyone has learned the importance of what took place."

The ongoing impact of George Floyd's death remains a poignant reminder of the work that still needs to be done in the Rochester community and beyond. The dialogue surrounding systemic racism insists that it is not enough to merely acknowledge the existence of these issues; proactive measures must be taken to foster genuine change.