Opportunity:
Build an Anti-Racist Society

“The opposite of racist isn’t ‘not racist.’ It is ‘anti-racist’.”
— Author Ibram X. Kendi

The Issue

For far too long, the chains of racism have weighed down our nation. It's not just history; it's happening here and now, shaping our everyday lives. If we're truly fighting for an America for all, we can't just talk - we need to tear down these systemic barriers. It's about acknowledging where we've been, understanding our past, and pushing forward so that everyone, regardless of race, feels truly represented. We must work together to build a society that is actively anti-racist.

What I’ve Done So Far

The racial disparities I witnessed growing up ignited my passion for justice. At Catholic University, I fought to create its first NAACP chapter and continued fighting for justice throughout my career. On the Montgomery County Council, I introduced the CROWN Act to ban natural hair discrimination, and I introduced the Council's resolution declaring racism as a public health crisis. I also supported groundbreaking legislation to create the County's Office of Racial Equity & Social Justice and to require equity impact assessments for legislative action. My experience proves that confronting racism directly can create genuine and lasting change.

What I Will Do in the Senate

  • It's past time we recognize the undeniable: racism isn't just a social issue; it's a health crisis. The disparities in health outcomes, access to care, and life expectancy among communities of color are stark and undeniable. By officially recognizing racism as a public health crisis, we can begin the targeted, strategic action needed to mend our nation's wounds.

    The COVID-19 pandemic underscored a disturbing truth: communities of color face disproportionate challenges in health and well-being. These disparities in health outcomes, access to care, and life expectancy among communities of color are stark and undeniable. By declaring racism a public health crisis, we're not just pointing out a problem, we're calling for comprehensive strategies to address deeply entrenched inequities. This action is not symbolic — it's a commitment to realign our government and our health landscape to ensure every individual has access to the wellness and care they deserve.

  • Racial justice should not be left to chance. We must embed principles of equity and racial justice into the machinery of our federal government, ensuring that every policy, program, and initiative is viewed through a lens of fairness and inclusivity.

    I’ll support initiatives in this area to: create a permanent Federal entity to advance racial justice, require all Federal agencies to conduct racial equity audits, require every significant federal bill and regulation to include a racial impact statement, recalibrate Federal grant distribution to consider racial equity; and require federal employees to undergo racial equity and bias training.

  • The weight of history is profound, and while we cannot change the past, we can acknowledge it, learn from it, and take steps to mitigate its enduring impacts. A national truth commission can help us collectively understand and recognize the full extent of these historical injustices and use reparations as a pathway to genuine healing. Together, we can confront our past and build a just future that values every individual.