Our community’s commitment contract
“If not us, then who? If not now, then when?”
–U.S. Representative and civil rights icon John Lewis
COMMITMENT CONTRACT
When bestowing the presidential medal of freedom on U.S. Representative John Lewis in 2011, President Barack Obama said:
“There’s a quote inscribed over a doorway in Nashville, where students first refused to leave lunch counters 51 years ago this February. And the quote said, “If not us, then who? If not now, then when?” It’s a question John Lewis has been asking his entire life. It’s what led him back to the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma after he had already been beaten within an inch of his life days before. ...Generations from now, when parents teach their children what is meant by courage, the story of John Lewis will come to mind—an American who knew that change could not wait for some other person or some other time; whose life is a lesson in the fierce urgency of now.”
John Lewis was about commitment and action to doing what is right. Eradicating racism is right. Spreading anti-racism is right. If you share John Lewis's values, COMMIT NOW and join ARCC!
By joining the Anti-Racism Commitment Coalition (ARCC), I commit to:
Voting against and publicly challenging all current public officials and prospective candidates who support racism and hate (directly or indirectly), remain silent, refuse to stand against it, and/or do not actively support anti-racism, and convincing those in my network to do the same.
Transforming myself and people in my network to become anti-racist and holding myself and those in my network accountable for that.
Continuously educating myself about the true history of the United States and its people (not the Euro-centric version) and work to ensure that the nation's real history is finally reflected in our schools, books, and curricula.
Always speaking out about racism and taking action to eradicate it, no matter the audience.
Never allowing racist dog whistles and racially charged code words (like inner city, thugs, rioters, illegals) to go unchallenged, and calling them what they are: racist language.
Always voting, and casting my votes for candidates who stand for anti-racism and against candidates who are openly racist or just remain silent. I will use my vote and influence to rid communities of racist memorials (statues, names of schools and streets, etc.
Using my money as a tool for promoting anti-racism by supporting businesses that publicly take action to drive anti-racism and boycotting businesses that promote racism and hate.
Publicly supporting ARCC by displaying my picture and commitment statement on the Our people page, which will inspire others to join our coalition.