URGENT: BIDEN’S PLAN TO ROOT OUT SYSTEMIC RACISM
Jump to today’s actions:
Background
On Election Day, Barack Obama said: “Today, we decide as a nation who were really are.” The verdict: almost half the voters favor, arguably, the most racist American president in modern history.
Trump stoked racism to pit Americans against each other. It worked so well because racism is deeply embedded in America.
Thousands of studies reveal Blacks live in a more brutal America than whites:
Inadequate schools, mandatory sentencing guidelines, and bank lending practices result in higher unemployment, lower wages, and a large and widening wealth gap for Blacks compared to whites.
Racism results in higher rates of infant mortality, deaths from heart disease and stroke, and shorter lifespans for Black Americans. Today, Black people are twice as likely to die from Covid than whites.
Black men are 2.5 times more likely than whites to be killed by police, and of those fatally shot by police, Black people are twice as likely to be unarmed.
Racism nearly toppled our democracy. And as Biden said Saturday: “It’s time to root out systemic racism.”
Of all the things that we can do to shield democracy from the next wannabe dictator, making America an anti-racist nation is imperative.
1. Call the Senate.
Script Oregon Senators
SEN. MERKLEY: Portland office: 503-326-3386 | D.C. office: 202-224-3753
My name is [--] and I'm a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
We almost lost our democracy to Trump inflaming racism. Of all the things that we can do to shield democracy from the next would-be dictator, making America an anti-racist nation is imperative. Start by:
- Championing the John Lewis Voting Rights Act.
- Provide relief for those struggling economically from Covid.
Fight against police brutality and for criminal justice reform.
SEN. WYDEN: Portland office: 503-326-7525 | D.C. office: 202-224-5244
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
We almost lost our democracy to Trump inflaming racism. Of all the things that we can do to shield democracy from the next would-be dictator, making America an anti-racist nation is imperative. Start by:
- Championing the John Lewis Voting Rights Act.
- Provide relief for those struggling economically from Covid.
- Fight against police brutality and for criminal justice reform.
Script for Republican Senators
D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].
We almost lost our democracy to Trump inflaming racism. Of all the things that we can do to shield democracy from the next would-be dictator, making America an anti-racist nation is imperative. Start by:
- Championing the John Lewis Voting Rights Act.
- Provide relief for those struggling economically from Covid.
- Fight against police brutality and for criminal justice reform.
2. Call the House.
Script for Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01)
Oregon office: 503-469-6010 | DC office: 202-225-0855
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
We almost lost our democracy to Trump inflaming racism. Of all the things that we can do to shield democracy from the next would-be dictator, making America an anti-racist nation is imperative. Start by:
- Championing the John Lewis Voting Rights Act.
- Provide relief for those struggling economically from Covid.
- Fight against police brutality and for criminal justice reform.
Script for Greg Walden (OR-02)
Medford office: 541-776-4646 | DC office: 202-225-6730
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
We almost lost our democracy to Trump inflaming racism. Of all the things that we can do to shield democracy from the next would-be dictator, making America an anti-racist nation is imperative. Start by:
- Championing the John Lewis Voting Rights Act.
- Provide relief for those struggling economically from Covid.
- Fight against police brutality and for criminal justice reform.
Script for Earl Blumenauer (OR-03)
Oregon office: 503-231-2300 | DC office: 202-225-4811
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
We almost lost our democracy to Trump inflaming racism. Of all the things that we can do to shield democracy from the next would-be dictator, making America an anti-racist nation is imperative. Start by:
- Championing the John Lewis Voting Rights Act.
- Provide relief for those struggling economically from Covid.
- Fight against police brutality and for criminal justice reform.
Script for Peter DeFazio (OR-04)
Eugene office: 541-465-6732 | DC office: 202-225-6416
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
We almost lost our democracy to Trump inflaming racism. Of all the things that we can do to shield democracy from the next would-be dictator, making America an anti-racist nation is imperative. Start by:
- Championing the John Lewis Voting Rights Act.
- Provide relief for those struggling economically from Covid.
- Fight against police brutality and for criminal justice reform.
Script for Kurt Schrader (OR-05)
Salem office: 503-588-9100 | DC office: 202-225-5711
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
We almost lost our democracy to Trump inflaming racism. Of all the things that we can do to shield democracy from the next would-be dictator, making America an anti-racist nation is imperative. Start by:
- Championing the John Lewis Voting Rights Act.
- Provide relief for those struggling economically from Covid.
- Fight against police racism and for criminal justice reform.
3. Save the Senate: GA Run-Offs in January.
Georgia on your mind? We know you're excited to get to work on the upcoming Senate elections in Georgia. Please be patient while the campaigns regroup for the run-off!
We expect that Vote Forward letters will be available around the end of November, and Reclaim Our Vote is preparing for both postcards & phone banking. While you wait, you can donate at https://secure.actblue.com/donate/georgiasenate or go directly to
Sources:
'Hate speech' a common theme of Trump's presidency, critics say
26 charts that show how systemic racism is in the US - Business Insider
Racism in America: Resources to help you understand a history of inequality - The Washington Post
The American Public Health Assoication: Black Lives Matter
COVID deaths reveal how racism still has its grip on America
Race and Criminal Justice | American Civil Liberties Union
Police brutality, systemic racism, and a hidden ideology helped shape American policing - Vox
What the data say about police brutality and racial bias — and which reforms might work
Debtors' Prison | The Marshall Project
There’s racial bias in our police systems. Here’s the overwhelming proof. - Washington Post
Extensive Data Shows Punishing Reach of Racism for Black Boys - The New York Times
Obama Election Day, video: (20+) Watch | Facebook
