Action towards progress was the unofficial theme of New Mexico’s 2016 Anti-Racism Day, held in the Capitol’s Rotunda, on Wednesday. The celebration was proclaimed by Gov. Susana Martinez earlier this year, and was organized by the New Mexico Health Equity Working Group (NMHEWG).
The Roundhouse had a noticeable energy as those in attendance filled the second floor, where event speakers would discuss the importance of the day. Hakim Bellamy, a UNM alum and Albuquerque Poet Laureate, was the Master of Ceremonies.
“Often times when we’re talking about racism we’re asking for large scale actions. A rally, a march on Washington, some sort of piece of national legislation policy like the civil rights amendment,” Bellamy said. “When we’re talking here in New Mexico at the Roundhouse about Anti-Racism Day, we’re talking about things we can do.”
He said such undertakings don’t have to be massive to have an impact, especially when such tasks are about whole populations and not just individuals. He cited hiring disparities and resource allocation and some issues that need to be addressed.
“We know that that’s happening and we can alleviate it by doing little things within state government, within certain offices, within certain cabinets,” he said. “How do we shift a few things in what we’re already doing to make things more equitable for all people?”
While Bellamy and other speakers at the event urged those in attendance to act against racism on a personal level, the goal of Anti-Racism Day in New Mexico was to begin the process to see the end to economic and numerical disparities in New Mexico’s business and governmental infrastructures.
Senator Linda Lopez and Representative Javier Martinez spoke on the ways in which New Mexico’s government would take steps to make racial equality in New Mexico a reality. Both politicians called the individual citizen “the foundation for change.”
Kay Bounkeua, of the New Mexico Asian Family Center, gave a speech on how racism impacts Asian communities and the state as a whole. She also continued the theme of urging action by the individual to quell racism.
“The best thing people can do if they want to get involved in the anti-racism movement is to really be an anti-racist, to actually take action, because silence continues to kill our communities,” she said.
Bounkeua said anyone interested can go online to take a pledge to hold themselves and institutions accountable to hold racist institutions and systems accountable or simply being silent and passive.
“If we don’t speak up, if we don’t do the work, nothing is going to change on a (systematic) level and that’s what we’re fighting for here,” she said.
The pledge can be found at the New Mexico Health Equity Working Group website.
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Evan Barela is a student at the communication and journalism department.
