September 2020: United Racial Equality Month

WHEREAS, racism, both institutional and systemic, harms individuals and communities and depletes the strength of a society as a whole; and,

WHEREAS, racism has existed in America for over 400 years and remains a presence in American society through inequitable outcomes in the criminal justice system, achievement gaps in education, disproportionate results in health and infant mortality, and job and housing discrimination for people of color; and,

WHEREAS, the eradication of racism and discrimination requires proactive efforts to achieve racial justice, including the creation and reinforcement of policies, practices, attitudes, and actions that produce equitable power, access, opportunity, treatment, and outcomes for all people regardless of race; and,

WHEREAS, we must look beyond the color of one’s skin, learn the struggles each of us face, and actively seek out ways to help and support each other; and,

WHEREAS, we must recognize implicit bias and harmful stereotypes for what they are and work to combat the biases that exist within each of us; and,

WHEREAS, we must each do our part to actively combat racism and make our state a tolerant and welcoming place for all; and,

WHEREAS, in August, I declared racism as a public health crisis in Michigan and committed our state to addressing the impact that racism has on the lives of millions of  Michiganders and its impact on overall public health;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim September 2020 as United Racial Equality Month in Michigan.