Page 50 - BigConversationsDismantlingRacism

Wanting more - The Sunday sessions ended with participants expressing the desire to
continue the conversation, many stating that they rarely had an opportunity to discuss racism
with the “other” and wanting to learn more.

The Film:

About the topic – This documentary film sets out in graphic detail how racial disparities in
the criminal justice system have served to continue suppression of African Americans
through the present day, especially men, in the same way that “Jim Crow” laws and policies
did after the Civil War.
The data is overwhelming – Most of the audience had no idea that although the U.S. has just
5% of the world's population, 25 percent of the people in the world who are incarcerated are
incarcerated in the U.S. A highly disproportionate number incarcerated in the U.S. are
African American males.

Big business influence – on setting the laws and operating prisons to the extreme detriment
of Blacks and Black men. Laws around penalties for drug use need to be changed and
equitable.

Uncovering the facts. Hearing these stories and understanding the data is critical to
dismantling racism.
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The January 14 Big Conversation:

Need for the truth. The need for a full and accurate history of slavery and racism - a fact-
based history in Calvert and Southern Maryland – for students and adults. We want to
acknowledge and honor Black leaders of the past and present.

Education. There is a need for more education on racism for both children and adults, and it
is important to start early.

Racism continues to exist and never went away. Issues of racism in our communities are
real and current – not in the past.

Taking responsibility. We all should take personal and organized action when racism
occurs– not be silent. Don’t tolerate racism from friends or enemies.
Leadership is critical - Leadership needs to be inclusive, moral and motivated, and have the
courage to address racism. Informed voting is one way to create change.

There are continuing racial disparities in Calvert and St. Mary’s Counties – Including
continuing disparities– in schools, law enforcement, justice, affordable housing, media,
health and business to name a few. How can we address this?

We need to come together and work together more. How can we come together? SMILE
and the Middleham and St. Peter’s food drop are good examples.

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