Please take a moment to listen to this June 3, 2020 impactful message from City of Knoxville Community Empowerment Director Charles F. Lomax, Jr. Transcript is provided below video.
In the days following the death of George Floyd, we have witnessed a wave of emotions flooding across our country as the video of his cries for air found its way into each of our homes. Anger, animosity, fear and deep sense of sadness are but a few of the sentiments most Americans, but especially Blacks, are feeling at the moment. These emotions are not only justified, but should, for us, serve as a catalyst for collective change as we wrestle with the question, “where do we go from here?”
Our county and our communities are currently reeling from longstanding self-inflicted wounds that have never been allowed to properly heal. Black people are tired. During a time when COVID-19 is mercilessly reminding us of the disparities found within Black and Brown communities, we must now (again) also combat the reality that those entrusted to serve and protect occasionally terrorize and intimidate.
Sadly, Mr. Floyd’s is just the latest name on a growing list of unarmed black men and women whose life was needlessly cut short at the hands of law enforcement officers who abused their power. George Floyd should still be alive, as should Tamir Rice, Philando Castile, Eric Garner, Sandra Bland, Walter Scott, Botham Jean, Atatiana Jefferson and countless others.
The death of George Floyd at the hands of Minnesota Police Officer, Derek Chauvin, is a sober reminder that racial bias and inequities are still present, if not prevalent, in many of our policing practices and policies. While police brutality is not isolated to any specific race or ethnicity, history has demonstrated time and time again that communities of color are disproportionately the recipients of discriminatory practices, and the time has long passed for this to end.
As we collectively grieve and mourn the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery, we must also ensure that injustices of this magnitude are eradicated and never take root in the City of Knoxville. The Department of Community Empowerment is committed to ensuring that all Knoxvillians, regardless of race, ethnicity or nationality, are treated in an equitable and just manner. We stand ready to engage in the difficult conversations and to push for policy changes that will finally help us achieve “liberty and justice for all.”
The Office of Neighborhood Empowerment, the Police and Advisory and Review Committee (PARC) and our Office of Diversity and Equity will be reviewing our respective policies to ensure best practices are being followed as we seek to be part of a greater solution. We will engage the members of our various committees as well as the public so that all voices and perspectives are being taken into consideration. Our efforts coupled with those of community activists, faith leaders, elected officials and concerned citizens can truly be the difference maker if we’re willing to work together.
Even while we grieve, we press forward knowing that we must because at the end of the day, it might just save a life.