On MLK Day, remember that justice is nonnegotiable

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

These words from Martin Luther King, Jr. still ring loud and true. And, while we have made progress as a community and a nation, it’s just not enough. Justice has to be chased every single day, and we, the South Florida community, must be unyielding in our action against systemic racism and its enduring legacy of suffering and inequality.

Our work is a 365-day-walk. Entering Black History Month in February should be a reminder that the struggle to end racism is centuries old. It is punctuated by repeated calls for advancement and unity and burdened with heartbreaking setbacks. We need only look at the violent riots at the Capitol in Washington, D.C. to understand how persistent racism is and how much work remains to be done.

The push for racial justice is complex. Progress must never stop, as too many have sacrificed in the face of great odds and widespread denial of the movement. I want each of you to feel empowered to stand up for what’s right and just. I want each of you to walk the path of greater awareness and mutual understanding. I want each of you to join me as we work together to end racism. However, this requires us to be audacious enough to believe there can be an end.

The stakes for our own community are high. Nearly 37% of individuals and families in Broward County earn less than the basic cost of living, according to the United Way of Broward County’s 2019 ALICE report, and a disproportionately high number of those families are Black and Hispanic. These financial hardships lead to unequal access to health care, education, housing and wealth, in great part due to years of systemic racism. Throw in leadership, policies and laws that perpetuate poverty and racial inequity, and it feels like walking uphill with water rushing at us.

Ultimately, ending racism is our responsibility. To even envision an end to racism, we must normalize justice in everyday life, from the boardroom and the classroom to the dining room table. We must walk in the shoes of others and have uncomfortable conversations to create common understanding.

Ongoing learning is just the beginning. Ending racism requires consistent action, individually and collectively. Individuals, local organizations, businesses, government leaders and public agencies must put real time and resources to reset policy and practices. That’s the easy part. The hard part comes with bold leadership and personal accountability to adjust expectations and attitudes and build belonging in places where there’s none.

At YWCA South Florida, we are not just an organization. We are a movement. Last year, we celebrated 100 years of promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all and working tirelessly to confront racial inequality.

We launched “Until Justice Just Is,” a campaign to further the mission with promises to educate, engage and activate around issues of racism. That campaign is ongoing, and we invite individuals and companies to take the Until Justice Just Is Pledge to demonstrate their commitment to advance racial justice in their home, workplace and broader community.

Throughout 2021, YWCA South Florida will undertake a yearlong journey in justice. Justice and change are tangible when people feel seen, have access to resources and are given fair opportunities. So, from a library of resources, series of educational webinars, trainings and storytelling, and Shop BOLD, our curated online directory showcasing minority-owned businesses across South Florida, we will democratize the process.

By overwhelming request, February 15 to March 15, the organization will relaunch a rebooted version of YWCA South Florida’s 21-Day Racial Equity and Social Justice Challenge, based on the idea that it takes 21 days to create a habit.

Until justice just is, we will unite and work toward a future where equity and justice are nonnegotiable.