COMMUNITY TAKES STAND AGAINST RACISM
Forum addresses healing racial divides
LANSDALE » For Anwar Muhammad, owner of the Black Reserve Bookstore, the driving inspiration for starting a community dialogue on racism is children, in particular his 12-year-old son, Anwar Muhammad Jr.
“The things my son has had to endure... no 12-year-old should EVER have to experience. Ever. My son Anwar has been attacked verbally, emotionally and even physically in school, with no help until I demanded for something to be done immediately or remove him from the district,” said Muhammad.
On Saturday, May 12, approximately 100 community members filled the Lansdale Borough Hall to take on one of society’s most difficult and complex topics — and ask each other what they can do to foster a more accepting community.
According to the 2010 consensus, Lansdale is 76.3 percent White; 8.9 percent Black or African American; 8.9 percent Asian; 6 percent Hispanic or Latino; 3.3 percent Hawaiian or Pacific Islander; and 0.5 percent is American Indian or Alaska native.
As the number of minorities in the area increases, so do the cases of racial injustices.
“Racism is woven into the fabric of this area. Many in this area have not progressed with time and we are experi-
Lansdale Police Chief Mike Trail “Racism didn’t appear overnight and it’s not going to go away overnight... It is my hope to eradicate it.”
encing its residual effects. I, as well as others, have many stories. The thing about that is that this can be fixed. The willingness to change and follow through must be there. Through these forums we hope to build awareness and help these organizations realize the need for urgent change,” said Muhammad, whose sentiment was echoed by several community members that shared their own stories.
Leading the discussion was a panel of six members of the community — Districts Consultant Dr. Barbara Moore; Anwar Muhammad Jr.; Lansdale Mayor Garry Herbert; Lansdale Police Chief Mike Trail; and Leon Angelichio, democratic candidate for District 53 of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
“Racism didn’t appear overnight and it’s not going to go away overnight. It’s been generational and we’ll work through generations and generations of police officers. It is my hope to eradicate it,” said Trail.
Angelichio told residents to ask themselves, “What do each of us in our own little demographic have the power to do?”
Muhammad is adamant about continuing to hold these forums on racism to keep the momentum going. Muhammad encourages all members of the community to attend, especially those who might be nervous to speak up.
“There is no such thing as a bad or wrong question or expression, especially if it’s out of ignorance. I’d much rather you ask or express yourself and get clarity on the topic then continue to operate within ignorance. This topic trumps nervousness or fear. We must use them to garner the strength to amend that which is broken.”