In Harlem, Clinton proposes plan to combat racial inequality
Hillary Clinton, citing a lingering “reality of systemic racism” in America, called for a comprehensive approach to battling racial inequity on Tuesday that goes beyond changes to the criminal justice system.
The Democratic presidential hopeful unveiled a multipronged effort, including job investments, equal pay for women of color and ending what is for many young black men a school- to- prison pipeline.
She began her speech in Harlem by highlighting the water crisis in Flint, Mich., where children have been poisoned by lead- laced water because “their governor wanted to save a little money,” Clinton said.
“It was not a coincidence that this was allowed to happen in a largely black,” poor community, she said. “There are many Flints across our country, places where people have been ... left behind.” She cited schools that are more segregated now than in 1968 and the fact that blacks are three times as likely to be denied a mortgage.
Clinton’s speech is among the most forceful on race she has given, and she sought to draw a distinction with Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who has campaigned on an economic justice platform. Clinton said the nation’s challenges aren’t just rooted in economic inequality but are “problems of racial inequality, and we’ve got to say that loudly and clearly.
“It’s absolutely critical to me that we look at the full array of issues that do stand in the way,” Clinton said after meeting with Cornell Brooks, head of the NAACP, Marc Morial, president of the National Urban League, and others.