Community partnership against systemic racism announced
Starkville Stand Up announced a new plan going forward to address systemic racism in the community.
The plan was announced Thursday, with representatives from Mississippi State University, the city of Starkville, the Starkville-oktibbeha Consolidated School District, the Oktibbeha County NAACP, District Attorney Scott Colom and several local legislators present. The announcement was to originally take place June 26, but was pushed back due to the state flag debate underway in Jackson at the time.
Starkville Stand Up Cofounder and Second Baptist Church Pastor Rev. Joseph Stone discussed the five-year plan unveiled at the rally. He said the plan was to help legitimize the organization, following its formation for the rally it hosted June 6.
“The first year will be a review of policy across the board, city policy, school district, hiring practices, those types of things,” Stone said. “We can look at any discrepancies or inequities that are there. We’ll report on recommendations to address those policies, anything that will help bring equity and equality.”
He said MSU’S data science resources would be used to help see what progress was actually being made as the plan went on.
“Also in the first year, we’ll be working on a curriculum to address systemic racism that can be used for city employees, school district employees, university employees, as well as a curriculum for students in the (school district),” Stone said. “Also, we will have a group that will be doing town hall lectures, bringing in possibly national guests to speak on systemic racism and
hosting political debates.”
Stone said the organization would continue to meet with the others in the coalition.
“From there, working committees will be formed, and then we’ll start the work,” Stone said.
He also said he was glad that the group had actually lasted past the initial demonstration it was formed to support.
“Going back to June 6, when we all collaborated to pull off a pretty powerful demonstration, I think God gave light to what could happen when we all work together,” Stone said. “I feel really good about what we’ve done. Across the nation, I haven’t seen anyone working like this after a demonstration. We’re hoping that we can be a model, not just for this area, but hopefully across the nation to bring people to make real change.
MSU President Mark Keenum spoke to the importance of Mississippi State’s role in the group. He said the university tried its hardest to be a welcoming place for all, but emphasized that there was still work to be done.
“There is valuable, important work to be done on the vital issue of racial reconciliation, and I’m committed to putting my shoulder to the wheel of crafting and implementing meaningful solutions,” Keenum said. “The townand-gown relationship between MSU, the city and county is vital to accomplishing those goals.”
Starkville Mayor Lynn Spruill spoke to the city’s commitment to the cause.
“Clearly, there is momentum in our community for substantive, sustainable change on a number of fronts, but the core is confronting racism and genuinely seeking reconciliation,” Spruill said. “Our city, our police force, and the rest of our local government organizations are ready to begin that work.”