Over 1,200 Business leaders in Columbus City threw their weight behind a resolution the city passed Monday that declared racism a public health crisis.
“We support the resolution because we are profoundly outraged and heartbroken that our fellow citizens continue to see themselves in the anguished face of George Floyd pleading for air under the knee of a white man sworn to protect; hear themselves in the nervous voice of Christian Cooper, a bird-watcher whose skin tone is suddenly used to falsely suggest he is a threat; and in, the experiences of countless more Americans of color, so frequently demeaned, threatened and physically harmed,” the letter says; adding:
We are proud to call the City of Columbus home – and prouder still that Columbus is coming together to find ways to deal unflinchingly with the role racism plays in undermining public health, and seeking solutions for what have felt for too long like intractable issues.
Democrats, Republicans and Independents endorsed the document to show their support for the resolution.
Business leaders who signed acknowledge there is work that needs to be done by their organizations and leadership.
“We believe in and will work for an America that can – and must- do far better to provide basic human rights protections, create a level playing field, and easier paths to the American dream,” the statement says. “We believe this resolution is an important step in recognizing the need for change.”
John Lowe, the CEO of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams who started the letter supporting the resolution, told The Columbus Dispatch that he was surprised by the amount of support the letter has received.
“I was blown away by the Columbus community rallying around us,” he said. “I thought it was important for business leaders to step up and speak out. If ever there was a time to be inclusive, it is now.”
Columbus City Council is the second government entity in Ohio to declare racism a public health crisis. Franklin County was the first to do so in May, The Dispatch reported.
At the state level, Ohio Democrats introduced legislation that declared racism a public health crisis.
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Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of Star News Digital Media. If you have any tips, email Zachery at [email protected]. Follow Zachery on Twitter @zacheryschmidt2.
Photo “Columbus City Council Meeting” by the Columbus City Council.
