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Dear John,
As you may have heard, on May 16, Missouri was battered by a
debilitating tornado.
Our condolences and hearts go out to those who are now in a state of
recovery from loss of loved ones, property, cherished memories, and
personal security. We are particularly saddened by the devastation in
St. Louis, a city where Race Forward built deep relationships with
residents in communities across the city as we prepared for and hosted
our 2024 Facing Race conference there last year.
While weather emergencies are increasing in both frequency and intensity
due to climate change, recovery remains fraught, especially for
communities of color and persons living in poverty. As an organization
committed to racial equity, we understand the ways in which gaps widen
due to race, socio-economic status and geography
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between those who can adapt and recover and those who cannot.
For instance, after weather events, aid is not always evenly
distributed, nor are directly impacted communities routinely invited to
the table to participate in recovery efforts, and often the very
integrity of the infrastructure of some communities—housing, roads,
drainage systems—reduce resilience and delay recovery.
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Therefore, Race Forward stands in solidarity with and supports recovery
efforts in St. Louis, and we encourage you to join us. The truth is
communities of color, including persons living in or near the poverty
line, often face intersecting oppressions that make navigating crisis
situations challenging. They are least responsible for climate crises,
but suffer disproportionately because of it. Often, when there is a
weather emergency, it is community-based organizations that are the
first on the ground to serve those in need. The same is true for St.
Louis. Grassroots groups have galvanized to provide immediate support
and aid, but their funds are limited, while the needs are exponential.
Particularly vulnerable are senior residents whose lives have been
upended. Some have lived in the community for most of their lifetime and
are now in the position of having to find housing. Their homes have been
destroyed, yet many are experiencing difficulty leaving the place where
they've raised families, built friendships, and created a tapestry of
cherished memories. In the face of unimaginable loss, our elders deserve
dignity, care, and support.
Many St. Louis residents, including seniors, worry that city officials
will use this latest catastrophe as an opportunity to implement plans to
replace affordable housing with luxury homes for the wealthy. Community
members report receiving eviction notices even as they try to make sense
of an event so severe.
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Race Forward is joining our voice with those on the ground to urge not
only a recovery, but an equitable recovery that honors local residents
and helps them rebuild. We acknowledge the resilience shown by so many
in this moment as they are giving their all to support their neighbors.
For our part, Race Forward is donating to support the community
organizations that have been consistently showing up for the people. We
encourage those in our network to contribute directly to the
organizations leading efforts on the ground, including Action St. Louis
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and Better Family Life [[link removed]].
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In solidarity,
Race Forward
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