The Director of Training and Community Impact for the YWCA of Kalamazoo, Sherry Brockoway, says the conversation about race is alive and well in Kalamazoo, and it’s important to keep it going.
The Stand against Racism will run for 24 hours beginning at noon Friday. At 5:00 Friday organizers hope for a four block line of people holding hands to demonstrate unity.
YWCA Community Education Specialist Demetrias Wolverton says the climate of the country and Southwest Michigan has changed. He says that racial bias has been dealt with in a passive way in recent years. Wolverton says now people are moving outside of their comfort zones.
The YWCA of Kalamazoo recently launched a hotline to report hate crimes. Wolverton says that ties in with the Stand Against Racism. Brockoway says everyone attending the event will be asked to sign a pledge to eliminate racism.