Debby Weinstein: Why I Race

Why is the YWCA mission to eliminate racism so important? Why do we race to end racism on April 28?

Eliminating racism is vital to the well-being of our community and to every community. Racism is a terrible scourge on our community. I’ve been working my entire career for racial and social justice and I believe with every fiber of my being that we have to eliminate racism now!

Eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all people isn’t just YWCA’s mission, it is my mission too. I’ve seen the effects of racism on my friends. I’ve heard the painful stories of terrible discrimination shared by friends who deserve the same freedom to be judged by their character, not by the color of their skin. It is unacceptable that fifty years after the assassination of Dr. King that racism and hateful rhetoric is exercised blatantly in mainstream media and on the news.

The work YWCA Charleston includes changing hearts and minds to eliminate racism through education about white privilege and implicit bias. This is the first step towards making the changes to create healthy and vibrant communities.

Join me and hundreds of our neighbors who want to lift our community up on April 28 to Race to End Racism. It is incumbent upon all of us to create a world where children are supported to create friendships based upon the content of people’s hearts, rather than the color of their skin.

To join Debby and YWCA Race to End Racism, go to https://www.ywcacharleston.org/race and sign up to walk or run individually or create team.