Linda Tigani’s Statement On Racial Equity On NYC Council Passing Int. No. 242 And 279

Today, Linda Tigani, Chair and Executive Director of the Commission on Racial Equity (CORE) released the following statement.

The statement is regarding the New York City Council’s passing of legislation establishing municipal efforts to acknowledge and address the legacy and impact of slavery and racial injustices in New York City:

“We are not responsible for what breaks us, but we can be responsible for what puts us back together again. Naming the hurt is how we begin to repair our broken parts,” stated Desmund Tutu.

“On September 12, 2024, New York City Council voted in support of legislation to address sets centuries of discriminatory practices against Black New Yorkers and the entire BIPOC community and identify reparative measures to advance healing, racial equity and social justice. 

“Introduction 242-A, sponsored by Council Member Crystal Hudson, would require the NYC Commission on Racial Equity (CORE) to establish a Truth, Healing, and Reconciliation process in connection with the City’s historic involvement in slavery and its present-day legacies. 

“Introduction 279-A, sponsored by Council Member Farah Louis, would require CORE to work with subject-matter experts to study the historical and present-day role of New York City government in perpetrating or perpetuating slavery and related racial injustices, and to consider reparative measures for such injustices. 

“The call for reparations, truth-telling, and healing has not gone unheard. Racial bias, discrimination, and violence against Black New Yorkers and the entire BIPOC community must come to an end. Centuries of deliberate policy decisions that have stripped Black New Yorkers and communities who are oppressed with the ability to thrive must be undone. 

“To achieve justice, we must transform our systems. Our recently established NYC Charter Preamble calls us to “acknowledge[s] the grave injustices and atrocities that form part of our country’s history, including the forced labor of enslaved Africans, the colonialism that displaced Indigenous people from their lands, the devaluing and underpaying of immigrant workers, and the discrimination, racial segregation, mass incarceration, and other forms of violence and systemic inequity that continue to be experienced by marginalized groups.”

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“The Commission on Racial Equity (CORE) does not take this task lightly. We are honored to lead this work in partnership with the community members that continue to fight for reparations, with our city and state leadership, and all who are committed to racial equity and social justice. CORE is committed to ensuring that New Yorkers directly affected by these issues remain at the heart of these processes. 

“Passing Int. No, 242 and 279 is a call to action for all New Yorkers to renew their commitment to racial equity and social justice and to dismantle generational harm. Let us come together to build a greater New York City.”

Read the full release from the New York City Council here.

“To achieve justice, we must transform our systems. Racial bias, discrimination, and violence against Black New Yorkers and the entire BIPOC community must come to an end. We are honored to lead this work in partnership with the community members that continue to fight for reparations, with our city and state leadership, and all who are committed to racial equity and social justice. CORE is committed to ensuring that New Yorkers directly affected by these issues remain at the heart of these processes,” stated Linda Tigani.

NYC Commission on Racial Equity (CORE)

The Commission on Racial Equity (CORE) is a new, independent, 15-member commission responsible for holding government accountable to advancing racial equity in government operations and increasing community voices in government decision making. CORE provides accountability for New Yorkers, regularly evaluating the City’s progress on its racial requirements and goals. Through its mandate, CORE will propose and prioritize community equity goals and outcome measures, advocate for historically underrepresented groups, assess citywide racial equity plans, track compliance, address complaints, and respond to the council inquiries on racial equity concerns. https://www.nyc.gov/content/core/pages/

Photo credit: Desmund Tutu.