‘We need to open our eyes’ to racial inequality, says Ridgefield group
RIDGEFIELD – As the sun set over Ballard Park, the melody of “Amazing Grace” permeated a tangible silence. About 45 people followed Ridgefield Chorale artistic director Daniela Sikora as she sang the familiar hymn, which was part of a twilight vigil last week marking the first anniversary of George Floyd’s death.
The evening was hosted by Ridgefield Allies, a community organization founded last spring following the deaths of Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbrey and others at the hands of the police. During the vigil, council members recited the names of more than 20 deceased people in the same way.
In 2020, Allies pledged to take local action in the fight for racial justice. Its aim is to highlight what residents can do to educate, inspire and motivate each other to take action against racism.
After its inception, the organization sponsored a series of events and educational initiatives related to the promotion of racial justice.
“Despite the awareness and constant media attention in the aftermath of last summer, little has changed and (so) much remains to be done,” said Allied Executive Director Alex Harris. “It was important to remind the community to become more vigilant and more active so that we can make the progress that we hope to see.”
Some would say the conviction of Derek Chuavin – the former Minneapolis cop who knelt at Floyd’s neck for nine minutes before his death – was a point of progress, but board member Mark Robinson believes the verdict encourages the ‘bad apple’ narrative.
“There are systemic issues with law enforcement that convicting an individual doesn’t solve anything,” he said. “If we get too satisfied and too complacent… we run the risk of overlooking larger systemic issues.”
The organization shared its message with First Selectman Rudy Marconi and Superintendent Susie Da Silva to ask how the city and schools can engage more effectively in the fight against racism. And while the “substantive change” remains to be seen, Robinson said, having these introspective conversations is a start.
“The George Floyd incident really hit home for a lot of people who might have been willing to sit down,” Marconi said. “The requested change (is) focused on policing, mostly in big cities, but I definitely feel comfortable with our policing.
While acknowledging the predominantly white makeup of the department, Maroni said: “There is no doubt that we need more diversity… but education is also essential.”
The organization has prepared a list of new initiatives to re-engage community members in its advocacy efforts. On its website, visitors can find “Hidden History” entries detailing individuals, institutions, inventions and injustices that the group says have been left out of the history books.
The Allies will also partner with The Ridgefield Playhouse this year to co-host a diversity film festival and offer programming to commemorate June 18th, promote creators of color and continue community outreach.
The goal, explained Harris, is to make visible the centuries of “persistent injustice” against people of color and to work to reduce those boundaries.
“Diversity is important not only for kids who are diverse, but also for those of us who aren’t going through it,” said Kristy Jefferson, board member. “We have to open our eyes to what it is and put ourselves in that place.”
Those interested in volunteering or working with the organization can visit ridgefieldallies.org.