The events of the past several days make clear that America can no longer turn a blind eye to the effects of hundreds of years of racism on its people.

This is a crisis that needs immediate, ongoing attention including, as a starting point, a recognition on behalf of white leaders and people in this country that racism is real, deep, and structural. It's more than a handful of biased  cops. Anti-black racism is deeply rooted in our systems, our laws and our very attitudes and beliefs. Pleas for calm in this crisis sound empty when unaccompanied by action that matches the reality of our history and the despair evident in the current moment. This country must change. We must expel the stain of slavery that continues to haunt us to this day.